Aa
Nation's Second-Largest School District May Ban Chocolate Milk
What are your thoughts on this?
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/05/09/nations-second-largest-school-district-ban-chocolate-milk/
With increased media attention on America’s growing childhood obesity epidemic, school districts are under pressure to make student lunches healthier—and some are doing so by banning flavored milks.
It all started when Florida considered a statewide ban in schools last fall, and other districts have replaced milks with high-fructose corn syrup with sugar—often viewed as a more natural sweetener.
The latest development comes from John Deasy, superintendent of Los Angeles Unified, the nation's second-largest school district, who announced that over the summer he will be pushing to remove chocolate and strawberry milks from school lunches.
But nutritionists — and parents — are split over whether bans make sense, especially when about 70 percent of milk consumed in schools is flavored, mostly chocolate, according to the industry-backed Milk Processors Education Program.
Many, including the School Nutrition Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association, American Heart Association, and National Medical Association, argue that the nutritional value of flavored low-fat or skim milk outweighs the harm of added sugar. Milk contains nine essential nutrients including calcium, vitamin D and protein.
A joint statement from those groups points to studies that show kids who drink fat-free, flavored milk meet more of their nutrient needs and are not heavier than non-milk drinkers.
"Chocolate milk has been unfairly pegged as one of the causes of obesity," said Julie Buric, vice president of marketing for the Milk Processors Education Program.
Others note the nation's child obesity epidemic and say flavored milk simply needs to go.
Eight ounces of white milk served in Los Angeles public schools contains 14 grams of natural sugar or lactose; fat-free chocolate milk has an extra six grams of sugar for a total of 20 grams, while fat-free strawberry milk has a total of 27 grams — the same as eight ounces of Coca-Cola.
"Chocolate milk is soda in drag," said Ann Cooper, director of nutrition services for the Boulder Valley School District in Louisville, Colo., which has banned flavored milk. "It works as a treat in homes, but it doesn't belong in schools."
Flavored milk is also a target of British TV chef Jamie Oliver, who has made revamping school food a signature cause.
For a segment to be aired on his "Food Revolution" TV show, he recently filled a school bus with white sand to represent the amount of sugar Los Angeles Unified school children consume weekly in flavored milk.
"If you have flavored milk, that's candy," he told The Associated Press.
Oliver cheered Deasy's proposal to remove flavored milk from schools during a recent joint appearance on the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show.
If the school board adopts the ban, Los Angeles Unified would join districts including Washington and Berkeley, Calif.
But efforts by some other districts turned sour after children drank less milk. Milk consumption drops by 35 percent when flavored milks are removed, according to the Milk Processors Education Program.
Cabell County, W.Va., schools brought chocolate milk back at the recommendation of state officials, and Fairfax County Va., did the same after its dairy provider came up with a version sweetened with beet sugar rather than high-fructose corn syrup.
The Florida Board of Education also backed away from its proposed ban on chocolate milk after the state agricultural commissioner urged the board to look at all sugary food and beverages served in schools.
The Los Angeles district has worked with its dairy supplier on flavored versions using the sweetener Truvia and chicory, district spokesman Robert Alaniz said.
Cooper and others argued children will drink plain milk if that's what's offered.
"We've taught them to drink chocolate milk, so we can unteach them that," Cooper said. "Our kids line up for milk."
Boulder Valley hasn't been barraged with complaints since removing chocolate milk two years ago, but it hasn't tracked whether milk consumption has dropped, she said.
Parents line up on both sides of the issue.
Deborah Bellholt, a South Los Angeles mother, said none of her six children ranging from pre-school to high school age will drink plain milk. "By allowing kids flavored milk, they still get the calcium they need," she said. "If not, they'd bypass it."
But Mimi Bonetti, a suburban Los Angeles mother with two elementary school-age children who drink plain milk, said she gets angry that chocolate milk is portrayed as nutritious. Children can get calcium and other nutrients from other foods, she said.
