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Dairy Council Digests Archives 
Flavored Milk: Questions & Answers
Volume 79, Number 6 November/December 2008
Summary

Flavored milk is white cow’s milk whole, low-fat, fat-free)with added flavoring (chocolate, strawberry, etc.) and sweetener(s). This highly preferred, nutrient-rich beverage is just as nutritious as unflavored (white) milk. Both flavored and white milk provide several nutrients (i.e., calcium, potassium, and magnesium) that are low in children’s and adults’ diets.

Currently, more than half of children ages 2 to 8 and three-quarters of adolescents fail to consume recommended servings of low-fat or fat-free milk or milk products.Therefore, it is important not to limit children’s and adolescents’ access to flavored milk due to its sugar content. Doing so may have the undesirable effect of further reducing intakes of many essential nutrients provided by milk.

Children’s consumption of flavored milk has been shown to increase their total milk and nutrient intakes and reduce their intake of soft drinks and other energy-dense, nutrient-poor beverages. Moreover, a recent study found that drinking flavored or white milk was not associated with adverse effects on children’s and adolescents’ body mass index.

A review of the scientific literature indicates that flavored milk such as chocolate milk consumed in moderation does not cause overweight/obesity, tooth decay, or hyperactivity and other behavioral disorders in children. Also, chocolate milk contains a negligible amount of caffeine and the little amount of oxalic acid in chocolate milk does not impair calcium absorption. Emerging research indicates that chocolate milk may help adults recover from strenuous, energy-depleting resistance exercise.

Several health professional organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry support consumption of flavored milk, a nutrient-rich beverage, in moderation. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans state that small amounts of sugars added to nutrient-dense foods, such as reduced-fat milk, may increase consumption by enhancing palatability, thus improving nutrient intake without contributing excessive calories.

Flavored milk contains both natural (lactose) and added sugars. On average, flavored milk contains an additional 4 teaspoons of sugar and 60 calories per 8 ounces due to the addition of sucrose and/or other nutritive sweeteners. Flavored milk contains less added sugar than other beverages consumed by children, such as fruit drinks and soft drinks. There is no current consensus on a national school nutrition standard for flavored milk, however, suggestions have been made to reduce the amount of sugar in foods and beverages in schools. The dairy industry, through new product innovation, is developing reduced sugar flavored milk formulations that will appeal to children.

 

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Table of Contents:


Dairy’s Health Benefits

Getting three servings of low-fat or fat-free, nutrient-rich dairy foods every day plays a crucial role in helping to promote bone health, healthy blood pressure and a healthy weight.

Dairy’s Unique Nutrient Combination

Together, low-fat and fat-free milk, cheese and yogurt deliver a unique combination of nutrients. Learn more about these nine essential nutrients and their role in building strong bones, a healthy diet, and more.