Each week, Libby Lovig, a board-certified RD, offers a helpful, healthful nutrition tip.
Try Flavored Milk to Increase Dairy Consumption
Studies show 90 percent of teenage girls and 70 percent of teenage boys do not consume enough calcium. Necessary for strong bones, teeth and overall health this mineral is not one to be ignored. Getting children to drink more milk and consume more dairy products is a major goal for most health organizations including the American Dietetic Association, American Academy of pediatrics, American Academy of Family Practitioners. A study in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reports that offering children flavored milk can greatly increase consumption. Researchers at the University of Vermont studied flavored milk consumptions among more than 4,000 students and found that those who drank flavored milk had higher calcium and milk intake and lower sugar-sweetened beverage intake than those who did not choose flavored milk. If you are struggling to convince your children to drink more milk try adding flavors. The health benefit far outweighs any extra calories.