"If you offer them the choice of chocolate or plain, of course they're going to choose chocolate," Bonetti said. "When you're telling kids that drinking chocolate milk is a healthy choice, it's sending the wrong message."
Ask kids, and most vote for chocolate. Suburban Los Angeles seventh-grader Nacole Johnson said plain milk tastes yucky. If there were no chocolate milk, "I wouldn't drink it," she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/05/09/nations-second-largest-school-district-ban-chocolate-milk/
With increased media attention on America’s growing childhood obesity epidemic, school districts are under pressure to make student lunches healthier—and some are doing so by banning flavored milks.
It all started when Florida considered a statewide ban in schools last fall, and other districts have replaced milks with high-fructose corn syrup with sugar—often viewed as a more natural sweetener.
The latest development comes from John Deasy, superintendent of Los Angeles Unified, the nation's second-largest school district, who announced that over the summer he will be pushing to remove chocolate and strawberry milks from school lunches.
But nutritionists — and parents — are split over whether bans make sense, especially when about 70 percent of milk consumed in schools is flavored, mostly chocolate, according to the industry-backed Milk Processors Education Program.
Many, including the School Nutrition Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association, American Heart Association, and National Medical Association, argue that the nutritional value of flavored low-fat or skim milk outweighs the harm of added sugar. Milk contains nine essential nutrients including calcium, vitamin D and protein.
A joint statement from those groups points to studies that show kids who drink fat-free, flavored milk meet more of their nutrient needs and are not heavier than non-milk drinkers.
"Chocolate milk has been unfairly pegged as one of the causes of obesity," said Julie Buric, vice president of marketing for the Milk Processors Education Program.
Others note the nation's child obesity epidemic and say flavored milk simply needs to go.
Eight ounces of white milk served in Los Angeles public schools contains 14 grams of natural sugar or lactose; fat-free chocolate milk has an extra six grams of sugar for a total of 20 grams, while fat-free strawberry milk has a total of 27 grams — the same as eight ounces of Coca-Cola.
"Chocolate milk is soda in drag," said Ann Cooper, director of nutrition services for the Boulder Valley School District in Louisville, Colo., which has banned flavored milk. "It works as a treat in homes, but it doesn't belong in schools."
Flavored milk is also a target of British TV chef Jamie Oliver, who has made revamping school food a signature cause.
For a segment to be aired on his "Food Revolution" TV show, he recently filled a school bus with white sand to represent the amount of sugar Los Angeles Unified school children consume weekly in flavored milk.
"If you have flavored milk, that's candy," he told The Associated Press.
Oliver cheered Deasy's proposal to remove flavored milk from schools during a recent joint appearance on the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show.
If the school board adopts the ban, Los Angeles Unified would join districts including Washington and Berkeley, Calif.
But efforts by some other districts turned sour after children drank less milk. Milk consumption drops by 35 percent when flavored milks are removed, according to the Milk Processors Education Program.
Cabell County, W.Va., schools brought chocolate milk back at the recommendation of state officials, and Fairfax County Va., did the same after its dairy provider came up with a version sweetened with beet sugar rather than high-fructose corn syrup.
The Florida Board of Education also backed away from its proposed ban on chocolate milk after the state agricultural commissioner urged the board to look at all sugary food and beverages served in schools.
The Los Angeles district has worked with its dairy supplier on flavored versions using the sweetener Truvia and chicory, district spokesman Robert Alaniz said.
Cooper and others argued children will drink plain milk if that's what's offered.
"We've taught them to drink chocolate milk, so we can unteach them that," Cooper said. "Our kids line up for milk."
Boulder Valley hasn't been barraged with complaints since removing chocolate milk two years ago, but it hasn't tracked whether milk consumption has dropped, she said.
Parents line up on both sides of the issue.
Deborah Bellholt, a South Los Angeles mother, said none of her six children ranging from pre-school to high school age will drink plain milk. "By allowing kids flavored milk, they still get the calcium they need," she said. "If not, they'd bypass it."
