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People can get heart disease, cancer, fat, and high cholesterol from drinking chocolate milk

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People can get heart disease, cancer, fat, and high cholesterol from drinking chocolate milk

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"I’ve been struggling with my addiction for the past 10 years, and have never quite conquered it. The addiction that I am talking about is chocolate milk."

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"I’ve been struggling with my addiction for the past 10 years, and have never quite conquered it. The addiction that I am talking about is chocolate milk."

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-the dairy guy

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D.C schools have banned chocolate milk. 

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D.C schools have banned chocolate milk. 

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Is Chocolate Milk Healthy for Kids? - Kids’ Health Center - Everyday Health

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Serving chocolate milk in school cafeterias is once again under attack, but is chocolate milk really that unhealthy for kids? Nutrition expert Joy Bauer weighs in.

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Chocolate milk contains added sugars and therefore more calories that can lead to more overweight and obesity. In the United States, 1/3 of children are already overweight and obese and at higher risk for chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

blog.aicr.org

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"Chocolate milk provides all the good nutrition of white milk and the same 16 nutrients. A deliciously satisfying drink, its ingredients are basically fresh milk, cocoa and sugar." says dairyfarmers.ca

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"Chocolate milk provides all the good nutrition of white milk and the same 16 nutrients. A deliciously satisfying drink, its ingredients are basically fresh milk, cocoa and sugar." says dairyfarmers.ca

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Chocolate milk has been ban from San Francisco 

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Chocolate milk has been ban from San Francisco 

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“Milk, as I keep saying, is not anessential nutrient. Chocolate orstrawberry milk is a dessert.”– Marion Nestle, PhD, Professor of Nutrition,Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University

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“Milk, as I keep saying, is not anessential nutrient. Chocolate orstrawberry milk is a dessert.”– Marion Nestle, PhD, Professor of Nutrition,Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University

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Serving Size	 	1 cup (240mL)Servings Per Container	 	about 8 	 	 Amounts Per Serving	 	 Calories	 	160Calories from Fat	 	25 	 	  	 	% Daily Values↓*Total Fat	2.5g	4%Saturated Fat	1.5g	8%Trans Fat	0g	Cholesterol	10mg	4%Total Carbohydrate	27g	9%Dietary Fiber	<1g	2%Sugars	25g	Protein	8g	Vitamin A		10%Vitamin C		2%Vitamin D		25%Calcium		30%Iron		4%*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higheror lower depending on your calorie needs.Calories:	2,000	2,500Total Fat	Less Than 65g	80gSaturated Fat	Less Than 20g	20gCholesterol	Less Than 300mg	300mgSodium	Less Than 2,400mg	2,400mgTotal Carbohydrate	300g	375gDietary Fiber	25g	30gAcoording to dairygold

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Serving Size	 	1 cup (240mL)Servings Per Container	 	about 8 	 	 Amounts Per Serving	 	 Calories	 	160Calories from Fat	 	25 	 	  	 	% Daily Values↓*Total Fat	2.5g	4%Saturated Fat	1.5g	8%Trans Fat	0g	Cholesterol	10mg	4%Total Carbohydrate	27g	9%Dietary Fiber	<1g	2%Sugars	25g	Protein	8g	Vitamin A		10%Vitamin C		2%Vitamin D		25%Calcium		30%Iron		4%*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higheror lower depending on your calorie needs.Calories:	2,000	2,500Total Fat	Less Than 65g	80gSaturated Fat	Less Than 20g	20gCholesterol	Less Than 300mg	300mgSodium	Less Than 2,400mg	2,400mgTotal Carbohydrate	300g	375gDietary Fiber	25g	30gAcoording to dairygold

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-Ellie

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chocolate milk contains 14 grams of added sugar, usually in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, which translates as 3.5 teaspoons or 52.5 calories.

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chocolate milk contains 14 grams of added sugar, usually in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, which translates as 3.5 teaspoons or 52.5 calories.

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Heart Association Says Too Much Chocolate Milk a Health Risk

The U.S. dairy industry spends millions trying to convince parents that medical professionals are firmly behind feeding kids milk spiked with sugar as a healthful way to deliver calcium and Vitamin D. Dairy interests pay for "research" that conveniently delivers the message that chocolate milk is a better choice than Coke. Proxies such as the School Nutrition Association and the American Dietetic Association then make sweeping statements implying that physicians approve kids drinking unlimited amounts of milk that tastes like candy.

It's all part of a well-oiled public relations campaign that deftly obscures the truth about how various medical groups approach sugar in food. The dairy industry has a lot riding on keeping things murky: For decades, milk sales have been plummeting, but sales of flavored milk have tripled. It would be very helpful indeed if the nation's medical doctors all stood behind the dairy industry's campaign to put a carton of chocolate milk on every kid's cafeteria tray.

In this first report on the actual policies of various medical groups the dairy industry calls allies, I look at how the American Heart Association, once pre-occupied with the fat Americans eat, is now focused on the risks of heart disease and other dangers posed by the excessive amounts of sugar we and our children consume-including flavored milk.

