Every milk and milk drink broken down by glass, with dairy and plant alternatives compared on fat, sugar, protein and calcium.
The sugar in plain milk is lactose, which is not free sugar and does not count against the NHS daily limit. Flavoured milks and sweetened plant drinks add sugar that does.
The difference between milk types is fat, not sugar. All three carry similar lactose and protein, and similar calcium.
NHS guidance recommends whole milk for children aged one to two, and semi-skimmed from two years old provided the child is eating well otherwise.
Oat, almond, soya and coconut drinks differ substantially from each other and from dairy. Soya is closest on protein; almond and coconut carry very little.
Sweetened versions add free sugar, and unfortified versions carry no calcium. Checking for both is worth doing when replacing dairy for a child.
Each product page includes a full nutrition breakdown per serving and per pack, portion size comparisons, age-adjusted NHS daily reference intake calculations for children aged 4 to 17, an interactive calculator for your child's specific age and gender, and a complete ingredient and allergen guide.