But Mimi Bonetti, a suburban Los Angeles mother with two elementary school-age children who drink plain milk, said she gets angry that chocolate milk is portrayed as nutritious. Children can get calcium and other nutrients from other foods, she said.
"If you offer them the choice of chocolate or plain, of course they're going to choose chocolate," Bonetti said. "When you're telling kids that drinking chocolate milk is a healthy choice, it's sending the wrong message."
Ask kids, and most vote for chocolate. Suburban Los Angeles seventh-grader Nacole Johnson said plain milk tastes yucky. If there were no chocolate milk, "I wouldn't drink it," she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
I agree, those choices sound great margy
More exercise is no doubt the answer, kids sitting all day whatever food they eat is not a good idea, I dont know why the schools cant offer soups and salads, maybe with some nice whole meal bread and cheeses...juice and water .yoghorts and low fat puds ...
When I was in high school, the food there was far better than what was served at the middle and grade school level... at least you had a choice daily. Normally it was a choice between tomaine (sic) tacos or salmonella salad, but it was a choice nonetheless.
Our high school here has a pretty healthy lunch program.... middle school too for that matter. Fresh salad bar, and there are a few choices of a hot entree or cold sandwiches. But soda is not offered, neither are those energy drinks that are so popular. They do sell some coffee drinks and black coffee though..... whatever.
The food is part of the problem, no doubt. But taking Phys. Ed out of schools hasn't helped a thing. The idea behind that was for educational purposes and our kids don't seem to be really any smarter for it.
We used to cherish the "war stories" and the scabs, the loose teeth and everything that came with playing hard. Now kids get carpal tunnel from typing on key boards and thumb cramps from video game joy sticks.....
Our high school here has a pretty healthy lunch program.... middle school too for that matter. Fresh salad bar, and there are a few choices of a hot entree or cold sandwiches. But soda is not offered, neither are those energy drinks that are so popular. They do sell some coffee drinks and black coffee though..... whatever.
The food is part of the problem, no doubt. But taking Phys. Ed out of schools hasn't helped a thing. The idea behind that was for educational purposes and our kids don't seem to be really any smarter for it.
We used to cherish the "war stories" and the scabs, the loose teeth and everything that came with playing hard. Now kids get carpal tunnel from typing on key boards and thumb cramps from video game joy sticks.....
I think chocolate milk is the least to worry about. I'm with you, AHP, the fat laden, excessive salty school lunches are the worst! I used to work in a grade school cafeteria (I think the middle and high schools are worse) for 2 years and I didn't drink the milk but found I did gain a few pounds eating there, lol, and I tried to eat mostly off the salad bar. I got my lunches free working there
. Lots of pizza, spaghetti or other noodle dishes, tator tots, french fries, fried fish sticks, chicken nuggets, etc. Sometimes they'd serve pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream for a treat for lunch! Sure, it's good, but my goodness, sugar and carb overload!
Of course these are all foods kids love but lots of fried, greasy, carb, fat and salt laden dishes! It's a wonder the kids didn't fall asleep in class after lunch!
They did at least have a salad bar that the kids could eat and I leaned towards eating mostly that when I worked there.
Has anyone ever watched Jamie Oliver's TV show about trying to change school cafeteria foods? It's pretty good.
. Lots of pizza, spaghetti or other noodle dishes, tator tots, french fries, fried fish sticks, chicken nuggets, etc. Sometimes they'd serve pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream for a treat for lunch! Sure, it's good, but my goodness, sugar and carb overload!
Of course these are all foods kids love but lots of fried, greasy, carb, fat and salt laden dishes! It's a wonder the kids didn't fall asleep in class after lunch!
They did at least have a salad bar that the kids could eat and I leaned towards eating mostly that when I worked there.
Has anyone ever watched Jamie Oliver's TV show about trying to change school cafeteria foods? It's pretty good.
Well when ya got all these kids medical issues being paid by the state, welfare and the such then I imagine big brother has got a say since they be paying the bill. I think we need to get back to common sense and exercise and understanding what a parent is and what theyre responsibilities are to their children. These kids are the future of America, someone better start giving a dam.