Read closely and you may find that your child already is drinking more chocolate milk at school than the heart association thinks wise.

In 2009, the heart association issued guidelines on sugar urging that men consume no more than 150 calories worth of "added sugar" daily, and women no more than 100. To put that into perspective, 150 calories of sugar represents the amount in 10 teaspoons, or a bit less than the sugar in a 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola.

The heart association reasons that Americans already eat too much and exercise too little. We therefore have little room for "discretionary" calories in the form of sugar, which has no nutritional value. If you are an average sort of guy, consider that can of Coke your entire allotment of sugar for the day.

In January of this year, the association in its journal Circulation published an article identifying cardio-vascular risks for adolescents who eat too much sugar. A third of all U.S. children are overweight or obese. On average they get more than 21 percent of their calories from "added" sugars, meaning sugars that don't occur naturally in food-such as the sugar in an apple-but are put there by the food industry to sell product. (Manufacturers aren't required to identify how much sugar they've added to prepared foods, but consumers can get a fair idea by reading ingredient and nutrition labels carefully.)

A detailed survey of 2157 adolescents aged 12 to 18, conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in the years 1999 to 2004, revealed that sugar consumption was positively correlated with several key risks of cardio-vascular disease, including increased triglyceride levels, suppressed HDL ("good" cholesterol) and elevated LDL ("bad" cholesterol). Researchers pointed to an emerging body of science linking sugar and refined carbohydrates with these and other health risks, such as insulin resistance-a precursor to diabetes-and increased fat production by the liver. They said the federal government's position on sugar was out of date.

"In 1986, the Sugars Task Force of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published a review of the research then available and concluded that there was no conclusive evidence of an association between sugar consumption and (cardio-vascular disease) or its risk factors," the researchers said. "Since then, the results of several new epidemiological studies and short- and long-term experimentsal studies have provided more evidence linking the intake of carbohydrates and sugars (particularly fructose) and increased risk of (cardio-vascular disease). And importantly, consumption of added sugars has risen substantially since the research reviewed in the Sugar Task force report was done."

According to the heart association, no more than half of discretionary calories-those beyond what are needed to provide proper nutrition-should be consumed as sugar. For children, figuring out what that means can be tricky, since kids come in all shapes and sizes and have different energy and nutritional needs depending on how old and how active they are. Along with its "food pyramid," the U.S. Department of Agriculture has published a chart indicating the discretionary calorie allowances for children of different age and activitiy levels.

For instance, an 11-year-old girl who gets less than 30 minutes worth of "moderate exercise" most days would be allowed 130 discretionary calories. According to the heart association, only half of those-65-should come from sugar. By comparison, a typical eight-ounce serving of chocolate milk contains 14 grams of added sugar, usually in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, which translates as 3.5 teaspoons or 52.5 calories.

This girl might well have a container of chocolate milk for breakfast. But a second container at lunch would put her 40 calories over her sugar limit-and that represents all the sugar the heart association thinks she should be eating the entire day. In other words, no cupcake at her classmate's birthday party, no soda on the way home, no ice cream for dessert after dinner, no sucking on a lollipop while watching television.

By contrast, a 16-year-old boy who is very active-meaning he gets at least 60 minutes worth of moderate physical activity most days-would be entitled to 650 discretionary calories, half of those-325-from sugar. That represents a much bigger flavored milk allowance-more than six eight-ounce cartons of chocolate milk.

The point is that millions of children already are drinking too much flavored milk at school. Some are taking it at breakfast, lunch and in supper programs-three times a day-then stopping at a convenience store for a 24-ounce Coke containing 290 calories worth of high-fructose corn syrup to drink on the way home. Is it any wonder kids are obese?

The heart association recommends that Americans limit their consumption of sugary beverages-including sodas, sports drinks and ice teas-to no more than 36 ounces per week.

In April of this year, the association urged the USDA to impose a limit on the amount of sugar in school food, something the agency in all the rules and regulations governing the school meals program has never attempted before. The heart association suggests that new school meal guidelines, now pending, should restrict a single serving of milk to 130 calories or less to hold down the sugar content, and cereal to no more than 7 grams of total sugar. (A 1.25-ounce serving of Kellogg's Raisin Bran contains 11 grams of sugar.)

The association says it is disappointed the USDA would allow schools to serve half of all fruit portions as juice. Too much sugar. It would rather schools serve exclusively whole fruit.

"It just makes sense if you're asking the American public to reduce sugars you wouldn't add more sugar than needed to flavored milk," said heart association science advisor Dorothea Vafiadis. "There has to be a limit."

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Heart Association Says Too Much Chocolate Milk a Health Risk

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The U.S. dairy industry spends millions trying to convince parents that medical professionals are firmly behind feeding kids milk spiked with sugar as a healthful way to deliver calcium and Vitamin D. Dairy interests pay for "research" that conveniently delivers the message that chocolate milk is a better choice than Coke.

