Dairy alternatives for kids

With the school year starting (my little brother in Illinois starts tomorrow: hi Thomas!), I’m hearing a lot about milk when it comes to keeping kids on a healthy eating track. Milk in your breakfast oatmeal (packs an added protein punch you don’t get from water), to send in lunches (vitamin D for these recess-deprived kids), to serve with dinner (guaranteed calcium for those who pick over their broccoli).

So yes, milk can do a lot for you, nutritionally, and yes, I personally love it. (Organic, of course, and with omega-3s, like Horizon and Organic Valley.) But not all our KIWI readers are milk-loving households. Allergies and other concerns mean a lot of you are passing by the milk and trying to figure out what to buy instead. Besides soy, one of the most common alternatives, here are a few options:

* Goat milk. For those allergic to cow’s milk but not opposed to drinking animal milk, goat milk is a great choice. Actually, it’s a great choice anyway: It has more calcium than cow’s milk, and can be easier for some people to digest. Check out Meyenberg, which you can get in whole or low fat.

* Coconut milk. Your kid might not be into drinking this straight or in cereal, but it’s perfect in cooking and desserts—like ice cream. Ever tried Coconut Bliss (it’s organic!)? School may be starting, but it’s always a good time for ice cream.

*B.R.A.T drink. You may have heard of the Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast diet for kids who aren’t feeling well (though the AAP doesn’t recommend it instead of a normal diet, long-term), and the Organic B.R.A.T drink is perfect for kids with a tummy ache or the flu. But it’s also a good alternative to milk for calcium, and kids can drink it any day with their meals, not just when they’re sick (I’ve tried it and it tastes good, don’t worry).

What do you use instead of milk?

—Sarah, KIWI editorial director

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