It is about control and a bigger government ...that's what they are doing , taking as much control over our lives as we will allow them ...
I think it is about big brother ie: Governments telling us what to feed our kids.I understand there is an obesity problem but I don't think they should be telling us what to let our kids eat and drink,exercise is more important.
Why don't governments help with the cost of sport for our kids instead of wasting money on stupid research.
Why don't governments help with the cost of sport for our kids instead of wasting money on stupid research.
I remember those good old days of playing outside after school and all the activities you mentioned! Wow! Its like music to my ears on a rare day when I will hear kids on bicycles going by. Thanks for the memory. It made me remember how fast I fell asleep at night too!
Ain't this something? You know, is this really about the relationship between chocolate milk and childhood obesity, or is it really about taking Phys. ED out of the schools and childhood obesity?
During grade school, way back in the days when we wrote on walls with charcoal, we had a morning recess for about 15 minutes, a lunch time recess for about 35 minutes and often another... but we got the 2 for sure. In 6th grade, Phys ED was a course. It was an hour long, every day of the school year, and this went on through 10th grade. After school, we rode bikes, played football/baseball/basketball until the street lights came on, did homework and ate dinner that mom made. On Saturdays, mom seldom saw me unless she ran into me on the streets.... we (kids) were too busy building forts, playing army.... we might take a break and come home for lunch... maybe.
Nowadays, kids sit and play video games or cruise the internet. Phys ED is all but gone for my 8th grader.... twice a week I think, they participate in Phys. ED. I don't think my 11th grade had P.E. since last year and it too was split with a health class.
My 8th grader has a very selective diet. He has hypersensitive tastebuds, so basically he is a meat, some fruit, bread and cheese kind of guy. He has the metabolism of a humming bird and has only gained weight because of his growth. He also is involved with sports. My 11th grader can and will eat anything. He has self image/self esteem issues. His diet is horrible when out of sight from his parents and gets very little exercise. He and I are blessed with the same metabolism.... I can hear myself getting fat, but I am on a diet and get regular exercise. I thought my routine would rub off on him, but to no avail. We mention the issue to him and it further spins him out. We are currently seeking the help of a therapist concerning his issues.....
Kids just aren't getting the exercise they used too. Blame the parents, blame the school system, blame the food choices.... blame whoever you want if it makes you feel better. Push for P.E. to be part of the regular school days.... try your best to monitor what you child eats. That's all you can do....
During grade school, way back in the days when we wrote on walls with charcoal, we had a morning recess for about 15 minutes, a lunch time recess for about 35 minutes and often another... but we got the 2 for sure. In 6th grade, Phys ED was a course. It was an hour long, every day of the school year, and this went on through 10th grade. After school, we rode bikes, played football/baseball/basketball until the street lights came on, did homework and ate dinner that mom made. On Saturdays, mom seldom saw me unless she ran into me on the streets.... we (kids) were too busy building forts, playing army.... we might take a break and come home for lunch... maybe.
Nowadays, kids sit and play video games or cruise the internet. Phys ED is all but gone for my 8th grader.... twice a week I think, they participate in Phys. ED. I don't think my 11th grade had P.E. since last year and it too was split with a health class.
My 8th grader has a very selective diet. He has hypersensitive tastebuds, so basically he is a meat, some fruit, bread and cheese kind of guy. He has the metabolism of a humming bird and has only gained weight because of his growth. He also is involved with sports. My 11th grader can and will eat anything. He has self image/self esteem issues. His diet is horrible when out of sight from his parents and gets very little exercise. He and I are blessed with the same metabolism.... I can hear myself getting fat, but I am on a diet and get regular exercise. I thought my routine would rub off on him, but to no avail. We mention the issue to him and it further spins him out. We are currently seeking the help of a therapist concerning his issues.....