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"Chocolate milk has the same 16 nutrients as white milk"

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For Canadian goodness,
look for the logo

How to make the most of it

Sweet dreams

A comforting way to relax before bed is with a warm glass of milk. Heat milk gently and slowly for a smooth consistency.

A cup of creamy goodness

For a more luxurious-tasting hot chocolate with a boost of nutrients, blend the mix with milk instead of water.

Keep it cool

At the grocery store, place the carton of milk in your shopping cart last and, at the cash, pack it up in an insulated reusable bag to keep it cool and fresh.

Goodness monthly

Sign up for our newsletter, and get inspiration for living well and eating local.

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For Canadian goodness, look for the logo How to make the most of it Sweet dreams A comforting way to relax before bed is with a warm glass of milk. Heat milk gently and slowly for a smooth consistency.

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"The case against chocolate milk for kids is that it contains too much sugar and too many calories. The other side of that argument is that kids won’t drink unflavored milk and thus will lose out on the nutrients milk provides." - https://www.drweil.com/diet-nutrition/nutrition/is-chocolate-milk-a-healthy-drink/

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Ingredients: Nonfat Milk, Liquid Sucrose, Fructose, Cocoa, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Natural Flavor, Salt, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3. In some choco milk

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Ingredients: Nonfat Milk, Liquid Sucrose, Fructose, Cocoa, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Natural Flavor, Salt, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3. In some choco milk

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 "However, the truth is non-organic, processed chocolate milk comes from cows that have been treated with growth hormones."- Living Traditionally.

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 "However, the truth is non-organic, processed chocolate milk comes from cows that have been treated with growth hormones."- Living Traditionally.

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In 2016, 26 percent of Kitsap eighth-graders were overweight or obese

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In 2016, 26 percent of Kitsap eighth-graders were overweight or obese

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CLOSE

The debate over the whether to serve chocolate milk in school is hardly new.

A recent recommendation by the Kitsap Public Health District's top health official affirms the position that the nutritional benefits of flavored milk outweigh the risks of the added sugar.

Dr. Susan Turner, health officer for the agency, reviewed scientific studies and statements by national health experts and concluded, "The current state of science does not support eliminating chocolate milk from school lunches."

Turner, in a report to the Kitsap Public Health Board earlier this month, said she was spurred to review research on chocolate milk in schools by comments from parent Amber Ellis.

Ellis, formerly of Bremerton, had urged the health board in June to pressure school districts to remove excess sugar from lunches, primarily in the form of chocolate milk. Ellis was particularly concerned that low-income students, who typically eat both lunch and breakfast at school, are at greater risk of obesity and other health impacts from added sugar in their diets. Ellis also spoke to the Bremerton school board, which took no action to change its policy.

"Our position continues to be that the benefits of chocolate milk far outweigh the negatives, particularly in high poverty areas like ours," spokeswoman Patty Glaser said.

Turner, in her report to the health board, noted that childhood obesity is a "significant concern." In 2016, 26 percent of Kitsap eighth-graders were overweight or obese. Added sugars in food and drinks have been implicated as a primary cause of obesity and related health issues. But the experts do not consider chocolate milk in the same category as beverages like regular soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, or sweetened tea and coffee drinks, Turner said.

Unlike sugar-sweetened beverages, which are mostly or entirely empty calories, milk contains calcium and vitamin D, needed for healthy bone development. Low bone density can cause fragile, brittle bones, especially later in life, resulting in fractures.

Some of the studies Turner looked at showed decreased milk consumption when chocolate milk was removed from the menu. A 2015 study of elementary school children in Saskatoon, Canada, found a 48 percent decline in total milk consumption when flavored milk was eliminated.

"Calcium consumption, especially for girls and especially during adolescence, is critical to peak development of bone mass," Turner said. "It's important to note that removing chocolate milk from the school lunch menu can actually be damaging."

Central Kitsap School District, like most in the area, serves fat-free chocolate milk and low-fat plain milk. Because of student preferences, about 85 percent of the milk purchased by the district is chocolate. (Photo: Chris Henry / Kitsap Sun)

Researcher Marlene Schwartz challenges that notion, citing research she conducted through the University of Connecticut's Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity. Schwartz and her colleagues found plain milk consumption rebounded over two years at two K-8 public schools where chocolate milk had been removed from the menu. During the first year, 50 percent of students drank plain milk, compared with 72 percent the second year. Incentives, like random prizes from stickers on milk cartons, had no measurable impact on consumption.

Schwartz said in any study, there will be some children who won't drink milk at all for varying reasons. Some ethnic groups, for example, drink less milk than others. Nutritional policies should be determined at the district level, to factor in the unique make-up of the student population, as well as the needs and desires of families, Schwartz said.

Schwartz said parents looking into the issue of chocolate milk in schools should consider the funding sources of research studies, some of which have ties to the dairy industry. That doesn't necessarily invalidate the study; it just needs to be weighed, she said.

While some districts around the country have gone the plain-milk-only route, Kitsap County school meal programs universally feature chocolate milk.

