Chocolate Milk = Nutrition + Taste
Taste is the driving factor in adults’ food choices, and that is no different for children. Thankfully, chocolate milk’s nutrition is equally as amazing as its creamy, refreshing taste.
As a registered dietitian and a mom, it is important to me that the foods I offer my children are nutritionally balanced, but also taste good. I am well aware of the host of nutrients and health benefits that regular milk and dairy provide. Plus, this powerhouse drink is vital for bone health, especially during the teen years.
Chocolate Milk Nutrition Facts
The teenage years are a time of rapid growth when children accumulate 25% of their bone mass. The majority of a person’s bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys. If the right nutrients (calcium in particular) are not obtained during these years, peak bone mass may never be achieved, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis. The good news is that with adequate nutrient intake, this is very much preventable. Chocolate milk nutrition can help children and teens.
In fact, studies show that when flavored milk is on the menu, kids drink more milk, benefiting from bone-building nutrients. Specifically, they do not consume more added sugar, fat, or calories than kids who don’t drink flavored milk. My son has consumed chocolate milk just about every single day of his life and is now a 6’3” multi-sport high-school athlete.
As a dietitian, I promote chocolate milk as part of a healthy diet for many reasons. One, it tastes great and it is loaded with 9 essential nutrients. Full fat and low-fat chocolate milk contain bone-building calcium, vitamin D, and potassium!
While flavored milk does contain more sugar than plain milk, it’s probably less than you think. Most of the flavored milk served in schools only contains 1 ½ to 2 teaspoons of added sugar. The benefit of enjoying added sugar in milk versus in a beverage like soda is that in milk, the added sugar is packaged with nutrients. Full fat chocolate milk
Chocolate milk doubles as a sports drink and a great post-exercise beverage. It supplies nutrients for refueling, rehydrating, and aiding in muscle recovery and maintenance. Enjoy the simple protein-packed recipe below. Click here to find more recipes using chocolate milk.
Do you have lactose intolerance? Learn more about lactose-free chocolate milk nutrition.
Chocolate Milk & Peanut Butter Chia Pudding
1 1/2 cups chocolate milk
4 tablespoons powdered peanut butter
5 tablespoons chia seeds
Chopped peanuts (optional garnish)
Mini chocolate chips (optional garnish)
1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours or until it thickens to your preference.
2. Top with garnishes just before serving.
Yield: 4 Servings (serving size: 1/2 cup)
Nutrition Breakdown: Calories 150, Fat 6g (Saturated Fat 1g), Cholesterol 5mg, Sodium 100mg, Carbohydrate 18g, Fiber 7g, Protein 8g.
DiabetesPlate Plan: 1 Milk, 1 Protein
No matter how you like to eat or drink chocolate milk, chocolate milk nutrition does not disappoint, and neither does its comforting taste. Here at The Dairy Alliance, we promote delicious, healthy dairy, and chocolate milk does not disappoint.
Kim Beavers, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist for University Health Care System. She is the co-host of the culinary nutrition segment Eating Well with Kim. To be notified of new recipes join Kim’s Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/eatingwellwithkim.
Kim Beavers, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist for University Health Care System. She is the co-host of the culinary nutrition segment Eating Well with Kim. To be notified of new recipes join Kim's Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/eatingwellwithkim.