Milk provides energy, protein, and some vitamins and minerals. However, if children only drink milk, they will not receive all the necessary nutrient groups. A child's nutritional needs must be met from various food groups.

Breakfast provides energy for children after a night's sleep and helps them maintain activity during school. Parents should combine milk with other foods to ensure breakfast includes carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals from vegetables or fruits.

If children do not have much time for breakfast, parents can choose simple, easy-to-eat options such as egg sandwiches, steamed buns, porridge, cereals, or fruits combined with milk. This ensures children get a nutritious breakfast without taking too much time.

Besides milk, children should combine other foods in the morning to get enough energy. Photo: Ly Nguyen.

Besides milk, children should combine other foods in the morning to get enough energy. Photo: Ly Nguyen.

Parents should also avoid forcing children to eat too much immediately after waking up. If children frequently do not want to eat breakfast, parents can adjust their sleep and wake-up times to allow them enough time to eat before school.

When choosing milk or milk drinks, parents should read nutrition labels, paying special attention to the sugar content and balancing it with the child's total daily food intake.

If children frequently only drink milk in the morning, parents should monitor their diet during the remaining meals to ensure the total intake meets nutritional needs. If a child experiences prolonged poor appetite, poor growth, or shows signs of nutrient deficiency, they should be taken for a medical examination. A diverse diet, appropriate for the child's age and needs, is the foundation for ensuring their nutrition and healthy growth.

Tran Pham Thuy Hoa, Nutritionist

Department of Nutrition, Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi