Question
A mother of a three-year-old child asks, her child drinks pure milk on an empty stomach every morning and needs three bottles a day. However, the child’s appetite for dinner is very poor. The parent wants to know if drinking milk on an empty stomach in the morning could affect the child’s appetite?
Answer
Drinking milk on an empty stomach may affect the child’s ability to receive complete nutrition from the milk because some of the proteins are used for energy provision. Additionally, drinking milk on an empty stomach increases gastrointestinal motility, causing nutrients to enter the large intestine without being fully digested, potentially leading to fermentation by bacteria and the production of toxic substances. Since a significant portion of milk is water, drinking large amounts of milk on an empty stomach can dilute gastric juices, which may affect the digestion and absorption of food. It is recommended to have a diverse range of food types, ensuring they are colorful, fragrant, and tasty, and try to change the appearance of the food to attract the child’s interest. It can also be helpful to have meals with other children who have good appetites and to place the milk in an inconspicuous location.