Flavored Milk
As wellness policies are being implemented in schools nationwide, changes are beginning to happen. Are you seeing more and more information from your kid’s schools regarding changes in the items offered for lunch and snacks? Does it seem odd that they should not allow certain fruit drinks but allow milk flavored with added sugars? Many moms and dads are asking that very question. Here is the latest to keep you up to date:
- Flavored milk is a nutrient-rich beverage providing the same nine essential nutrients as white milk including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B12, riboflavin and niacin (niacin equivalents). Milk's nutrients, especially calcium and vitamin D, are necessary for developing strong bones and teeth.
- Each 8-ounce serving of milk — plain or flavored — provides 300 mg of calcium, about one-third to one-fourth of the daily calcium requirement for children.
- Flavored milk is well liked by children, which is a big plus for Mom. In fact in the 2002 school milk pilot test, milk consumption increased by 37% when packaging, merchandizing or flavors were added or changed.
- Studies show that kids who consume flavored milk not only have higher intakes of essential nutrients but also lower body fat than kids who do not drink milk.
- The added sugar in flavored milk is far less than what is found in equal amounts of soda or fruit drinks.
That is the bottom line, milk, plain or flavored, offers a bigger, more complete natural, nutrient package than any other beverage. Chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, or goofy berry, schools pick it because they all equal better nutrition for your kids.