7/15/2013
Research published in the journal Pediatrics is challenging the recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the American Academy of Pediatrics that encourages children under age four to drink three servings of reduced-fat milk per day. Researchers say the trade-off for calcium doesn’t outweigh the significantly heavy amounts of sugar and calories. Children can receive calcium from other better-for-you foods, including beans, green leafy vegetables, and nuts.
Chocolate milk should also be avoided, say researchers. Reduced-fat chocolate milk has the same calories as unsweetened whole milk, 15 grams more sugar, and only 3 fewer grams of saturated fat.
Researchers say the milk consumption has been guided by marketing and quotas rather than actual nutritional factors.
SOURCE: Pediatrics, David Ludwig, Lead Author, Children’s Hospital, Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115; 617-495-1000; david.ludwig@childrensharvard.edu; www.hsph.harvard.edu.
© 2013 Business Valuation Resources, LLC (BVR). May not be reproduced without written consent of publisher.