"I'm of the opinion that students should have the option of flavored milk, especially at lunch," said Dan Blazer, head of North Kitsap School District's nutrition program. "The benefits you get from drinking milk regardless of the added sugar far outweigh the negative aspect of kids not taking milk at all."

Sugar from all sources is evaluated as part of the total calories in weekly menus, which follow federal nutrition guidelines, Blazer said. The district offers nonfat chocolate milk at breakfast for grades 6-12 and nonfat chocolate milk at lunch for all grade levels in addition to nonfat and 1 percent white milk.

An easing of school lunch guidelines under the Trump administration would allow schools to serve 1 percent chocolate milk, but so far no districts in Washington State have sought the waiver to do so, according to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Recent invoices from Central Kitsap School District show kids' overwhelming preference for chocolate milk. Roughly 21,000 units of milk were purchased for a five-day period, roughly 18,000 of which were chocolate. The district doesn't track milk consumption. Sam Blazer, director of food and nutrition, notices many students don't take milk at all.

"I think really what it boils down to, it's the role of a school district to provide nourishment to help kids learn," Blazer said. "To do that, we have to find the tricky balance of finding items kids will like and eat."

So, how much sugar is in chocolate milk, and how does that compare to sugar-sweetened beverages?

All milk contains naturally occurring sugars, about 12 grams per 8-ounce serving. The formulation of chocolate milk varies by brand, commonly about 12 grams of added sugar. The American Heart Association, cited in Turner's research, endorses the recommendation that children limit their consumption of added sugars to no more than 25 grams per day (roughly six teaspoons).

A 12-ounce can of soda contains roughly 37 grams of added sugar, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That's 25 grams per 8-ounce serving, but figure that kids aren't likely to stop at one cup. Even "reduced sugar fruit-flavored drinks" have 12 grams of sugar per 8-ounce serving, the USDA reports.

The AHA concludes that added sugars can safely be consumed in low amounts. Most children, however, go above the recommendation - by some estimates way above. And chocolate milk is not the main culprit, Turner's research shows.

Dairy products, which includes flavored milk, account for 4 percent of added sugars in the American diet, according to the USDA. Beverages (other than 100 percent fruit juice) account for 47 percent. Sweets and snacks are 31 percent.

Studies cited by Turner show young people's milk consumption goes down the more sugar-sweetened beverages they drink.

Turner applauds parents like Ellis who are looking into their children's nutrition. She'd like people to consider the question of chocolate milk in the big picture. "There are many other sources of added sugar in children's diets," she said. "It's really important to consider all the sources of sugar in a child's diet. It's super important to look at it holistically and look at the recommended daily allowances."

"I am grateful to Dr. Turner for exerting the time and effort on our behalf," said Ellis, now living in Tacoma.

Ellis said she is still concerned about chocolate milk in school lunches but she and her husband Daniel have focused their efforts on candy and other sweetened treats offered in classrooms and school events.

For more information on nutrition, visit https://www.choosemyplate.gov/.

Read or Share this story: http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/2018/01/20/health-district-chocolate-milk-schools-ok/1045450001/

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Health district: Chocolate milk in schools OK

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CLOSE The debate over the whether to serve chocolate milk in school is hardly new. A recent recommendation by the Kitsap Public Health District's top health official affirms the position that the nutritional benefits of flavored milk outweigh the risks of the added sugar.

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calories - 160
sugar - 25g
everydayhealth.com

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Most of the west has banned Chocolate Milk.

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Most of the west has banned Chocolate Milk.

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"According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2006 New York City public schools began switching from whole milk to lowfat and fat free milk. The milk industry warned that student demand for milk would decrease. Although it did initially decrease, by 2009 children actually did drink more milk than in 2006." -  http://blog.aicr.org/2011/04/14/chocolate-milk-for-kids-healthy-or-not/

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"Unfortunately, it’s obvious the high-carb and sugary foods win out since they’re very popular with the kids."- Laura, a mom of a 10 year old

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Chocolate Milk is NOT Healthy!

My 10-year-old daughter absolutely HATES plain milk. I mean HATES it!!!

It's a real struggle each night to get her to drink it, even if there's the smallest amount in her glass. Sometimes I feel like I have a 4-year-old because she'll scrunch up her nose at the the mere sight of it. Quite often she'll beat my husband and I to the punch by filling her glass with water before we can pour milk in it. Most of the time I'll pour out the water and fill it with milk. Ha! But the times when we've already poured the milk for everyone she'll grin and ask, "Can I have Chocolate milk?" Sometimes we'll cave in, but not very often.

My mom's convinced she's not faking her distaste of milk - she truly doesn't like it. I, however, don't buy it. Why? Because she'll guzzle it as fast as a frat boy in a beer chugging contest as soon as Chocolate syrup is added to it. Heck, I do the same thing on the rare occasion I drink the stuff. There's no denying milk tastes better with Chocolate in it!

Unfortunately, I'm fully aware my kid isn't the only one who prefers Chocolate milk over plain milk. It's all about the sugar of course.

There's been a lot of talk recently about improving school lunch programs nationwide. I'm ALL for it!

