ORGANIC MILK HELPS MUMS RAISE HEALTHY KIDS
This press release was posted on : 21st March 2002
With nearly half the baby food sold in the UK being organic and the market set to grow further still, it is evident that many mothers are keen to give their babies an organic start in life. However, when it comes to taking the next important step after weaning, there is little advice available to parents on how to continue with an organic diet that is both nutritious and appealing to young children.
To help address this need, Britains organic dairy farmers (in the guise of OMSCo, The Organic Milk Suppliers Co-operative) have teamed up with nutritionist and State Registered Dietician, Sian Porter, to produce some easy tips on how to incorporate organic milk, cheese, yoghurts, and fromage frais into a childs diet. Dairy products provide essential nutrients for growing children, who need two to three servings from this food group each day.
According to Sian Porter, if parents choose to feed their children organic food, using organic milk is an easy choice to help maintain a healthy, balanced, organic diet. And they should aim for a pint of milk a day. Many of the reasons that influence mothers to feed their babies organic baby food are still relevant when the time comes for growing children to join in with family meals. Pesticides and GM-food are still two sensitive areas for mothers.
Sian, herself a mother, explains more: With organic milk, parents can be confident that they are minimising exposure to chemical residues and associated health risks. Organic milk comes from cows that are not fed GM feed, and do not graze on pastures sprayed with artificial pesticides. These ten top tips have been created to show parents what choice they have and to suggest simple ways to prepare organic food that is tasty and fun.
Top Organic Tips for Toddlers by Sian Porter
1. Some milkmen can deliver organic milk to your doorstep. Contact your local milkman so your children can wake up to organic milk.
2. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Use organic milk with their breakfast cereal and try organic yoghurts and fromage frais as a delicious topping also good with fruit. Look out for organic kids ranges of fruit yoghurts or fromage frais!
3. British organic cheese makes an ideal in between meal snack with savoury crackers or bread.
4. Give your child organic milk to drink. Milk is tooth friendly - ask your dentist! Try to keep drinks to meal times. Too many drinks will fill up your child, leaving no room for food.
5. All children like party food. Cube organic cheese and thread onto sticks with pineapple or grapes.
6. Remember, even with organic milk, children less than two years old should have full cream (silver top) as semi-skimmed milk doesnt have enough calories. If your child is growing well and eating well, semi-skimmed milk can be given after their second birthday.
7. Skimmed milk should never be given to children under five years, as it is too low in energy (calories).
8. Organic milk costs more to produce so costs a little more to buy but its a small price to pay for the assurance it gives. The more you buy, the cheaper it is, so look in the supermarket for the four pint bottles which are handy and cost effective.
9. Try to include 2-3 servings of milk and dairy foods per day. These foods provide calories, protein, vitamins and minerals (especially calcium which is essential for healthy bones and teeth) and form one of the four key food groups that young children need to make up a healthy, balanced diet.
10. Warm organic milk makes a soothing bed time drink.
NB: remember cows milk must not be given to babies under 12 months. They should be breast-fed or if this is not possible, given infant formula.
Sian Porters Easy Organic Recipes for Kids
Raspberry milkshake
Children love milkshakes and mums love the fact that they're so nutritious. Cut down on sugar by using real fruit rather than syrup. A delicious scoop of creamy organic vanilla ice cream adds that something extra.
Put a handful of fresh organic raspberries, a couple of scoops of organic vanilla ice cream and ice-cold full cream organic milk into a food processor. Whizz until smooth. Pour into a glass or beaker and enjoy! Other seasonal fruits can be used or as a special treat, use exotic fruits such as mango or papaya for a tropical taste!
Quick macaroni cheese
Cook macaroni or pasta shapes. Drain and return to the hot pan. Add grated organic cheese and a couple of tablespoons of organic fromage frais or thick cream and stir over low heat until cheese has melted. Yum!
Creamy cinnamon rice pudding
Stir one pint of organic milk, ¾ pint organic cream, 175g / 6oz sugar, the zest and juice of one orange and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon in a pan over a low heat until the sugar is dissolved, then allow the milk mixture to come just to the boil.
Spread the pudding rice in the bottom of a shallow, buttered ovenproof dish and pour over the milk mixture. Stir to coat all the rice in the milk mixture, then cook for approx 1 hour, stirring once during the cooking time. The pudding will be done when the rice is tender and creamy and most of the liquid is absorbed.
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For more information contact: Anisa Daniels/Becky Feltham/Katy Bedingfield at Grayling Public Relations on 0117 922 7799
OMSCo was formed in 1994 when five like-minded
organic dairy farmers joined forces to sell their organic milk. Now with around 500 members, OMSCo is the largest and longest established UK organic milk supplier.