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Myth

Most young children can obtain all their nutrition from the food they eat.

Reality

The reality is that many groups of children are considered at higher risk of nutritional deficiencies. Children who restrict foods or food groups due to necessity, e.g. food allergies/intolerances, or choice, e.g. being plant-based for the planet or navigating a fussy eating stage, are recognised to need careful consideration when it comes to nutrient requirements. There are also groups of children with feeding differences e.g. ARFID that lead them to have highly selective or restricted diets

Myth

Plant-based milk alternatives are all the same.

Reality

Unfortunately not, many plant-based drinks available simply are not formulated with the unique nutritional needs of children in mind – this is why so many parents can be left confused with which option is ‘best’. Many contain little to no fortification with essential nutrients like calcium and iodine, and others are very low in energy, which isn’t suitable for young children with high energy requirements to support their rapid growth and development.

Myth

Children have similar nutritional needs to adults.

Reality

While children need the same nutrients as adults – think macronutrients like carbohydrates, protein and fat, and micronutrients like vitamins, minerals and trace elements, children require different amounts and often need more of certain nutrients to support their growth and development. Their portion sizes and meal composition should be tailored to their age, activity level, and developmental needs. This is why Grow with Iris is formulated within the nutritional guidelines created for infants and toddlers.

Myth

Organic plant-based milks are best, as they have fewer ingredients added.

Reality

There has been an increasing focus on ingredients added to foods, and some movements towards avoiding food options e.g. milk alternatives without any added extras. Whilst understanding ingredients is important, context and nuance around nutrition is ALSO important, especially when we consider the needs of vulnerable groups such as children with food allergies or following a vegan diet. A reliable intake of essential nutrients you can find in well-fortified plant drinks, like Grow with Iris, such as calcium, iron and iodine, is a necessity for so many children, and there are short and long-term health risks associated with insufficient intake of essential nutrients

Myth

Children can get enough nutrients like calcium from plant-based foods like broccoli – they don’t need a milk alternative.

Reality

Yes, foods like broccoli and leafy greens do contain nutrients like calcium, but have you ever wondered how much you’d have to consume or how bioavailable the calcium in these foods are? For context, for a toddler to meet their daily calcium requirements from broccoli, they would have to eat over 800g (around 2 whole broccoli heads) to meet their calcium requirement. The calcium within some plant-based foods can also be harder for the body to absorb. There are other nutrients like iodine, which is important for children’s brain development, which is not present in a wide variety of foods across food groups. For example, dairy and white fish are the main sources of iodine in the diets of UK children, and one or both foods may be excluded in children e.g. those with food allergies or following a vegan diet.