I never bought lunch during my entire school career. NEVER! My parents felt "brown bagging it" was cheaper and healthier. Yay for my parents for doing this for my brother and I as this set the foundation for good eating habits (in general, of course!). Besides, I thought the school's food always looked and smelled horrible. This was just my perception though and I realize I'm in a small group of people who feel this way. Unfortunately, it's obvious the high-carb and sugary foods win out since they're very popular with the kids. Still, we need to get rid of all these unhealthy foods and replace them with healthier choices.

This includes CHOCOLATE MILK!

The dairy industry has long touted Chocolate milk as a great source of calcium and Vitamin D. They spend millions of dollars in advertising each year to get this message out and it's working. Parents, kids and schools are listening. Did you know schools account for approximately half of the dairy industry's revenue? HALF! You can bet your bottom dollar Chocolate milk is the main seller.

Unfortunately, and not surprisingly, what the dairy ads fail to tell you are two very important facts: Chocolate milk contains TWICE the amount of sugar as plain milk and sugar inhibits calcium aborption.

Are you kidding me? Chocolate milk contains TWICE the amount of sugar! UNBELIEVABLE! This means Chocolate milk contains more sugar than your average can of soda pop! WOW!!! I didn't know this chilling fact until I watched one of the Food Network's chefs, Jamie Oliver, give his acceptance speech for winning the TED prize. (SIDE NOTE: You've GOT to watch his video if you haven't seen it already. In fact, have your kids watch it WITH you! I did and it's a REAL eye-opener!)

When schools were cautioned about the high sugar content, their response was shocking. They feel it's more important for kids to get their calcium than to worry about the amount of sugar in it. If the sugar makes them drink their milk, then all the better.

WHAT???

I bet they'd change their line of thinking if they knew that sugar inhibits calcium absorption. I mean what's the point of kids drinking Chocolate milk for the calcium if the sugar in it won't allow their bodys to absorb it?

This is just wrong!

I guess the dairy industry is hoping the public won't catch onto these facts. After all, it's all about money now isn't it? Who cares about kids health, instead they're thinking, "Show me the money!"

Sad!
CHOCOLATE IS A TREAT, NOT A MEAL
Now, I'm sure you're wondering why I'm bashing Chocolate milk when this blog is solely about the LOVE of Chocolate, right? Well, quite honestly, I feel Chocolate is a special treat and NOT meant to be a meal!

Of course I'd be lying through my pearly whites if I told you I didn't dive into Chocolate now and then like it's going out of style. Yes, I've been known to consume more Chocolate in one sitting than I care to admit, BUT, I don't do this everyday. I feel the same way about kids and their Chocolate milk consumption (as well as other unhealthy food choices, of course). Chocolate milk should be a rare treat, not a daily assault of sugar on their growing bodies. Kids need as much calcium as they can get before the age of 16. After this age the body's ability to absorb calcium is greatly reduced.

So what are we to do?

For starters, my daughter takes her lunch to school so we can make sure she's eating properly, i.e., NO Chocolate milk! Secondly, if she does get Chocolate milk, it's a rare treat, NOT a daily part of her diet.

What do you think? Should we limit the amount of Chocolate milk our kids are drinking? Do you think it should be removed from school cafeterias?

I'd really love to know what you're thinking! Or am I the only one who feels this way?

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Got Chocolate - Celebrating All Things Chocolate Blog " Chocolate Milk is NOT Healthy!

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My 10-year-old daughter absolutely HATES plain milk. I mean HATES it!!! It's a real struggle each night to get her to drink it, even if there's the smallest amount in her glass. Sometimes I feel like I have a 4-year-old because she'll scrunch up her nose at the the mere sight of it.

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Clinics say that calcium has little to no benefits for kids bones.

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Clinics say that calcium has little to no benefits for kids bones.

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kids drink 10 to 15 cartoons of chocolate milk a week

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kids drink 10 to 15 cartoons of chocolate milk a week

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lily daubert

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a container of coke has 5 grams less sugar then chocolate milk 

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a container of coke has 5 grams less sugar then chocolate milk 

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hailey

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physicians approve kids drinking unlimited amounts of milk that tastes like candy.

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physicians approve kids drinking unlimited amounts of milk that tastes like candy.

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" so many kids are already struggling with their weight and unhealthy eating"

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" so many kids are already struggling with their weight and unhealthy eating"

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kids wont be able to concentrat if they keep drinking so much sugar

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kids wont be able to concentrat if they keep drinking so much sugar

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lydia

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Chocolate milk has between 8 and 12 additional grams of sugar added.4 So, about one-half of the sugar in chocolate milk is naturally-occurring lactose found in all milk.said dairy council of California. 

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Chocolate milk has between 8 and 12 additional grams of sugar added.4 So, about one-half of the sugar in chocolate milk is naturally-occurring lactose found in all milk.said dairy council of California. 

