5 Ways to include more milk in children diet

Before few days i met 5 year old anshu who was coming back from dentist clinic with his mommy.All of sudden his one tooth broke and he started crying with pain. After consulting dentist Anshu got medicines for paining tooth but also dentist suggested the reason of broken tooth as "Calcium deficiency".Calcium supplements were prescribed by dentist for anshu's calcium deficiency.

But  anshu's  mommy  was quite worried  as she told me that anshu dose not like milk so he hardly takes it , also he dose not like many of the dairy products so this might be the reason of calcium deficiency. Many kids face calcium deficiency in young age . If more calcium rich food included in diet then this problem can be avoided.

Milk is very important for child's overall development. Its rich source of protein ,calcium and calories It is fortified with vitamin D . With balanced diet these essential nutrients in milk are necessary for growing kids .

But many kids don't like milk and they refuse to drink it. When kids are doing so try to find out exact reason if it is taste of milk ,smell of milk ,color of milk And then work on that exact dislike because of  which he/she was not taking milk. If  its taste of milk then then alter it by adding other ingredients like cardamom gives nice aroma so add pinch of cardamom powder in milk . If reason is taste then change it by adding other ingredients like chocolate syrup , strawberry syrup, any flavor health drink powder or just dry fruits ( Almonds / cashews ) powder . It the reason is color of milk then change it again with above ingredients or just add 2 strands of saffron . Include more milk while cooking meals in some or other way.So mommy don't be worried just try some fun recipes with milk as a option to milk and enjoy them with kids .

Following are some ways to include more milk and more dairy in kids diet.

1. Milk in deserts

Deserts have inseparable place in every house . Occasions might be festivals ,celebrations, guests , holidays ,weekends or without occasion as well deserts are made. While making deserts at home intentionally prefer deserts with milk (like semolina halawa ,carrots halawa , lauki halawa ) .

Try making all simple and easy to make deserts like different types of kheer / Porridge ( like rice kheer , semai kheer , almond kheer ,dry fruit kheer, Basundi , Rabadi or any other choice of kheer / Porridge ).

Initially kids may hesitate but slowly they will start enjoying milk deserts . Use saffron strands , gulkand for changing /hiding color of milk deserts like kheer .

2. Milk in roti /bread

Why not to try Dashmi (Type of roti)or milk roti instead of plain roti. Dashmi is type of roti made using milk and wheat flour. For making milk roti just add milk while kneading dough for rotis. Try using milk instead of water or milk and water mixture while baking breads .Milk breads will be softer and tastier too.

3. Milk in snacks

Make shankarpale /shakkarpare using milk along with all purpose flour ,Bake cupcakes , cakes , milk biscuits , cookies using milk . These snacks are loved by kids so good way to give milk in them.

4. Ice creams

Kids love ice creams so whenever possible give ice cream.Instead of giving ready made ice creams from market prefer giving home made ice creams .Any fresh fruit ice cream or dry fruits ice cream are quick recipes .Make ice creams in large quantity and store it in freezer.

5. Milk in beverages

To avoid plain milk start making variety of milkshakes using available fruits. To encourage kids, elders in family should drink milkshakes appreciating its taste . Kids follow elders so may start drinking milkshakes. Also try variety of glasses ( plastic colorful glasses, Different shape glasses ) for offering these milkshakes. Try fruits like banana ,strawberry ,chicoo mango to make milkshakes Almond flavoured, saffron milk are also handy options for plain milk.

6. Other dairy products

Use milk cream in smoothies or deserts .Make cheese recipes like home made pasta ,pizza , cheese sandwiches for including more cheese. For using more curd ,flavoured yoghurts or lassi ( Sweet buttermilk with more butter )or masala buttermilk are options .Paneer dishes are also

great source of protein and moreover tasty too. Use paneer (Cottage cheese ) for making paneer recipes like paratha / sandwiches / rice / biryani / deserts .

 photo credit: Liquid Motion - Strawberry & Milk via photopin (license)