Flavoured Milk: What's all the Fuss?

I have a confession to make- I give Fussy Toddler flavored milk… Even after all the publicity about banning this controversial beverage from school cafeterias across the USA (read more at Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution). To be fair to myself, the reason I have given in to this ‘vice’ is that I’m concerned about said Toddler’s low calcium intake. Despite regularly offering her other rich sources, like cheese, tofu, beans and yogurt, being as she is, she will eagerly wolf down these foods today, only to reject them completely tomorrow, so there is no regular calcium source that’s as convenient as milk, and she drinks it almost everyday.

So what's all the hype about banning flavored milk from schools? It appears that the initial reason was to encourage milk consumption with the aim of improving nutritional quality and to discourage high intakes of sugary beverages, such as soft drinks (pop) and fruit juices. 

The findings of a fairly recent study of over 7000 children published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association supported the inclusion of flavored milk for school children and adolescents, finding a positive influence on nutritional status with no effect on weight. Sugar intake did not differ between milk drinkers and non-milk drinkers. Bear in mind this study was funded by the Dairy Council.

Still, childhood obesity statistics in the US are alarming. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report about 17% of children and adolescents between ages 2 and 19 are obese. Also, certain racial and ethnic groups, particularly in low-income societies, are at much higher risk. There is an urgency that we need to do something about this epidemic, and I guess sugar-loaded milk was an easy target.

Is it a step in the right direction? Children learn to eat a certain way through a variety of factors: it begins in their homes, but elements such as peer pressure, media, taste preferences (we all have a hedonistic preference for sweet things), and access to food/food availability, all influence their food choices. So yes, I think it is a very good place to start. With the right 'marketing', clever nutrition education and health promotion in schools, it can be very successful. All school districts are also revamping their menu's to reduce bad fats and sugary foods, and hopefully using innovative ways to encourage more fresh fruits and vegetables.

Until I get Fussy Toddler (Daughter #2) to drink plain milk exclusively, here are some strategies I use in the meantime:
I try to offer plain milk regularly, especially when her sister is drinking it, in a special cup with a colourful straw, and that seems to work sometimes. I prefer to use chocolate milk mix powder or strawberry-flavored syrup mixed with plain milk instead of buying the pre-made flavored milk, because I can easily control how sweet to make it (I use just enough to flavor it). Secondly, most commercially available flavored milks contain 1% fat, whereas I prefer to use 2% or whole milk for my petite toddler who could do with the extra calories. Other ideas are flavoring milk with blended fruit, offering smoothies, or adding a few drops of vanilla extract and honey to vary the taste. With the heat, I've also been making yogurt pops, which are the current favorite.Very occasionally I buy chocolate milk from the store as a treat for Daughter #1, and by diluting it with plain milk they both find it just as acceptable!