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because of the fact that it is chocolate milk and not regular milk, it has a lot of added sugar link below

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Given all the publicity around sugar-laden drinks and high fructose corn syrup, offering chocolate milk to your child can be a confusing prospect! I will attempt to weigh the pros and cons of chocolate milk, and in the end, I hope you will have enough information to take the fear out of offering chocolate milk, or confirm the feelings you have.

Chocolate milk is considered flavored milk. The addition of chocolate adds sugar, calories, and a boost of sweet flavor. Many children enjoy the addition of chocolate milk to their lunch, and the school lunch program has been scrutinized for making this beverage part of the daily fare for children.
Pros of Chocolate Milk:
Nutrient Composition: Chocolate milk has an abundance of necessary nutrients that children require for healthy growth and development, including protein, calcium, Vitamin D, and potassium. Unfortunately, we are blinded by sugar! Many parents hear the word chocolate and think sugar. These thoughts may override the important nutrients present in chocolate milk. Rest assured, the good nutrients outweigh the sugar, as long as balance is kept in the overall diet.

Taste: Chocolate milk tastes good! Children like to eat food that tastes good, and that holds true for drinking milk. Studies have indicated that milk consumption is higher in schools when chocolate milk (or flavored milk) is offered.

Sports nutrition: Chocolate milk has been studied as a post-exercise recovery drink, and from all indicators, chocolate milk has a positive impact on muscle recovery, and replenishment of glycogen stores in muscle tissue. From soccer players to cyclists, it appears that chocolate milk has positive effects on the body's ability to recover. Parents of athletes take note: 8 to 10 ounces of chocolate milk appears to do the trick.
Cons of Chocolate Milk:
Overconsumption: It's true with anything you eat-too much is too much, and this goes for chocolate milk also. Too much of a good thing can be bad for your child. Chocolate milk can be part of a healthy and satisfying diet for your child. Aim for three servings of dairy per day, and be conscious of the recommendations for sugar (less than 10% of total caloric intake).
For You To Decide:
Schools: Many schools have eliminated chocolate milk. Is this the right thing to do? When chocolate milk is pulled out of schools, overall milk consumption drops by an average of 35 percent. Studies suggest this occurred because fewer students choose milk (clearly their preference was chocolate/flavored over white), and more milk was wasted. Unfortunately, a new or improved acceptance of white milk simply did not occur.

Shortfall Nutrients: The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans state that calcium and Vitamin D continue to be shortfall nutrients (nutrients with inadequate intake) for children. And a review of calcium intake and status in children indicate that up to 50% of children as young as 2 years are not getting enough calcium. The dietitian in me knows that children can get calcium from other food sources, like fortified orange juice and green leafy veggies. The realist in me knows that many children don't choose to eat alternative calcium sources or they aren't served in the home.
Here's how I approach chocolate milk with my own children:
I aim for three servings of milk or dairy foods each day. I don't regularly purchase chocolate milk for my home. If they choose it at school, that's fine with me, as that will be the only place they will get it (and our school serves low-fat chocolate milk).

To villify and eliminate chocolate milk would mean that I would have to be consistent across the board, and eliminate the flavored coffee that I occasionally drink, the birthday cakes that I serve, the Thanksgiving pie in which I indulge, and the "fun food" (high fat, high sugar treats and junky food) that I sometimes let my children eat.

Making chocolate milk the "bad guy" gets us stuck in the muck, and it becomes difficult to classify and navigate the other foods in our less than perfect diets. It's less about chocolate milk, and more about the balance, variety, and amounts of all the foods we serve children. Let us be better at teaching our children about choice, variety, balance, and amounts, rather than spending time and energy instilling fear and confusion about chocolate milk.

What do you think about chocolate milk?

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Is Chocolate Milk Good or Bad? - Little Ones, Young Kids, Health, Wellness, & Safety, Health, Wellness, & Safety - Advantage4Parents

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Given all the publicity around sugar-laden drinks and high fructose corn syrup, offering chocolate milk to your child can be a confusing prospect! I will attempt to weigh the pros and cons of chocolate milk, and in the end, I hope you will have enough information to take the fear out of offering chocolate milk, or confirm the feelings you have.

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choclate milk has added sugar calories and extra flavors 

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choclate milk has added sugar calories and extra flavors 

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kids dont want to drink white milk anymore because they want chocolate milk or other flavored milks

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kids dont want to drink white milk anymore because they want chocolate milk or other flavored milks

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click to zoom

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"In April, The Washington Post reported that Fairfax County, Va., schools would reintroduce chocolate milk after they banned it "

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"In April, The Washington Post reported that Fairfax County, Va., schools would reintroduce chocolate milk after they banned it "

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here ava

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eighty-five percent of nonorganic milk contains rGBH

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The U.S. dairy industry invests millions trying to convince parents that chocolate milk is a necessary part of a child's diet. In fact, flavored-milk sales amount to around $2.5 billion annually. However, the truth is non-organic, processed chocolate milk comes from cows that have been treated with growth hormones. Around eighty-five percent of nonorganic milk contains rGBH, which is a genetically modified synthetic growth hormone used to increase a cow's milk production. Additionally, most chocolate milk contains low and non-fat milk, which has been found to inhibit the absorption of nutrients.

