Chocolate Milk or White Milk?
Dear Dr. Cory:
Our 4-year-old insists on drinking chocolate
milk instead of white milk. Is that OK, and if not,
do you have any suggestions as to what we
can do?
Samantha B.
North Carolina
Dear Ms. B.:
Chocolate milk contains more sugar and calories than white milk. But it gives your child
nutrients such as calcium, potassium, protein, magnesium, and vitamin D not found in
fruit drinks or sports drinks. To control your child’s sugar intake, make your own
chocolate milk by adding a little chocolate syrup or powder to a glass of 1 percent or
skim white milk. You can gradually add less chocolate as time goes by. To avoid food
struggles, suggest a compromise, such as drinking a glass of white milk at least once a
day. It is particularly appealing when served really cold. Try putting a glass of
unflavored milk in the freezer a short time before serving. In addition to chocolate milk,
continue to offer unflavored milk with meals and snacks. Eventually your child may
surprise you and choose unflavored milk instead! Adults might be interested to know
that a recent study in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise
Metabolism found chocolate milk to be an optimal recovery drink for high-endurance
athletes!
Here’s what the National Dairy Council has to say about flavored milk served in
schools:
“All milk, including flavored milk, contains nine essential nutrients needed for good
health. To meet the needs of the evolving school nutrition environment, since 2006, the
U.S. dairy industry has reduced added sugars by 38 percent in the flavored milk
offered in schools. Today, the majority of flavored milk in schools is 150 calories or fewer
– approximately just 31 more calories than white milk.
These product innovations are receiving a warm welcome in the lunch line as well. A
new study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics showed that
elementary students drinking flavored milk with fewer calories were as likely to drink
most of their milk as those students who were provided flavored milk containing slightly
more calories and sugar. Since all milk, including flavored milk, helps Americans –
especially children – meet needs for critical nutrients of concern (calcium, potassium
and vitamin D) as identified by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, it is
important to know how children will accept these new milk products.”
If you have a children's health question, Dr. Cory would like to hear from you.
Disclaimer: The Ask Dr. Cory health information is for general educational purposes
only. It is not intended to, and does not, provide medical advice, diagnosis, or
treatment. You should always consult your family doctor when you have medical
questions or concerns about you or your family's health. If this is an emergency, call
911, or contact emergency services in your area.