A toddler on a plant based diet is consuming rice milk and almond milk instead of cow's milk. Which nutrient is most at risk?

A toddler on a plant based diet is consuming rice milk and almond milk instead of cow's milk. Which nutrient is most at risk?

• A. Calcium deficiency
• B. Excess caloric intake
• C. Excess fat intake
• D. Protein deficiency

Answer: (D)

Protein is the nutrient most at risk here. Cow’s milk delivers a substantial amount of high-quality protein for a growing toddler, about 8 grams per cup. Almond and rice milks, when they’re not specially formulated, provide very little protein—often close to zero—so replacing cow’s milk with these drinks can markedly lower daily protein intake unless other foods compensate. In early childhood, and especially when healing from burns, protein is essential for growth, tissue repair, and immune function. So even if calcium and vitamin D are maintained through fortification, protein often becomes the limiting nutrient unless the diet includes adequate protein-rich foods such as beans, lentils, soy products, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. This is why protein deficiency is the most likely risk with this dietary pattern.

Protein is the nutrient most at risk here. Cow’s milk delivers a substantial amount of high-quality protein for a growing toddler, about 8 grams per cup. Almond and rice milks, when they’re not specially formulated, provide very little protein—often close to zero—so replacing cow’s milk with these drinks can markedly lower daily protein intake unless other foods compensate. In early childhood, and especially when healing from burns, protein is essential for growth, tissue repair, and immune function. So even if calcium and vitamin D are maintained through fortification, protein often becomes the limiting nutrient unless the diet includes adequate protein-rich foods such as beans, lentils, soy products, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. This is why protein deficiency is the most likely risk with this dietary pattern.