Flavored Milk: Nutrition Explorations

An Important Nutrient-Rich Choice

With calcium and eight other essential nutrients, flavored milk offers the same great nutrient-rich package as white milk and can help improve overall diets. Kids are in a calcium crisis, with more than half of children ages 2-8 and three-quarters of children ages 9-19 not getting the recommended daily servings of low-fat or fat-free milk or milk products. Flavored milk can help close the gap because children prefer it and will drink more milk when it's flavored.

According to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, along with whole grains, fruits and vegetables, are among the Food Groups to Encourage, as they provide key nutrients that are low in American's diets. Flavored milk, just like white milk, provides children with three of the five nutrients that fall short in children's diets: calcium, potassium and magnesium.

While there are some added sugars, flavored milk drinkers don't have higher intakes of added sugars or total fats than children who do not consume flavored milk. And, they have higher intakes of calcium. Furthermore, the DGA recognize that small amounts of sugar added to nutrient-dense foods, such as reduced-fat milk products, may increase a person's intake of such foods by enhancing palatability of these products, thus improving nutrient intake without contributing excessive calories.

Flavored Milk and Dairy Nutritional Information
Flavored Milk and Dairy in School Wellness Policies
Health Professional Support for Flavored Milk
Flavored Milk Research
Voluntary Guidelines for Food/Beverages Sold at School

Flavored Milk and Dairy Nutritional Information

Flavored Milk FAQ's

Serving flavored milk often generates lots of questions. Get the answers to Flavored Milk Frequently Asked Questions, including information on how flavored milk fits into school nutrition programs, sugar, sugar substitutes, hyperactivity, and more.

Flavored Milk and Sweeteners

As reduced sugar products continue to be a priority in the school environment National Dairy Council® supports the development of flavored milk formulations that contain reduced levels of added sugar that will still appeal to children. However, rather than using sugar substitutes, sugar is considered as the first sweetener option for these flavored milk innovations. For more details read the Position Statement: Flavored Milk and Sweeteners.

Dairy Foods and School Nutrition Standards

Uniform national nutrition standards that extend beyond the lunchroom could help promote healthy diets. Read National Dairy Council®'s perspective in Position Statement: Dairy Foods and School Nutrition Standards.

Flavored Milk in Perspective

This all-inclusive document covers nutritional and product information about flavored milk and also summarizes key research.

Think Your Drink! Beverage Comparison Fact Sheet

This handout shows that chocolate milk has the same nine essential nutrients as white milk, plus illustrates milk's excellent nutritional profile as compared to other beverages, including soft drinks. Think Your Drink! is an excellent tool for teaching older students and as a handout to parents.

Flavored Milk and Dairy in School Wellness Policies

School wellness policies that use a balanced approach evaluate foods based on their overall nutritional quality and their appeal in helping children make healthier choices. Flavored milk and dairy products fit the criteria. Get all the details in Dairy in School Wellness Policies.

Health Professional Support for Flavored Milk

Throughout the years health professionals have supported children drinking flavored milk. Children drink more milk when it is flavored and since it is nutrient-rich, it helps them get the calcium and other essential nutrients they need. Read the recent statements.

Flavored Milk Research

There are a myriad of studies available supporting the benefits of drinking flavored milk.

Study Documents Detrimental Impact of Teen Beverage Choices

An April, 2005 study of more than 3,000 children suggests that sodas and fruit drinks are displacing milk. It also found that flavored milk adds minimal sugar to teen diets, but also finds that the soft drink and fruit drinks they are choosing instead of milk are the top calorie source in their diets. Read the summary.

SMPT Demonstrated Flavors and Plastic Bottles Boost Milk Sales

The School Milk Pilot Test (SMPT) showed that when ice-cold milk was offered to students in lots of flavors and in plastic bottles, milk consumption and meal participation increased. A variety of flavors is a key component of the New Look of School Milk.

School Milk and Childhood Health Presentation

Dr. Rachel Johnson, University of Vermont, presented a compilation of her research, as well as that of many others, at the 2004 International School Milk Conference. Download the comprehensive presentation, School Milk and Childhood Health, which covers milk, flavored milk, calcium, competitive beverages and children's health, and builds a compelling case for serving flavored milk.

Drinking Flavored Milk Adds Calcium without Increasing Fat and Added Sugars

A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (JADA) in June, 2002 demonstrated that drinking flavored milk gives children more calcium without increasing fat and added sugars. Click here for the summary.

Voluntary Guidelines for Food/Beverages Sold at School

The Institute of Medicine Report and Dairy Products

Recently the 2007 National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, "Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools: Leading the Way Toward Healthier Youth" recommended nutrition standards be established for foods and beverages sold outside of the School Meal Program.

Read the IOM Report and Dairy Products, which reviews the status of existing dairy products served in school if the IOM recommendations are adopted.

National Dairy Council® has sent a letter to the Chair of the IOM Committee voicing concerns about the IOM recommendations and the impact they will have on dairy in schools. Read the letter.

Alliance for a Healthier Generation's School Beverage Guidelines

One group working on wellness initiatives is the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint initiative of the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation. The original school beverage guideline criteria for flavored milk was recently amended from 150 calories per eight-ounce serving to 180 calories per eight ounce serving until August 31, 2008. Find out more.