If you take a closer look at the dairy section of your grocery store, you'll probably find there's much more than milk lining the shelves. Cow's milk may be the norm, but almond, soy, and rice drinks are just as ubiquitous.

These plant based "milks" are growing in popularity, and not just because people with food allergies or lactose intolerance are buying these products. Kellan loves almond milk. I started buying it as a lower calorie replacement for half and half in my coffee and now I buy it for Kellan.

Since no one in our family has issues with dairy, almond milk is not a replacement for cow's milk. We still drink plenty of that too. Even though milk alternatives are fortified with calcium and vitamin D, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend cutting out all dairy completely if a child has lactose intolerance. The AAP suggests trying other forms of dairy like cheese and yogurt along with lactose-free milk to get the recommended amounts of bone-building calcium and vitamin D every day.

How do you feel about milk alternatives?