While the dairy industry tries hard to make it seem that chocolate milk is a healthy choice, it is actually very harmful to your child and you.

6 Shocking Reasons To Never Give Your Child Chocolate Milk

Contains Casein

The milk protein, casein, can irritate the immune system and stimulate mucus production, worsening allergy symptoms. This is why milk consumption is associated with recurrent childhood ear infections, eczema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and sinus conditions. Even those who are not allergic to milk and are spared digestive problems may find that symptoms related to these conditions improve when they eliminate milk and milk products.

Loaded with Sugar

Chocolate milk is loaded with sugar. One small carton of chocolate milk contains 30 grams of sugar. That is more than a can of soda. Sugar is extremely toxic and can cause heart disease, metabolic syndrome and cancer. Sugar causes insulin resistance, which leads to metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Scientists believe that having constantly elevated insulin levels can contribute to cancer. Additionally, sugar increases the concentration of bile acids in stool and bacterial enzymes in the colon, which can modify bile to produce cancer-causing compounds and colon cancer.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup has been found both to cause liver damage and to promote obesity. HFCS is also linked to destroying the brain , and oftentimes contains low levels of brain-destroying mercury.

Carrageenan

Many scientific, peer-reviewed studies found that food-grade carrageenan can cause gastrointestinal inflammation, ulcerations, lesions and even colon cancer in laboratory animals. Additionally, recent studies funded by the American Diabetes Association have linked the consumption of food-grade carrageenan to insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in mice.Artificial Flavor

Artificial Flavor

Artificial flavors are made from hundreds of chemicals. Some artificial flavors use ingredients from petroleum. They can contain substances such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein or monosodium glutamate which you will not find on packages. Unfortunately, food manufacturers do not have to disclose the actual flavoring ingredients.

Does NOT Build Strong Bones BUT Depletes Calcium

Did you know that the calcium in cows milk is hardly absorbable by people and, and in fact, depletes calcium supplies in the bones. Amy Lanou Ph.D., nutrition director for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, D.C., states that:
"The countries with the highest rates of osteoporosis are the ones where people drink the most milk and have the most calcium in their diets. The connection between calcium consumption and bone health is actually very weak, and the connection between dairy consumption and bone health is almost nonexistent."
image credit
References:

http://www.jamieoliverfoodfoundation.org/usa/facts/JOFR_milkfactsheet_4.11.pdf

http://cspinet.org/new/pdf/mccann.pdf

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6 Shocking Reasons To Never Give Your Child Chocolate Milk

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The U.S. dairy industry invests millions trying to convince parents that chocolate milk is a necessary part of a child's diet. In fact, flavored-milk sales amount to around $2.5 billion annually. However, the truth is non-organic, processed chocolate milk comes from cows that have been treated with growth hormones.

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Kids can not have too much sugar or they will have a sugar rush

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Kids can not have too much sugar or they will have a sugar rush

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lydia

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Chocolate milk can cause bad cramps. Says Dr Weil

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Chocolate milk can cause bad cramps. Says Dr Weil

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"chocolate milk is soda dressed up" says a lunch lady"

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"chocolate milk is soda dressed up" says a lunch lady"

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lydia

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68 % say chocolate milk should be banned from schools

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The push for chocolate milk as a workout recovery drink for adults appears to have been triggered by efforts of schools throughout the U.S. to remove chocolate and other flavored milks from kids' cafeteria choices. This has hurt dairy industry revenues; flavored-milk sales reportedly dropped in four of the past five years but still amount to about $2.5 billion annually.

The case against chocolate milk for kids is that it contains too much sugar and too many calories. The other side of that argument is that kids won't drink unflavored milk and thus will lose out on the nutrients milk provides. I think they can, and should, get those nutrients elsewhere. The notion that we need milk throughout life has been fostered by the dairy industry. Except for people of northern European origin, most adults worldwide can't digest lactose, the natural sugar in milk. This is because as we mature, our bodies stop making the enzyme that breaks it down. As a result, many may develop gas, cramps and/or diarrhea whenever milk is consumed.

But lactose intolerance isn't the only problem with milk and milk products. The milk protein, casein, can irritate the immune system and stimulate mucus production, worsening allergy symptoms. This is why milk consumption is associated with recurrent childhood ear infections, eczema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and sinus conditions. Even those who are not allergic to milk and are spared digestive problems may find that symptoms related to these conditions improve when they eliminate milk and milk products. You can learn about healthy milk substitutes here.

In addition, you should know that milk does not necessarily build strong bones. Studies from the Harvard School of Public Health show that populations with the highest dairy intake have the highest rates of hip fractures.

The idea that adults should drink chocolate milk after a strenuous workout appears to stem from a single, small study published in the February 2006 issue of the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. The study, which was partially funded by the dairy industry, included only nine participants, male cyclists who rode their bikes until their muscles were exhausted and then drank either low-fat chocolate milk, Gatorade or a sports drink that provides protein plus more carbohydrates than these beverages typically contain. The cyclists rested for four hours after their drinks and then rode again. The study found that those who drank the chocolate milk were able to ride about 50 percent longer than those who drank the sports drink and about as long as those who drank Gatorade.

