Best milks for childcare menus

Milk, and other dairy foods, are important for children. Milk provides growing bodies with protein, carbohydrate and fat as well as important vitamins and minerals such as calcium, and B vitamins.

But many of us are concerned about the environmental impacts of animal farming or have concerns about animal welfare.

Are plant milks nourishing enough to replace cow’s milk on childcare menus?

To be a good cow’s milk replacement for children, a plant milk needs to provide the same amounts of protein and calcium as cow’s milk. Unfortunately, not all do!

We have compared the most common types of milks we see on childcare menus based on their nutritional value. We have also made some recommendations for how to increase your use of plant milks in your service.

Cow’s milk and calcium fortified soy milk are the most nourishing milks.

Data reference: Food Standards Australia New Zealand.(2022). Australian Food Composition Database – Release 2. Canberra: FSANZ. 

Rice milk, almond milk and coconut milk, even if calcium fortified, are the least nourishing.

Many plant milks are an acquired taste. And kids aren’t always so good at adjusting to new flavours. Changing all of your cow’s milk to plant milks could result in a lot of food waste and children not getting all the nutrients they need.

Our recommendation?

Continue to serve cow’s milk as your standard milk drink but use a nourishing plant milk, such as calcium fortified soy milk, in cooking, baking and smoothies. Over time, you could consider offering either cow’s milk or plant milk when milk is offered. Kids may choose the plant milk and the amount of cow’s milk you buy will reduce.

As always, let your community know about the change and the reasons for the change.

Important:

Children with allergies or intolerances may need specific milks. Discuss with parents if there are any concerns.