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Dairy
Milk and dairy products have a lot of calcium in each serving and are important sources of protein, B vitamins such as riboflavin and B12, and minerals such as calcium, zinc and magnesium. Just a few glasses can go a long way toward giving children the calcium they need each day. Making milk the standard drink with meals throughout childhood and adolescence, and even through the adult years, is a great way to help get enough calcium.
Milk also has other vitamins and minerals that are good for bones and teeth. One especially important nutrient is vitamin D, which helps the body absorb more calcium. Calcium is critical to our health because it helps to build strong bones and teeth. And calcium is most important during the childhood and teen years when it can have the most impact on growing bones. Even though calcium is very important, studies show that most children and teens are not getting enough of it in their diets. Only about half of children 5 years and under get enough calcium in their diets. Milk also provides other nutrients essential for bone health, including potassium and magnesium.
Low-fat (1 percent) and fat-free milk and dairy products also have little or no fat. That means it's easy for children and teens to get enough calcium without adding extra fat to their diets. However, babies under one year old should drink only breast milk or iron-fortified formula. Children ages one to two should drink whole milk rather than reduced-fat varieties. Between the ages two and five, parents should gradually move their children to reduced-fat, low-fat, or fat-free milk.
Source: National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, http://www.nichd.nih.gov/milk/whymilk/background.cfm
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