Is Milk a Complete Breakfast?

Breakfast is the most important meal in a day and milk is often consumed with cereal as breakfast in many parts of the world as well as in Asian countries. India is a country where kids invariably consume milk for breakfast along with some cereal or just like that. Complan Milk is relished by Indian children for breakfast as well as during the day. Many children find milk as a ready to go breakfast, with or without cereal, while going to school in the morning. So here the question arises ‘Is Milk a Complete Breakfast?’ Can it be consumed just like that for breakfast?

Let’s check this blog to find out. In addition, lets understand about Milk Nutrition, Milk Nutritional Value and the benefits of including Complan Milk for kids in their daily breakfast routine.

Table of Contents

1. Why Milk Is Popular as a Breakfast Option
2. Nutritional Profile of Milk
3. Limitations of Having Only Milk for Breakfast
4. What Makes a Complete Breakfast?
5. Healthy Ways to Complement Milk for Breakfast
6. Why Complan Milk Is a Better Breakfast Option
7. Conclusion

Why Milk Is Popular as a Breakfast Option?

Milk has been very popular choice of kids since ancient times, especially for breakfast as it is convenient to consume, and is a powerhouse of nutrients. Parents often find Complan Milk for kids a breakfast option with great nutritional value and satiating for their children, as it provides children with proteins, calcium and necessary vitamins for their rushed-up mornings. 1

Let’s Have a Look at Milk Nutritional Value

Nutritional Profile of Milk

When we look at Milk Nutritional Value, we can see that it has an attractive nutritional profile that provide us with high biological value protein, calcium and phosphorous.^2,3,4

Limitations of Having Only Milk for Breakfast

• Low Fiber Content

Fiber is very important part of a well-balanced meal, and is very important for maintaining a healthy gut flora, for digestion and good for motions as well. Eating fiber gives a feeling of satiety and fullness, causes less sugar cravings. We can combine meals with milk. Milk can be consumed with meals, like whole grains ,fruits, nuts and seeds to incorporate fiber .

• Lacks Complex Carbohydrates

Milk contains lactose, a milk sugar, but is does lack on Complex carbohydrates, which will slowly release sugars in blood and help children sustain good energy levels for long hours. Hence, we need to complement milk with whole grains, fruits and seeds for incorporating fiber.

• Lacks healthy fats

Milk (toned or full fat) has some fat content, to include healthy fats for satiety and good brain function we need to include seeds, nuts for the same, avocados too have good fats and can be included.

• Does not meet required calorie intake

Milk as sole breakfast is insufficient as it will not help kids meet their daily calorie intake levels. Health experts suggest that kids should consume 2000 kcal per day. However, having only milk for breakfast will not help kids meet the mark. Therefore, a heavy breakfast along with milk is suggest that fulfils 1/3 of the calories required in the day.

Even though milk is highly consumed breakfast beverage worldwide, If we look at Milk Nutritional Value based on the nutritional profile, it does lack on fiber, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats, hence cannot be consumed alone as breakfast.

What Makes a Complete Breakfast?

Children who eat a balanced breakfast typically perform better academically and have higher-quality diets and micronutrient consumption. ⁵

All five necessary food groups – whole grains, fruits and/or vegetables, dairy, protein (meat or animal substitutes), and liquids like milk or water – should be included in a child’s healthy breakfast.

This well-balanced combination promotes general health, growth, and cognitive function. Proteins promote muscular growth and fullness, fruits and vegetables offer vital vitamins and antioxidants, dairy is important for calcium and bone health, and whole grains offer long-lasting energy and fiber. Research indicates that kids who eat a diverse breakfast get more nutrients and are less likely to experience deficiencies, but skipping breakfast is associated with a lower-quality diet. ^6,7,8

Healthy Ways to Complement Milk for Breakfast

Children need to have a nutrient dense, well-balanced breakfast. Instead of Milk alone, it is advisable to pair Complan Milk with fiber, Complex carbohydrates and healthy fats to make a wholesome, nutritious and healthy breakfast for your children.

