Chocolate Milk
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourages the consumption of three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods each day for those 9 years and older.1 Flavored milk contains all of the major nutrients found in unflavored milk—calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, protein, riboflavin, niacin and vitamins A, B12 and D—and can count toward this recommendation. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association, School Nutrition Association and American Heart Association all consider flavored milk a healthy option for children. Milk, including flavored milk, provides 3 of the 4 under-consumed nutrients identified by the Dietary Guidelines—calcium, potassium and vitamin D.
Flavored milk gives children another choice for meeting their calcium requirements, at a critical time when bone is being formed at a rapid rate. Currently only one in ten school-age girls and four in ten boys meet their calcium requirements.2 This doesn’t come as a surprise, with increasing numbers of children drinking sodas, sports drinks, fruit-flavored beverages and other sweetened beverages that often replace milk. It is recommended that children consume between 1000 - 1,300 mg of calcium per day, depending on their age, which corresponds to 2-1/2 to 3 cups of milk or milk products every day.3 A recent study found that children who consume flavored milk are more likely to reach their daily recommended intake of calcium and less likely to consume low-nutrient beverages such as soda and sugary juice drinks.4
At a time when overweight and obesity are top public health concerns, flavored milk often comes under fire for its added sugar and calories. The primary difference between flavored and unflavored milk is the higher carbohydrate and calorie content due to the addition of sugar or other sweeteners. What’s important to remember, however, is that although flavored milk may appear to have as much sugar as soda, about one-half of the sugars in chocolate milk are naturally-occurring as lactose. In addition, the additional calories in flavored milk (about 60 calories) are small relative to the powerhouse of nutrients it contains.
Over-consumption of any calorie-containing food will lead to weight gain. A recent study, found that children who drink flavored or plain milk consume more nutrients and have a lower or comparable body mass index (BMI – a measure of body fatness) than children who don’t drink milk.5 Intakes of added sugars were comparable between flavored milk drinkers and non-milk drinkers, confirming that the inclusion of flavored milk in the diet does not lead to significantly higher added sugar intakes by children and adolescents.
These handouts can help consumers learn more about the nutritional value of beverages:
While most children love the taste of unflavored milk, others prefer flavored milk. All in all, flavored milk provides a healthy option to round out the recommended dairy servings that both children and adults need on a daily basis.
Click here for more information about the nutritional values for milk.
What Others Are Saying:
Dayle Hayes, MS, RD
Dayle is a registered dietitian that has dedicated over 30 years of work and volunteer life to child nutrition. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and the School Nutrition Association, as well as the Chair of the School Nutrition Services Dietetic Practice Group and the Co-Chair of Billings Action for Healthy Kids. Her blog is based solely her personal opinions and does not necessarily reflect the official policies of any organization or agency.
Flavored Milk Wars: Is a Tempest in a Milk Carton Good For Kid’s Nutrition?
James M. Rippe, MD.
Harvard- trained cardiologist James M. Rippe, M.D.is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Tufts University of School of Medicine and Professor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Florida. Among his accomplishments, he edits the medical textbook, Lifestyle Medicine, that trains physicians on the impact of lifestyle decisions on good health. His research interests include the health consequences of physical activity, nutrition and weight management on the prevention of disease.
This video, sponsored by the Corn Refiners Association, highlights Dr. Rippe's views on the chocolate milk debate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLJr7Rc7QtI&feature=youtu.be