Dietary intake of milk and other dairy foods can be increased by using them to prepare tasty and nutritious dishes and snacks, such as milk custards and cheese sandwiches. Milk or water are preferred drinks for growing children rather than sweetened cordials or fruit juice. Higher levels of fruit juice intake in young children are associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, diarrhoea and tooth decay. Excessive juice ingestion may lead to failure to thrive. Most children like the taste of milk and enjoy the large range of other flavoured dairy foods such as yogurt, cheese and ice cream.
Milk is a good easy source of nutrients when children are 'fussy eaters'.
Low fat diets are not suitable for young children Children under five years need the fat and vitamin A content of regular milk and other dairy products for energy, development and growth. The 'Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents' produced by the National Health and Medical Research Council, state that low fat and skim milks are not recommended for children under five years of age. Children below five should be given regular milk. Dietary restriction may be necessary in very overweight children over five years of age. This should only be carried out under strict supervision with a qualified dietition or doctor.