For a child with lactose intolerance, which nutrient intake should be emphasized due to reduced dairy consumption?

For a child with lactose intolerance, which nutrient intake should be emphasized due to reduced dairy consumption?

• A. Vitamin D
• B. Iron
• C. Vitamin C
• D. Calcium

Answer: (A)

Calcium intake is the nutrient to emphasize when dairy consumption is reduced due to lactose intolerance. Dairy is a major source of calcium for children, and not getting enough calcium can impact bone development. The goal is to ensure adequate calcium through non-dairy sources such as calcium-fortified plant milks, calcium-fortified cereals, canned fish with bones, tofu set with calcium, leafy greens (like kale or bok choy, noting that some greens have lower calcium bioavailability), and calcium-fortified snacks. Vitamin D matters because it helps with calcium absorption and bone mineralization, so it remains important, but the direct emphasis in this context is on meeting calcium needs. Iron and vitamin C aren’t specifically tied to reduced dairy intake in the same way, so they’re not the primary focus here.

Calcium intake is the nutrient to emphasize when dairy consumption is reduced due to lactose intolerance. Dairy is a major source of calcium for children, and not getting enough calcium can impact bone development. The goal is to ensure adequate calcium through non-dairy sources such as calcium-fortified plant milks, calcium-fortified cereals, canned fish with bones, tofu set with calcium, leafy greens (like kale or bok choy, noting that some greens have lower calcium bioavailability), and calcium-fortified snacks. Vitamin D matters because it helps with calcium absorption and bone mineralization, so it remains important, but the direct emphasis in this context is on meeting calcium needs. Iron and vitamin C aren’t specifically tied to reduced dairy intake in the same way, so they’re not the primary focus here.