Which Type of Milk Is Right for Your Child?

Milk is an important source of vitamins and minerals, but don't make it a source of too much fat! Whole milk is roughly equivalent to 4% fat and is appropriate for toddlers and for people who are having trouble getting all the fat and calories they need. But at 9 grams of fat per cup and 160 calories, it's not the best choice for most school-age kids and teens, especially those who are already taking in more fat and calories than they need.

With half the fat of whole milk, 2% milk has two-thirds of the calories. This reduction in calories might be appropriate for your toddler. Ask your pediatrician to look at your child's growth chart and let you know if it is all right to change over from whole milk.

Nonfat milk has no fat and half the calories of whole milk! This is the right choice for most adults and older children.

More on: Healthy Meals for Families

Excerpted from:

From Raising Healthy Eaters: 100 Tips for Parents by Henry Legere, M.D. Copyright © 2004. Used by arrangement with The Perseus Books Group.

To order this book visit perseusbooksgroup.com.