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Get Milk This New School Year

By Justin Jenei

Some kids don’t like milk; others hate it. But, schools across the country are making dairy products a big part of their lunch programs this school year—they have to since federal law requires that all districts participating in the National Lunch program have a local wellness policy in place.

“Studies have shown that chocolate and flavored milk are just as healthy as regular milk,” Althea Zanecosky, a registered dietician and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, said.

That’s a welcome assessment, because this makes it more appealing to younger children and increases their intake of calcium which leads to a healthier diet while still tasting great. Flavored milk provides the same amount of nutrients as regular milk. It has been shown that children who drink it have higher calcium intakes but similar total fat compared to children who don’t drink milk frequently. 

Make sure that your policies provide children with access to the dairy products that are essential for their growth and development. With good reason, too: Zanecosky said “75 percent of calcium comes from dairy foods” and “there are other nutrients in dairy that are hard to get elsewhere.” Milk, yogurt and cheese naturally contain calcium, protein, potassium, vitamins D, A, and B12, phosphorus and many other nutrients essential for a healthy and balanced diet.

The health benefits of a dairy-rich diet are incredible. Both MyPyramid and the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage people of all ages to drink three cups of milk or milk-equivalent products a day. The calcium and vitamin D can significantly reduce the risk of low bone mass and a good protein intake builds and repairs muscle tissue.

It should be noted that milk and milk products should not be avoided because of concerns that these foods lead to weight gain. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey shows that LDL cholesterol levels are the same in kids who drink milk as in those who don’t.

Unfortunately, 77 percent of children ages 9-19 don’t get their recommended dairy intake. To solve this problem the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that schools offer healthier alternatives to sweetened drinks served in cafeterias. These alternatives include milk, yogurt and yogurt drinks in addition to natural cheeses and other dairy products. 

The health benefits of dairy products aren’t just for kids. A diet rich with dairy can lead to a healthier life. Studies have shown that a balanced diet complete with dairy products can cut the risk of breast cancer, defend against colorectal cancer in men, provide a person with adequate vitamin D and help maintain a great smile.

Most importantly, make sure that you serve balanced meals from all of the food groups, leaving out junk food. Talk to your children about making good food choices and about how a balanced diet can lead to good grades, more fun playing sports and better health in general. 

Justin Jenei is a freelance writer.