Building Kids Bone Bank: An Important Role for Moms

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and it’s time to celebrate Mom’s many roles from carpool queen, to coach, to counselor, to chef. Is there anything a mom can’t do? Having a toddler myself, often my biggest mom challenge is convincing my two-year-old to eat healthy foods. To me, that task alone merits a Mother’s Day celebration!

As a registered dietitian, I know how important it is to start healthy habits early. Putting whole grains, dairy, lean protein, fruits, and vegetables on your child’s plate will help steer their preferences to healthy foods later in life. More importantly, the nutrients found in these foods will benefit their growing bodies, especially when it comes to bone health.

According to the NIH, osteoporosis has been called “a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences” because up to 90% of peak bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys. Yet, according to a recent survey by The Dairy Alliance, only 50% of parents think that drinking cow’s milk regularly as a child will help fight osteoporosis later in life. This is simply not the case. Serving the health benefits of dairy with milk in your children’s meals is an easy and effective way to ensure they are getting the calcium, vitamin D, and protein they need to build strong bones and help prevent bone disease later in life.

Cheese is another easy, bone-building addition to your child’s meals, and according to a study in the Journal of Child Nutrition, when paired with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, cheese may help kids eat more of these food groups. A double win for moms of picky eaters!

Try our new Cheesy Stuffed Meatball Cups paired with a glass of milk for an easy bone-boosting meal your kids will love. And don’t forget to relax and enjoy your Mother’s Day weekend. You deserve it, Mom!

Laura Marbury, MS, RDN, LD