Is it good for children to only drink milk in the morning without eating breakfast? Some people say that after weaning, children should properly increase their staple food to supplement the nutrients needed by the body. So, is it good or bad for children to only drink milk powder without eating breakfast, and what are the effects on the body?
Is it good for children to only drink milk?
Children should not drink milk powder on an empty stomach. After weaning, the activity of lactase in the body decreases. Drinking milk powder on an empty stomach can cause lactose to be undigested in the small intestine and directly enter the large intestine, becoming nutrients for bacteria in the large intestine. The bacteria decompose it, resulting in gas and acid, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea.
In addition, the body is in a state of hunger on an empty stomach, requiring energy. At this time, drinking milk powder will convert protein into carbohydrates and consume it as heat energy. It stays in the stomach for a short time and quickly passes to the intestines, which is not conducive to digestion and absorption.
What are the effects of children not eating breakfast?
1. Not eating breakfast can cause stomach problems
The human body stores more fat during sleep at night, while the glycogen in the liver is less. If breakfast is not eaten in time, the glycogen will be quickly depleted, resulting in insufficient energy supply to the brain. Due to not eating breakfast, a large amount of food will be consumed at lunch, putting the stomach wall in a tense state, which can easily lead to stomach problems.
2. Not eating breakfast can affect children's learning
Breakfast helps replenish glycogen stores and provides the necessary calories for the body at the beginning of the day. Usually, the calories provided by breakfast should account for about 30% of the total calories in a day. Research shows that if children frequently skip breakfast, it is easy to cause nutritional deficiencies, physical weakness, lack of concentration, and decreased academic performance.
3. Not eating breakfast can make children gain weight
Long-term skipping breakfast can easily cause children to gain weight. Not eating breakfast will lower blood sugar levels and affect the central nervous system that controls hunger and satiety, leading to a feeling of hunger. As a result, the food consumed at lunch is easily absorbed by the stomach and intestines, leading to subcutaneous fat formation. Moreover, due to excessive eating, after digestion, excess sugar enters the blood in large quantities, which can also lead to fat formation. In addition, during an empty stomach, the cholesterol saturation in the gallbladder is relatively high, which can easily lead to gallstones. Over time, the balance system in the child's body will be severely disrupted, resulting in anemia and malnutrition.
What are the best foods for children to eat for breakfast?
1. Milk
Milk is one of the essential foods for children's breakfast. Milk contains rich nutrients, which are very important for the growth and development of children's bodies. It is best for children to drink a glass of milk for breakfast every day.
2. Eggs
Eggs are also a good choice for children's breakfast. Eggs also contain various high-level nutrients, which can meet the nutritional needs of children's bodies. Of course, the amount of eggs consumed by children should not be too much. Generally, one and a half eggs are the best.
3. Staple food
It is wise for children to have staple food as the main food for breakfast. Foods like steamed buns and noodles are acceptable, as they are easier to digest in the morning.
Reminder: After weaning, babies can eat some bread, noodles, corn, millet porridge, and other cereals before drinking milk. This will prolong the time milk stays in the small intestine and improve nutrient absorption.
