Flavoured Milk

What's the buzz on flavored milk? Research from the University of Vermont published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association confirms that flavored milk is a healthy beverage choice for kids and adults. The study evaluated data from USDA's Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals to determine the typical beverage intake of nearly 4,000 children and adolescents, ages 5-17. Here's what it found:

• Results showed that children who drink flavored milk consume fewer nutrient-void soft drinks and fruit drinks (those containing less than 10 percent fruit juice) than children who don't drink flavored milk.

• The study also found that children who consume chocolate or other flavored milk have higher calcium intakes in comparison with children who do not consume flavored milk.

• Children who consume flavored milk did not have higher intakes of added sugars or total fat in their overall diet in comparison with children who do not consume flavored milk.

• Children who consume flavored milk had higher total milk intakes when compared to non-consumers of flavored milk.

• Previous research indicates that children and adolescents who are high consumers of soft drinks have lower intakes of riboflavin, folate, vitamins A and C, calcium and phosphorous.