A new ad campaign from the dairy industry is stirring up quite a debate. The ads say that without the sugary flavoring in chocolate milk, some kids won’t drink regular milk and won’t get its nutrients. Critics say kids will drink white milk if it’s the only milk offered, and that they already get too much sugar, which is adding to the country’s obesity problem.
Should schools serve chocolate milk? What do you think?
This is a tough one…part of my says take the chocolate milk out of the schools as I am quite concerned about childhood obesity. The other part of me says kids need to learn to make proper nutritional choices when not in the presence of their parents. Education doesn’t stop in the classroom….I think there are lessons to be learned in the cafeteria, too.
Once again, someone is blaming the food industry for childhood obesity. What ever happened to recess when kids could go out and play while working off their lunch or snack break? One question: Is physical education still a course at schools? Personally, I believe there is no harm in chocolate milk at schools. Get rid of the soda and candy vending machines in the schools. That will help. Get those kids outside or in the gym to play. It’s called “exercise”.
George, I wish you were right, but the food supply is the major problem.
I am not a supporter of the dairy industry or anything they offer. That said, the obesity problem is more global, and needs a broad action program rather than singling out one item.
I think it is the parents that need to educate the children, those choices will echo in what is purchased and schools will adjust accordingly.
I am trying to think back to when I was in school (so very long ago) – I can’t even remember if we had chocolate milk or not…
As a student, I can say I don’t think I can recall any of my fellow classmates who chose white milk over the chocolate. This is pretty sad, and personally I wouldn’t drink either, but to make a point; if the chocolate milk was taken away from the varied choices of beverages, kids more than likely would just resort to the vended sodas and sugary drinks provided for a little extra cash. Yes chocolate milk isn’t really at all any better but I must agree if the choco. milk was removed, kids whether they be ages 10 and below or a High school student, they wouldn’t resort to a “healthier” choice of the regular white milk or water.
Mary – Thanks for your perspective. It’s nice to hear from a student about this. I can’t believe so many people choose the chocolate milk over the regular!
As parents we need to teach our kids to make healthy choices. I have no problem with chocolate milk as a special treat once in awhile and think hot chocolate on a cold day is therapeutic. Still, kids are kids and will choose sweets and snacks over healthy anytime. Since that’s the case, schools should only offer water and skim milk for the kids and shouldn’t give them access to fruit drinks and sodas in vending machines. Parents need to oversee what kids are bringing to school, too. Overall we need to teach kids that plain milk is pretty darn good tasting and that you don’t need to add tons of sugar to everything – cereal and yogurt come to mind – to make things taste good. The Denver Post did a terrific story on this today at http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13891388
Anne-Marie – thanks for the link!