School Milk Myth Busters: The Reality of Flavored Milk
Get the facts about flavored and non-flavored milk in Schools! American Dairy Association and Dairy Council has a long history of collaborating with New York State Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition
on its mission to empower members to be food and nutrition leaders. We have provided members with a variety of science-based nutrition resources and research, and have participated in New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ events and programs for
the last 25 years. It is why we want to play “myth busters” and are providing you with factual information on milk in schools.
The Inclusion of Milk is Firmly Grounded in Nutrition Science
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend three servings of dairy per day for ages nine years and older; however, average consumption is only 1.9 servings per day. Milk is the number
one source of nine essential nutrients in kids’ diets, and the number one source of three out of four nutrients of concern – calcium, potassium and vitamin D. Additionally, dairy contributes 58% of vitamin D and 51% of calcium in the U.S. diet, but only 10%
of calories.
Additional
Resources: View
Nutrient Power House infographic and see how an 8-ounce glass of milk (flavored or not) provides kids with as many nutrients as other foods. Other beverages don’t even come close in comparison, as seen in
Rethink Your Drink.
“Must Know” about Milk in Schools
Milk must be offered with each school meal, but students may refuse it because of “offer vs. serve” provision. About 85% of students take milk with lunch and 75% of students take milk with breakfast.
Milk must be low-fat (1%) or fat-free (skim). Since 2012, flavored milk must be fat-free.
Milk served in school has changed in the past 25 years. According to a study done in the early 1990s, by National Dairy Council in cooperation with School Nutrition Association, three-quarters
of the school milk that students chose was whole or 2%. But in the ‘90s and the 2000s, more and more schools asked for 1% low-fat or fat-free milk. They were not required to do this; the schools were responding partly to recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines,
partly in desire to reduce total calories, and partly for other reasons. By 2005, almost 80% of milk chosen by students nationwide was low-fat or fat-free. This was
before federal regulations required low-fat or fat-free milk. Basically, the schools moved first.
Flavored
Milk in Schools; Small Added Sugar Contribution
There’s a similar story to tell about sugar in flavored milk. MilkPEP, a promotion organization for fluid milk processors, surveys schools each yearand found that, in 2013, the average carton
of flavored milk had 44 fewer calories than in 2007. Of all the added sugars in the diets of our kids, flavored milk accounts for only 4.3%. Added sugars are a legitimate concern, but milk is not the culprit.Flavored milk is, however, extremely popular with
kids in school: About two-thirds of milk served in schools is flavored, usually chocolate but sometimes strawberry, mocha, or vanilla.
A few years ago, the label on a half-pint of chocolate milk in the school cafeteria, listed total sugars at around 29 or 30 grams. Now, low-fat and non-fat milk naturally has about 12 to 13 grams
of sugar – lactose – so around 16 to 18 grams were added as a sweetener.
Today, in many parts of the country, if you look at the same label on a half-pint, you will find only about 22 grams of total sugars. Remember, there are still 12 to 13 grams of naturally-occurring
lactose; that has not changed. What has happened is that milk processors, working with the schools, have reduced added sugars from as much as 18 grams down to as little as 9 or 10 grams – pretty much cutting added sugars in half.
This 22-gram level is the target recommended by the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences.
Additional
Resources: View
Flavored Milk Top 5 Reasons to see which National organizations support flavored milk in schools. The State of Flavored Milk in Schools shows how
milk processors across the United States are reformulating flavored milk to decrease added sugars.
Benefits of Flavored Milk Recognized
Flavored milk plays a central role in encouraging kids to drink milk. Simply put, they like it!The Dietary Guidelines, American Heart Association and other authorities have recognized that flavored
milk can play a positive role in encouraging kids to get sufficient dairy. AHA wrote in 2009: “When sugars are added to otherwise nutrient-rich foods, such as flavored milk and yogurt, the quality of children’s and adolescents’ diets improves, and in the
case of flavored milks, no adverse effects on weight status were found.”
According to
new guidelines from American Academy of Pediatrics, pediatricians urge parents to take a more practical approach to feeding children. American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents to focus more on what children should eat: a healthy overall diet, with only
small amounts of sugar, fat, and salt to make healthy foods more appealing.
Additional Resource: Get to
The Truth about Flavored Milk with this handout.
When Flavored Milk is Removed from Schools
Several studies have been published in scientific journals showing what happens when flavored milk is removed from schools – as some cities have done. One Boston-based study showed a 24% decline
in milk consumption, another study found a 37% drop, and other studies have also found significant declines. It’s pretty clear that when flavored milk is removed from schools, kids drink a lot less milk.
Additional
Resource: Read more about the negative nutritional impact of removing chocolate milk from schools in our
Flavored Milk Study Handout!
Conclusion
Milk plays an important role in children’s diets. White or flavored, milk is the number one source of nine essential nutrients including calcium, potassium and vitamin D. Without the option of
flavored milk, kids drink a lot less milk. Flavored milk balances the need to limit added sugars, yet promote nutrient-rich food to children. To find out more, contact
Michelle Barber or
Stacey Jackson, or visit the
Flavored Milk resources page on the
American Dairy Association and Dairy Council website.
About
ADADC
American Dairy Association and Dairy Council is committed to nutrition research and education in particular, the health, wellness and dairy’s role in the diet. ADADC funded
by dairy farmers in New York State, northern New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania and is and is an advocate for programs that support children’s health.
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