Maximising calories without milk

[akent]

Following on from my yogurt thread yesterday (and many thanks for the advice), we have decided to give dd a break from cows milk. I will still give her yogurt and cheese. I'm wary that she may not be getting enough calories. Our dietician initial said we give kids milk for calcium, but then changed her mind and said they need the fat and protein. I know I can get calcium into her but I'm a bit concerned about the fat and protein.

How much yogurt and cheese would cover her? What other foods would you reccommend to give her lots of fat?

We are considering a soya formula but I have my reservations about soya and she wouldn't drink cows milk formula so I'm not convinced she'd drink it.

She is 13.5 months.

[gingermonkey]

You can build her protein up with plenty of meat and eggs. I'm lactose intolerent and I found soya really hard to get used to. I just can't drink it! DH quite likes it and will often order a coffee made with soya, even though he's fine with milk. I'm not sure how much calcium she'd need, but babies over 1 should drink at least 14 fl oz of milk a day, which actually isn't that much. My 16 mth ds probably has double that. Naturally calcium rich foods are; green leafy veg (cabbage, kale, spinach), molasses, pichards, sardines (tinned are fine for both of these), tofu (if fortified), fromage frais, cheese (obviously!!!) And make sure she has plenty of cereal for breakfast, give it to her dry if you are not using milk at all. She would be fine with rice crispies at 13 mths, they mush up quite quickly in the mouth. Cereals are a good way of getting extra vitamins into her system. And you can also get bottled water fortified with calcium and juice too. My daughter is not a big milk drinker so we try and get calcium down her as much as possible! Good luck! (Did Yeo valley get back to you yesterday?)

[gingermonkey]

Sorry, forgot about the fat!!!! As long as she has a good balanced diet she should be fine with the fat that occurs naturally in food. Concentrate on the healthy fats, like the ones in oily fish. Oily fish is recommended at least once a week, so up it to at least 2 or 3 times a week. You can give flaxseed oil as a supplement, add it to warm drinks or food. Another thing about fats, too much saturated fat can be contributory in asthma and eczema so try and concentrate on the good fats.
If it was me I'd make sure she had at least one portion of cheese a day, such as a sandwich or if she isn't great with chewing, some soft cheese and bread sticks, a yoghurt after lunch and one after dinner (or a fromage frais) and fish every other day (tuna, mackerel, sardines - make fish cakes, or tomato sauce for pasta and mix some fish in), with meat of some kind every other day.

[MrsBadger]

Avocado, adding olive oil to things, coconut milk / cream / oil, peanut butter if you have no allergy issues, cashew nut butter if you do, houmous, tahini...

I'm sure I've seen thread or two on this recently - one here ...

[astronomer]

Tinned fish is very good if you mash the bones up with it, the bones are very soft as the canning process is at very high temperature to sterilize everything.

DS wouldn't touch milk of any form as an older baby and toddler, (didn't like bottles) but would eat tinned salmon and cheese. However as soon as he reached 13 he began downing a pint a day as he shot up to six feet tall it was like a craving for him as if his body was desparate for the calcium

[akent]

Thanks. I was thinking a portion of cheese and two lots of yogurt would probably do it. She loves fish and always gets sardines for tea if she's refused her yogurt at lunch. Meat is a bit more hit and miss. Unfortunatly she is very definately allergic to eggs.

A one year old needs 350mg of calcium and 200ml of milk provides 240mg (as does fortified rice milk/soya milk). She's fine for calcium, it's just the fat I'm more concerned about.

If she was refusing her milk I don't think anyone would worry but because I'm actively taking it away I feel I'm responsible for replacing it with something.

No news from Yeo Valley yet.

[akent]

Thanks for the link, I will peruse after playgroup!

She won't eat avocado, no nuts due to allergies and she won't eat houmous (even though me and her dad live on the stuff - what's wrong with the child!!)

[gingermonkey]

My ds is very hit and miss with meat too. But it is a strange texture so I can understand why he has a problem. I've found minced meat (whatever type) is the best way to get him to eat it. And usually disguised with sauce! If she is good at eating sardines you are on to a winner!!!! Mine is also not much of a fish eater - I'm hoping it's a phase because he used to be so good! Good luck with it, you are obviously very aware of her needs so I'm sure she'll be fine. Kids can survive on all sorts of rubbish and grow into giants! I think we all worry too much sometimes, I know I do!

[PrisonerCellBlockAitch]

is that you, moomin?

[akent]

Yes, Aitch, 'tis me!

[Moomin]

ay? Just came to have a look at thread and now am having out of body experience

[PrisonerCellBlockAitch]

do-de-doo-doo, do-de-doo-do... [twilight zone]



"Picture a woman... or should that be two moomins?"

[MrsBadger]

meatballs / sausages / homemade nuggets all worth a bash too.