USEFUL INFORMATION Kids and Ice Cream Ice cream is a dessert that goes with summer and which is greatly enjoyed not only by children but everybody. It is a more nutritious choice compared to other desserts. The main constituent of ice cream is milk. Therefore, compared to other nutrients that contain milk, it has similar proportions of calcium, phosphorus, protein, riboflavin (B2), vitamin A and other essential nutrients. Its fat content can vary according to the cocoa and milk fat that is added to the ice cream. Again, the energy derived from the fat in ice cream contributes to children’s growth and development. Cookies, pound cakes and other types of dessert do not have the same advantages in terms of nutritional content, because these types of desserts essentially provide energy. High in calcium, ice cream helps bone development in children; 100 g. of ice cream contains approximately 130 mg. of calcium. Children can meet their daily calcium need eating ice cream. It is more difficult for children to meet their daily calcium need in the summer because they consume less milk during these months. Besides foods like milk and its derivatives (cheese, yogurt, etc.), that are known as “the best sources of calcium”, consuming ice cream prepared with milk will contribute to children’s calcium need. Daily Calcium Intake According to Age Groups Adults: 600 mg/day The Elderly: 700 mg/day Children – ages 1-3: 800 mg/day Children – ages 4-6: 800 mg/day Adolescents: 800-1000 mg/day