In 2007 it was found that on a per capita basis people in Malta consume 80.33 litres of milk per year, in comparison to the 92.6 litres of milk consumed on average in the EU. Maltese people should try and include more milk ni their diets.
Milk is an important part of our diet. The food consumed as part of a healthy diet should supply us with nutrients and vitamins that help us grow and fight off certain illnesses.
Milk is a very important source of nutrients and vitamins, and for this reason everybody should include milk as a part of their diet.
The World Health Organisation recommends that we should consume two to three portions of milk or other dairy products every day.
We are lucky to have a choice between milk that is full-fat, semi-skimmed or skimmed. There is also a choice between cow’s, sheep’s and goat’s milk.
Milk is an important source of calcium, proteins and vitamins B12 and B2.
Calcium is important for the strength and maintenance of bones and teeth.
Besides calcium, milk is also an important source of proteins that the body cannot produce on its own.
Vitamin B12 is important for the normal functioning of the brain and the nervous system, as well as for the formation of blood.
Vitamin B2 aids in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins.
Studies show that consuming three glasses of skimmed milk a day as part of a balanced diet together with physical activity helps people maintain an ideal weight.
Other studies show that when children drink milk instead of soft drinks, this helps avoid the problem of eventual obesity.
When we consume milk or other dairy products we would ideally try to choose skimmed products instead of full-fat, but this does not apply to children, especially those under the age of five.
Consuming skimmed products instead of full-fat ones helps us regulate the amount of fat found in our daily diet; however, children under five years of age need this fat in order to ensure they grow healthy.
A small minority of people are allergic to milk, especially to the protein found in cow’s milk.
People of all ages can have a milk allergy but it is more common among infants.
Two to three per cent of infants are allergic to milk but most of them outgrow it.
Between 85 and 90 per cent of milk allergy cases in infants go away on their own by the time the child is three to five years of age.
Milk allergies are the exception and by far not the rule, but if a person suspects that he or she might have a milk allergy, they should consult their doctor and/or nutritionist.
Dr Lautier works for the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate.