Crescent Shadows On-Line Newsletter of the Hudson Valley Pagan Network, Inc.

(a timely article for the season of Ostara...)

How much do you know about the favorite milk choice of kids everywhere - chocolate milk?

Test your chocolate milk IQ by answering a few simple questions.
 
 

True or false? 1. Chocolate milk has less nutrients than white milk. 2. Chocolate milk can help fight the calcium crisis facing young people. 3. Chocolate milk can cause hyperactivity. 4. The caffeine content in chocolate milk can affect kids’ behavior.  5. Chocolate milk can protect kids’ teeth from decay.

Answers
1. False. Chocolate milk provides the same amount of essential nutrients as white milk, including calcium, protein, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B-12, potassium, phosphorous, riboflavin and niacin. The only difference is the chocolate milk has about 60 more calories per serving, which can easily fit into a growing child’s total diet.

2. True, American kids are drinking less milk, and as a result, more than half are not getting the calcium they need, says National Dairy Council ®. Offering chocolate milk can entice kids to drink more milk.

3. False, says Marianne Neifert, M.D., a Denver pediatrician, mother of five, author and contributing editor to Parenting magazine. Also popularly known as “Dr. Mom,” Neifert says “several recent studies have re-confirmed that sugar does not cause hyperactivity or mood swings in children, nor does it interfere with academic performance.” Chocolate milk has less sugar per serving than cola, and also comes in a sugar free version.

4. False. Chocolate milk also has gotten a bum rap for its caffeine content. “But, the tiny amount of caffeine in chocolate milk is too small to affect most children,” counters Dr. Mom. “colas, on the other hand, may contain up to ten times more caffeine than chocolate milk.”

5. True. Parents concerned about children’s teeth will find that a chocolate milk offers a pleasant surprise. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, chocolate milk is less likely to cause cavities than sticky foods. “In fact the calcium, phosphorous and cocoa in chocolate milk may actually protect teeth from decay,” adds Dr. Mom.

With these myths debunked- and a variety of choices available- including whole, reduced fat, low-fat, fat free and sugar free-there’s no reason to deny kids this tasty and nutritious beverage.

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Last Updated: January 30, 2002
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