Some healthier breakfast options for children easy and ready to go, are mentioned below

• Complan Milk + fruit + nuts- Complan Milk For Kids provides 34 vital nutrients, fruit for instant energy and fiber and nuts will give healthy fats.
• Complan Milk+ Rolled Oats + Berries + Seeds-Complan Milk For Kids provides 34 vital nutrients, rolled oats for complex carbohydrates and fiber, berries for antioxidants and, seeds will give healthy fats.
• Complan Milk + Sour dough bread toast+ scrambled egg – Complan Milk For Kids provides 34 vital nutrients, sour dough bread for complex carbohydrates and egg good proteins.

Why Complan Is a Better Breakfast Option?

• Complan is a scientifically created health beverage for growing students that contains 34 vital nutrients, which includes micronutrients like iron and iodine, and 100% milk protein.
  Good protein aids in both development and repair and minerals like iron and zinc are necessary for cognitive development.
• Complan is created especially for children, to support their mental and physical development. The use of Health Nutritional Supplement (oral nutritional supplement-ONS), such as Complan a health beverage is supported by clinical data. According to a meta-analysis, children who consumed ONS had good compliance rates and gained an average of 0.4 kg in weight and 0.3 cm in height. ONS supports calorie intake and promotes healthy growth, according to other reviews.^9,,¹⁰
• As a result, Complan milk, when mixed with milk, offers a more comprehensive breakfast than milk by itself.

Find Complan at the nearest grocery store, or online platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Zepto, Blinkit, and Swiggy Instamart.

Buy Complan from official Zydus India website

Conclusion

Although milk is a simple and nutrient-dense option as we have seen about Milk Nutritional value in this blog, it does not satisfy the requirements for a full meal on its own. Balance can be improved by combining it with complex carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats. Fortified health drinks, such as Complan Milk for Kids, provide an easy approach to fill up nutritional gaps. Complan Milk for kids offers the ideal balance of protein, vitamins, and minerals for parents looking for a dependable, growth-promoting solution, resulting in stronger and healthier mornings.

References

1. Bréjon, M., Tavares, F., Florença, S. G., Gonçalves, J. C., Barroca, M. J., & Guiné, R. P. F. (2024). Milk: A Nutritive and Healthy Food? Consumer Perspective from French and Portuguese Participants. Applied Sciences, 14(9), 3577. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093577

2. Huth, P. J., DiRienzo, D. B., & Miller, G. D. (2006). Major scientific advances with dairy foods in nutrition and health. Journal of Dairy Science, 89(4), 1207–1221. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(06)72190-7

3. Antunes, I. C., Bexiga, R., Pinto, C., Roseiro, L. C., & Quaresma, M. A. G. (2022). Cow’s milk in human nutrition and the emergence of plant-based milk alternatives. Foods, 12(1), 99. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12010099

4. National Institute of Nutrition. Recommended Dietary Allowances—2020: Short Report. Hyderabad, India: National Institute of Nutrition; 2020. Updated 2024. Accessed May 26, 2025. https://www.nin.res.in/RDA_short_Report_2020.html.

5. Adolphus, K., Lawton, C. L., & Dye, L. (2013). The effects of breakfast on behavior and academic performance in children and adolescents. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 7, 425. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2013.00425

6. Barr, S. I., DiFrancesco, L., & Fulgoni, V. L., III. (2014). Breakfast consumption is positively associated with nutrient adequacy in Canadian children and adolescents. British Journal of Nutrition, 112(8), 1373–1383. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114514002190

7. Giménez-Legarre, N., Miguel-Berges, M. L., Flores-Barrantes, P., Santaliestra-Pasías, A. M., & Moreno, L. A. (2020). Breakfast characteristics and its association with daily micronutrient intake in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 12(10), 3201. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12103201

8. Gao, Y., Cai, C., Li, J., & Sun, W. (2016). Nutritional intervention and breakfast behavior of kindergartens. Iranian Journal of Public Health, 45(3), 297–304.

9. Cawood, A. L., Smith, C., Kinnear, F. J., Upton, L., Trace, S., O’Connor, G., & Stratton, R. J. (2025). Effect of oral nutritional supplements on outcomes in children presenting with, or at risk of, faltering growth in clinical settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Child Health Care, 29(1), 222–244. https://doi.org/10.1177/13674935231185181

10. Hubbard, G. P., Elia, M., Holdoway, A., & Stratton, R. J. (2012). A systematic review of compliance to oral nutritional supplements. Clinical Nutrition, 31(3), 293–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2011.11.020