There is no debate about the importance and benefits of milk, which makes it less of a surprise that infants live solely on milk for the first six months of their lives before complementary feeding kicks in. If you ask yourself why the nutritious beverage is widely consumed across all ages and why fortified milk like NIDO Fortigrow, in particular, is the most recommended, then let us enlighten you.
It is already given that proper nutrition is crucial for optimal growth and development. Children in particular have higher nutritional needs than adults and are often at risk of micronutrient deficiencies as they get introduced to different foods and many develop picky eating habits at a young age.
Unfortified cow milk is rich in Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Protein, but it is relatively low in certain micronutrients that are important for growth and development, like Iron, which is the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world and around 40% of school-aged children in the Middle East suffer from Iron deficiencies. So you need to differentiate between unfortified and fortified milk, as only milk powder has all the benefits of milk fortification; not all milk provides the nutrition that a school kid needs.
Among the regionally relevant deficiencies, Vitamin D always tops the chart across all ages and is rising up to 75% among school-aged children specifically. Here’s where fortified milk comes in, as it can play a major role in closing these nutritional gaps in children’s diets as it provides micronutrients that address regional deficiencies and cover the needs of school-aged kids.
Fortification offers school-aged kids what they need to support three main health pillars. Firstly, it supports physical growth by providing high-quality Proteins, Calcium, and Vitamin D to support bone and muscle growth and development. Secondly, it provides immune system-supporting vitamins and minerals such as Zinc, Vitamins A, and C to help protect kids as they explore the world around them. Lastly, it supports cognitive development by providing school-aged kids with Iron which supports their brain and cognitive functions, and a variety of B vitamins that help keep them active and focused throughout their learning years.
We hope that by now you know all you need to about fortified milk and the added nutritional value it can bring to your child’s diet. It is crucial to nourish children with not just love, but also the right healthy food choices to ensure they grow and develop properly.