Cow's Milk Substitutes for Children: Nutritional Aspects of Milk from Different Mammalian Species, Special Formula and Plant-Based Beverages.

Cow's milk and dairy are commonly consumed foods in the human diet and contribute to maintaining a healthy nutritional state, providing unique sources of energy, calcium, protein, and vitamins, especially during early childhood. Milk formula is usually made from cow's milk and represents the first food introduced into an infant's diet when breastfeeding is either not possible or insufficient to cover nutritional needs. Very recently, increased awareness of cow's milk protein allergy and intolerance, and higher preference to vegan dietary habits have influenced parents towards frequently choosing cows' milk substitutes for children, comprising other mammalian milk types and plant-based milk beverages.

Flavor, relative palatability and components of cow's milk hydrolysed formulas and amino acid-based formula.

Background: Both extensively hydrolysed formulas (eHF) and amino acid-based formula (AAFs) have been demonstrated effective for the treatment of CMA. However, in clinical practice, parents complain that hydrolysates are rejected by children due to their bad taste. Flavor of hydrolysed formulas has been poorly investigated although it affects the acceptance of milk over all the other attributes.