I haven't seen any evidence suggesting that adults who work out regularly but who aren't endurance athletes would be better off drinking chocolate milk after exercise. If you did, you might end up taking in as many calories as you just burned. Instead, I recommend drinking more water than you think you need after exercising. Studies have shown that recreational runners tend to drink less than they need - before, during and after exercise. If you've lost a lot of salt or potassium from exercise, you can replace them by eating some fruits or vegetables.

As for chocolate - it has a place in a healthy diet as a treat, not as a milk flavoring. I enjoy high-quality dark chocolate from France, Belgium, Italy, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Limit yourself to an ounce several times a week. If you can't find good, imported chocolate, look for a domestic brand that contains at least 70 percent cocoa.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Share Dr. Weil's expertise with your friends & family

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Is Chocolate Milk a Healthy Drink? - Ask Dr. Weil

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The push for chocolate milk as a workout recovery drink for adults appears to have been triggered by efforts of schools throughout the U.S. to remove chocolate and other flavored milks from kids' cafeteria choices. This has hurt dairy industry revenues; flavored-milk sales reportedly dropped in four of the past five years but still amount to about $2.5 billion annually.

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"1% white milk = 102
1% chocolate milk = 158
Fat-free chocolate milk = 130"
http://blog.aicr.org/2011/04/14/chocolate-milk-for-kids-healthy-or-not/

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"Too much sugar and too many calories" - Dr. Andrew Weil M.D.
https://www.drweil.com/diet-nutrition/nutrition/is-chocolate-milk-a-healthy-drink/

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"Children are consuming too many calories from sugar. The additional sugar in flavored milk can add up to an extra 5 pounds of body weight over the course of a school year." says chef Ann Cooper.

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The National Dairy Council is launching a new campaign today - Raise your Hands for Chocolate Milk. The gist of it:

Schools MUST keep chocolate milk available for children to choose at lunchtime.

Milk is a much better choice nutritionally than sodas or juice.

Chocolate milk has only 60 more calories than plain milk.

Kids love it and will therefore drink more milk.

While this sounds great, there's a problem not addressed: Children are consuming too many calories from sugar. The additional sugar in flavored milk can add up to an extra 5 pounds of body weight over the course of a school year, says chef Ann Cooper, Renegade Lunch Lady of Boulder, CO.
So is this new campaign justified?

Few people would argue that drinking milk instead of soda pop is a bad choice. And anyone who has children knows that their attraction to sweet is like a magnetic force. So if adding some sugar and flavor is the vehicle to get children drinking milk, it makes sense that we all raise our hands for chocolate milk.

The question then becomes, how much added sugar?

Would you add over 3 teaspoons of sugar to your child's 8 oz cup of milk?

Probably not. But that's exactly the amount being added to kids' chocolate milk.

We asked Karen Kafer, RD, VP Health Partnerships at National Dairy Council, about all that added sugar. She responded that in market testing conducted by the milk manufacturers, the 3 added teaspoons seemed to be the magic number that got kids to drink the most milk. She did not disagree that less sugar would be better, but added that right now that's what manufacturers are selling because that's what kids like.

The problem for many parents is that once kids get used to sweet, it's hard to get them back to "un-sweet". At home they may be used to drinking plain milk, or very lightly sweetened milk at breakfast (flattened teaspoon of Nesquik anyone?). But once they start school and get a daily fix of super sweet chocolate milk, they'll demand the same at home.

So here's a challenge to the National Dairy Council - work with the processors of flavored milks to schools and get them ALL to agree to a gradual reduction in the sugar content of their products. Maybe not overnight, but in the course of a year or two, they can easily cut those 3 teaspoons of sugar down to one. Everyone wins -

1. Children will be getting an even healthier product without even noticing a taste sacrifice

2. Manufacturers won't lose market share because all of them will be taking this step at the same time

3. The National Dairy Council will earn extra credit for promoting a holistic nutrition approach, not just milk

And one more request to the manufacturers - although chocolate milk has no artificial colorings, the strawberry milk does. Red 40 has been associated with hyperactivity in children and is being phased out in the UK. Please, please remove it from your products and use natural colors instead.

What to do at the supermarket:

As a matter of practicality, buying prepared chocolate milk is very convenient. However the Yoo-hoos of the world are extremely sweetened. One option is to mix it with regular milk to lower the sugar content. Another is to buy the powders or syrups and control how much you add to each glass of milk.

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Sugar: The Unhealthy Side Of Chocolate Milk

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The National Dairy Council is launching a new campaign today - Raise your Hands for Chocolate Milk . The gist of it: Schools MUST keep chocolate milk available for children to choose at lunchtime. Milk is a much better choice nutritionally than sodas or juice. Chocolate milk has only 60 more calories than plain milk.

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Chocolate milk is as healthy as a candy bar