Few subjects are as hotly debated among nutritionists as the issue of whether flavoured milks, specifically chocolate milk, should be sold in schools. I'm referring to low fat chocolate milk that is packaged in 250 ml serving-sized cartons, not larger portions of the drink and definitely not the bottles of milkshakes that come in candy bar flavours.
Given the staggering rates of childhood obesity across North America, it's understandable that flavoured milk is a contentious topic. Parents fear their kids' taste buds will get hooked on sweetened milk. School officials worry that students' extra sugar intake will lead to weight gain.
Yet, epidemiological studies, randomized controlled trials and health agencies provide consistent evidence that the quality of children's and adolescents' diets actually improves when sugars are added to otherwise nutrient-rich foods. And in the case of flavoured milks, have no adverse impact on weight status.
This makes sense after comparing nutrition labels. The caloric difference between a 250 ml serving of one per cent plain milk and one per cent chocolate milk is about 45 calories; a similar portion of plain and flavoured fortified soy beverages reveals a caloric difference of approximately 35 calories--roughly the same caloric value as a rice cake, which is not going to significantly pack on the pounds.
Nutrition labels also tell us that milk and fortified soy beverages, plain or flavoured, are equally good sources of calcium, protein and vitamins A, D and B12. It's the sugar content that brings to light the inequality, with flavoured milk or fortified soy beverages having anywhere from 20 to 26 grams of carbohydrates per 250 ml serving. This translates into two to 3.5 teaspoons of added sugar, respectively. And, yes, that's a lot.
However, we can't ignore study outcomes, such as the Canadian Community Health Survey, that inform us that more than a third of boys and girls, aged four to nine years old, don't meet the daily minimum recommendation of two milk and alternatives servings outlined by Canada's Food Guide. Consumption drops even further as kids get older.
Nutrition researchers advise us that it's healthier to get our nutrients from food versus dietary supplements. Children and teens seldom have difficulty noshing yogurt or cheese but many struggle with downing a glass of plain milk or unflavoured fortified soy beverage; they simply don't like the taste. Nor do most adults.
According to Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in B.C. Schools--a document that was initially published in 2005 by the Ministries of Health and Education--some brands of chocolate milk, in 250 ml servings, are allowed to be sold to students.
The guidelines establish strict nutrition standards regarding caloric, fat, sodium and sugar content by dividing food and beverage choices into one of four categories: "Not Recommended," "Choose Least," "Choose Sometimes" and "Choose Most."
For milk-based beverages, the "Choose Most" carbohydrate criteria is 20 grams or less and less than 200 mg for sodium per 250 ml serving. The "Choose Sometimes" criteria allows for 21 to 36 grams of carbs per serving. Dairyland's Reduced Sugar 1% Chocolate Milk and Foremost Dairy's 2% chocolate milk are two examples of products that manufacturers have reformulated to fit the "Choose Most" category. School boards should consider selling 250 ml servings of flavoured So Good soy beverages; their nutrient profiles suit the "Choose Most" classification.
The impact of banning flavoured milk in a U.S. school district was the subject of a study published in 2009 in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. The school district's total milk purchases were compared for a three-month period before and after removing flavoured milk and showed a stunning reduction in milk purchases at all grade levels. Study authors concluded that the nutritional trade-off of eliminating approximately 60 calories from added sugar wasn't worth the lowered consumption of foods that provided kids with valuable nutrients.
You're blessed if your child drinks plain milk or fortified soy beverages without a hitch. But if your youngster struggles with meeting the minimum servings recommended, consider this: allow for low fat flavoured milk by reducing your child's intake of other sweetened foods that aren't as nutrient dense. Because moderately consuming flavoured milk or fortified soy beverages, meaning a 250 ml serving daily, beats no intake of milk or fortified soy beverages black and blue.
Linda Watts is a registered dietitian. Send questions to [email protected].
