Milk is not a substitute for children's main food, this is the explanation of a nutritionist

Illustration of drinking milk. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - In many households, milk is often seen as a practical alternative to food, especially when children have difficulty eating. Not a few mothers choose to give milk so that their children can still get nutritional intake, even without eating the main meal.

However, this assumption needs to be straightened out so that children's diets remain balanced and support their optimal growth and development.

Nutritionist from the Indonesian Sports Nutritionist Association (ISNA), Dr. Rita Ramayulis, DCN, M.Kes reminded that milk should not be positioned as a substitute for a child's main meal.

Rita said milk has a position that can be consumed as part of a complete meal, especially in the morning, or as a snack.

"Even if the child likes milk, parents still have to condition that the child must eat a complete meal when eating the main meal, for example, a complete meal at noon. But don't let it be positioned so that milk replaces a complete meal, it's not like that," said Rita, as quoted by ANTARA.

He explained that milk plays a role as a complement to the main food because it contains protein and calcium. However, if the child's eating needs are completely replaced with milk, it has the potential to cause certain nutritional deficiencies.

"There is no fiber and also the balance between carbohydrates, proteins, fats and micronutrients is not created if you only consume liquid food. And of course the digestive process in the body is also not good if you only receive liquid food," he said.

The postgraduate lecturer of the Public Health Master's Program at Faletehan University added that children are at an important phase in learning and forming eating habits. Therefore, the role of parents is very crucial in guiding children to get used to the right eating patterns.

Parents are also urged to be more careful in handling children's nutrition at home, especially for children who tend to prefer milk over main meals. One approach that can be done is to agree on a menu with the child and modify it to suit the taste while still being nutritious.

"Give the main meal first, then when the interval what is still missing in the main meal, for example, children do not get calcium, protein, then milk can complement as a snack food along with other foods, for example, fruit," explained the nutritionist graduate from the University of Indonesia.