RIYADH, 16 November — Everybody knows that milk is good for us but very few know why. Well, the details are far too sophisticated for most of us to understand. In simple words, milk in all its many varieties provides us with important energy in addition to a variety of nutrients vital to human health. Milk is full of important vitamins and minerals, which are essential for healthy teeth, bones, skin and even mood.

People from pole to pole have been drinking milk throughout history. The first nation to recognize the importance of milk was the ancient Egyptians. Another interesting fact is that in Japan samurai warriors drank milk in preparation for battles.

Yet it is sad to say that sugary soda pops and juices have replaced milk-based beverages as children’s favorite drink. As a result, children are not getting enough nutrients in their diet. When a group of children in the four to 10 age group were asked what their favorite drink was the answers were, “Cola”, “Snapple” and such — but never milk. The answers did not surprise me but when I suggested milk, their reaction was “Are you serious?” And continued with, “It tastes funny.” “No, it has no taste at all.” “I just don’t like it.” “My mommy forces me to drink it every morning.” This last answer forced me to confront the vitally important question: How can mothers get their children to drink milk? For many mothers, convincing a child to gulp a glass of milk every morning is a very difficult chore. This has led them to force milk on their children and so the youngsters grow up hating it.

A good way to get children to drink milk is to alter the flavor by adding cocoa powder or syrup — or even milk to the morning tea. Mixing two or more kinds of fruit with milk is another option. On the market there are also attractively packaged flavors of milk, which invariably catch children’s eyes. Some mothers may hesitate to offer such drinks to their children because of the high sugar content. We must remember, however, that flavored milk contains the same vitamins, proteins and minerals as plain milk does. And the added sugar is still less than what is found in sugary fruit drinks and soda pop.

Mothers may also consider offering milk with cookies or serving some of the many kinds of cereal that provide an excellent breakfast. Changing the kind of cereal — and giving the child the freedom to choose it — also helps in making children enjoy a nutritious meal that includes milk. If the child is still less than enthusiastic about milk, mothers can offer such alternatives as cheese, yogurt, buttermilk and other dairy products. If your child wants ice cream, remember that it is made of milk.

Getting children to drink milk is not only a problem for parents. In fact, schools are responsible for encouraging the consumption of milk. Campaigns that explain the importance of milk to children throughout their lives should be regularly organized. Restaurants, especially the ones specializing in fast foods, should offer milk instead of only soda pop with kids’ meals. The media can also play a significant role by using attractive advertisements. We are all familiar with the “Got Milk?” or “It does a body good!” and we hope to see more of these ads here in the Kingdom.

Finally, we can’t talk about milk and not mention osteoporosis, a major medical problem for many women. When we become adults, many of us think that we have outgrown the need for milk. The truth is that drinking milk helps maintain the bone mass that is gradually lost as we age. The calcium that milk provides is very welcome to our bodies and, in older women, is an important weapon against osteoporosis. Just bear in your mind that drinking milk is good for you and not drinking milk is bad for you. It is never too late to take care of your body. Share a tall glass of milk with your children and enjoy a healthier life.