Ask any child what his favorite food is, and you will most likely be met with an answer within the range of hotdogs, chicken nuggets, pizzas, french fries, and fried chicken. These tasty treats are not necessarily bad for the child when eaten just occasionally, but when he asks for these kinds of food as his regular breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it becomes a serious problem.

“Parents need to pay close attention to their children’s nutrition, especially during the early stages,” says Babylyn Cayabyab, nutritionist of the Nutrition, Health, and Wellness company Nestle Philippines. “They need food rich in certain nutrients like calcium, protein, and carbohydrates to support their growth and provide energy. Growth slows down as the child ages, so parents have to make sure that their children receive optimum nutrition early on.

“Milk is an important part of the child’s diet. It is naturally high in calcium, which children need for bone development,” adds Cayabyab. “However, milk, in its purest form, is not enough – not enough iron, not enough vitamins.”

There are so many options right now in the supermarket, all claiming to be the best kind of milk for the child. The question is, which brand should mom choose? All a mom has to do is check the label and zoom in on the important details. Below are three of the nutrients you need to look for:

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are tricky fellows. The child needs carbohydrates mainly for energy. However, not all carbohydrates are good for the child. One major culprit is sugar.

Giving children high amounts of sugar in their milk at a very young age conditions the child’s palate to be accustomed to sweet foods. This  will make them prone to obesity and diabetes. This also makes children picky eaters.

Calcium

Milk is naturally rich in calcium, which is important for young children as their bones develop and strengthen. Look for the milk that provides more calcium.

Protein

Protein is essential for muscle development and weight management to support the child’s growth. This, paired with calcium, builds a solid foundation for growth for children at a very young age. Again look for milk products that have high-protein content.

Prebiotics and Probiotics

Milk products must also have good amounts of prebiotics and probiotics that balance each other.