Kids just aren't getting the exercise they used too. Blame the parents, blame the school system, blame the food choices.... blame whoever you want if it makes you feel better. Push for P.E. to be part of the regular school days.... try your best to monitor what you child eats. That's all you can do....
I think the schools need to go back to serving nutritious meals and if the parents want the kids to have soda, etc then let them buy it for their kids. Our nation is out of control and while I agree that I dont want someone telling me what I can or cannot eat for feed my kids, I do expect the schools to provide decent nutrition and not go for junk food and the like. I am amazed they have pizza at school. Yuck! Mom and dad can decide wht to feed their kids after school hours.
And we thought it would all stop at the smoking level? Now the attention turns from smokers to fat people. That perverbial can of worms has been opened. And lets face it, our kids are fat and lazy.
And we thought it would all stop at the smoking level? Now the attention turns from smokers to fat people. That perverbial can of worms has been opened. And lets face it, our kids are fat and lazy.
ha ha this is very true (the ick served as lunch). I will never forget when I was a kid watching as they used an ice cream scoop to scoop out this stuff and plop it on the trays.
If you can make everything home made--its the best way to go-
Have you noticed how all the food is getting really strange? We always bought organic milk. A while back I noticed the date seemed wrong. I thought hmmm, how can milk last that long? Well, I found out they double process it (something like that) to change the structure of it so it will last longer on store shelves.
If you can make everything home made--its the best way to go-
Have you noticed how all the food is getting really strange? We always bought organic milk. A while back I noticed the date seemed wrong. I thought hmmm, how can milk last that long? Well, I found out they double process it (something like that) to change the structure of it so it will last longer on store shelves.
Lol, bbxx.
I'd rather see more of an effort to improve the "nutritious" slop that's served in school cafeterias than see flavored milk banned. I'll bet the chocolate milk is healthier than the processed, canned, pre-packaged, salty, carb-filled, saturated fat bomb, flavorless junk that's served in school cafeterias.
Can you tell I'm not a huge fan of school lunches? lol.
I'd rather see more of an effort to improve the "nutritious" slop that's served in school cafeterias than see flavored milk banned. I'll bet the chocolate milk is healthier than the processed, canned, pre-packaged, salty, carb-filled, saturated fat bomb, flavorless junk that's served in school cafeterias.
Can you tell I'm not a huge fan of school lunches? lol.
Lets ban all chocolate since it causes cravings.
Lets ban all starchy foods since people can easily want more.
Lets ban turkey--after all it makes some people sleepy--and what if they get sleepy while
driving.
Lets ban all drinks except water to prevent excess calories.
Lets ban scented deodorant since someone may have a reaction somewhere.
Lets ban shoelaces since they can be dangerous if one trips over them. Velcro for everyone.
I am sure we can come up with a much longer list. Anyone?...
Lets ban all starchy foods since people can easily want more.
Lets ban turkey--after all it makes some people sleepy--and what if they get sleepy while
driving.
Lets ban all drinks except water to prevent excess calories.
Lets ban scented deodorant since someone may have a reaction somewhere.
Lets ban shoelaces since they can be dangerous if one trips over them. Velcro for everyone.
I am sure we can come up with a much longer list. Anyone?...
I saw this and had to comment. lol
I dont want anyone telling me how or what to eat. I dont have a weight problem, but if I did, it would be mine not anyone elses. When I was growing up my sister could not drink milk. She would literally gag. Chocolate was the only way could drink it. Guess what--we didnt have candy bars or cookies or chips in our house hardly EVER! This is just stupid. Let me guess, sugar will be banned and in its place a dangerous chemical will be sold to put in our foods so we can have the taste and no calories.
I dont want anyone telling me how or what to eat. I dont have a weight problem, but if I did, it would be mine not anyone elses. When I was growing up my sister could not drink milk. She would literally gag. Chocolate was the only way could drink it. Guess what--we didnt have candy bars or cookies or chips in our house hardly EVER! This is just stupid. Let me guess, sugar will be banned and in its place a dangerous chemical will be sold to put in our foods so we can have the taste and no calories.
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