Milk is a very important food for the body. Milk is rich in nutrients and minerals needed by the body. Every June 1, the world celebrates it as World Milk Day. The commemoration has been carried out since 2001. However, in Indonesia, the commemoration of the new milk day was held in 2009 with the same date, namely June 1.

In the 1950s, milk also became a perfecting of daily food consumption, namely as a perfecting of staple foods, side dishes, vegetables, and fruits or known as "4 Healthy 5 Perfect" which was introduced by the Father of Indonesian Nutrition, namely Prof. Poerwo Soedarmo.

Over time, nutrition research continues to run rapidly so that the slogan of 4 healthy 5 perfect is no longer suitable, in 1993 it was introduced with the name "Balanced Nutrition Guidelines" (according to the results of the world food conference in Rome in 1992). In the Balanced Nutrition Guidelines, in addition to paying attention to food diversity, it also pays attention to clean living behaviour, physical activity, and monitoring weight regularly. The existence of milk in the Balanced Nutrition Guidelines is no longer a refinement of our daily eating intake, but as a source of protein.

Various nutritional contents in a glass of liquid milk consist of protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, vitamin B12, ribavlafin, Potassium, selenium, zinc, choline, and magnesium.

Dairy products can be in the form of drinks or foods that contain proteins, vitamins and minerals. Consuming dairy products such as milk can support the health of the body, but consume it not in excess but still as needed.

Here are the Facts and Myths about dairy products

1. Myth: Different dairy products, such as milk and yoghurt, cannot be consumed together.

Fact: Eating various dairy products at the same time is actually okay. For fans of dairy products, you can still enjoy milk with cheese, or milk with yoghurt. However, don't forget to consume it in reasonable quantities. For example, if you usually consume 250 ml of milk, try to reduce the dose to 150 ml if you want to consume it with yoghurt or cheese.

2. Myth: Drinking milk at night makes you fat.

Fact: One of the factors that can gain weight is crossing the daily calorie consumption limit. As long as it does not exceed the daily calorie limit, drinking milk at night will not affect weight.

What needs to be considered is the distance between consuming milk and sleeping at night. Make sure to give enough time for the body to digest milk before going to bed.

3. Myth: Drinking milk at night can increase height.

Fact: Scientifically, milk is rich in protein and high in amino acids, which are important for growth. At night, there are several amino acids that work more optimally when resting. During sleep the body is in a fasting state and the body lacks energy.

In this condition, the body will take reserve energy, one of which is from the muscles. By drinking milk before going to bed, the body saves energy intake which will later be used by the body when falling asleep.

Author: Nunung Nurusalma, S.K.M., RD

Reference:

Biro Komunikasi dan Pelayanan Masyarakat  2106, Inilah Perbedaan “4 Sehat 5 Sempurna” Dengan Gizi Seimbang” Kemenkes Jakarta

Alvia Nur Layli,SKM,M.Gizi ,2019. Sudah Bukan Jamannya Lagi Gunakan “4 Sehat 5 Sempurna” Dengan Gizi Seimbang” Melainkan Gunakan Pedoman Gizi Seimbang,

Republika, 2022,  Mitos dan Fakta Seputar Produk Susu, Jakarta

Ihda Fadila, 2022, Anak Susah Makan, Bolehkah Disiasati dengan Minjum Susu?

Ade Indra Kusuma, 2019, Bolehkah Anak Susah Makan Diganti Susu Formula?