CHICAGO /PRNewswire/ — Leading health and nutrition organizations –
including the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of
Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association, American Heart Association, National
Hispanic Medical Association, National Medical Association and School Nutrition
Association – recognize the valuable role that low-fat or fat-free milk,
including flavored milk, can play in meeting daily nutrient needs, and helping
kids get the daily servings of milk recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for
Americans.
All milk contains a unique combination of nutrients important for growth and
development. And flavored milk accounts for less than 3.5 percent of added sugar
intake among children ages 6-12 and less than 2 percent of the added sugar
intake among teens. Studies have shown that children who drink flavored milk
meet more of their nutrient needs; do not consume more added sugar, fat or
calories; and are not heavier than non-milk drinkers.
Flavored milk is an important choice because:
- Milk provides nutrients essential for good health and kids will drink more
when it’s flavored - Flavored milk contains the same nine essential nutrients as white milk –
calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin and
niacin (niacin equivalents) - Drinking low-fat or fat-free white or flavored milk helps kids get the 3
daily servings* of milk recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans,
and provides three of the five “nutrients of concern” that children do not get
enough of – calcium, potassium and magnesium as well as vitamin D - Low-fat chocolate milk is the most popular milk choice in schools and kids
drink less milk (and get fewer nutrients) if it’s taken away.
*3 cups of low-fat of fat-free milk or equivalent milk products for those 9
years of age and older and 2 cups of low-fat and fat-free milk or equivalent
milk products for children 2-8 years old.
Source:
National Dairy Council
