Young children need fat because it is an important source of energy and so full-fat dairy products are fine. As they grow and eat larger volumes of food, moving onto lower-fat dairy products would be better unless a child is involved in high levels of sports or other such activities that need extra energy. Let them have full-fat milk and dairy products at least up to the age of five. Low-fat dairy products have just as much calcium as full-fat, and may have higher amounts of protein per gram. Children need calcium for growing bones and teeth. Milk and dairy products are an excellent source of protein, providing almost all of the essential building blocks that they need in the diet. Children need to have around a pint of milk per day, including milk to drink, on cereals or mixed in other foods, plus cheese, or yoghurt.
