A study published last week by the Journal of the American Dietetic Association shows that the removal of flavored milk from schools can result in a precipitous decline to total milk consumption.
Some schools have been removing flavored milk in hopes of decreasing students’ caloric intakes. But the study, conducted in a Westton, Conn., showed total milk consumption can drop more than 60%.
The study compared two three-month periods: September through November 2007 and 2008. When flavored milks were removed in 2008, milk purchases declined 63% in K-2, 62% in Grades 3 – 5, 50% in Grades 6 – 8, and 37% in high school.
The study concludes: “It is important for school districts to consider the nutrition implications when developing school wellness policies. The nutritional trade off for the elimination of approximately 60 calories of high fructose corn syrup is a reduction in foods that deliver important nutrients…such as calcium, potassium and vitamin D….”
