Worried Welsh parents have no idea how much calcium their kids need a day.

A whopping 87 per cent of parents surveyed admit they don’t know how much calcium is needed for a healthy diet, while four in ten reckon their children don’t get enough variety in what they eat. 

Over a third (35 per cent) believe their kids aren’t getting their five a day, almost a quarter (24 per cent) admit their kids aren’t active enough, while only 38 per cent are aware that milk constitutes a key source of protein.

New research from dairy cooperative Arla revealed the startling findings as Welsh parents’ gaps in knowledge were alarmingly exposed.

Over one in ten (11 per cent) don’t think their kids get enough dairy produce in their diets, while under a quarter (24 per cent) are aware that milk is a good source of Vitamin B2.

Just six per cent realise milk is a good source of potassium – while not a single parent surveyed knew it provided crucial iodine content for their kids.

And Rhiannon Lambert, a nutrition expert, said: “There’s a lot of information out there and it can be hard for parents to know what they can trust, but I share the belief if we start to educate kids while they’re young, we’re helping to set them up to make the best possible choices as they grow up.”

One Arla farmer, Jonny Burridge, and his cow Jelly, are on a mission to tackle the issue and help parents and children understand more, alongside registered nutritionist Lambert.

They launched their first book last year to share sustainable farm experiences with families, while their second book - Jonny and Jelly Go from Strength to Strength - focuses on nutrition and educating the whole family on a well-balanced diet.

And Burridge said: “What an honour for Jelly and me to be involved in a second book, this time to help children and their families understand nutrition.

"Jelly is of course the star of the show and has helped to immerse kids in farming and the wonderful outdoors throughout her life.

"She’s actually met over 50,000 children in her lifetime, and made numerous visits to local schools, shows and events. I personally think of milk as one of nature’s nectars but, of course, I am biased. 

"But I do know that dairy can play a really important role in a healthy and balanced diet and I really hope this book helps more children to learn about it.”

Arla's Danny Micklethwaite added: " Of the parents we surveyed, one in ten (11 per cent) said they didn’t know where to find information about children’s optimum nutrition, and they don’t trust any particular sources to educate them. This is something we feel we have a responsibility to help change. We are owned by over 2,300 farmers - all as passionate as Jonny about helping kids gain a good understanding of how their food gets in front of them and what it contains to help them fuel their bodies.”

To find out more, or download the book, visit www.arlafoods.co.uk/forward-thinking-dairy/jonny-and-jelly-go-from-strength-to-strength/. Or listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7HN1EIOxbGZqQGFVFX7aQm