Dairys Halo Shines on Children

Milk and other dairy foods have always been a natural source of nutrition. Now, with strong new recommendations from the government and the medical community, dairy foods offer a “healthy halo” that savvy food product developers can leverage in products for children.

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that children consume more nutrient-dense low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products to improve overall diet quality and bone health. Based on years of nutrition research, the dietary guidelines advocate three servings a day of fat-free or low-fat milk or milk products, such as milk, cheese or yogurt, for children and adolescents age 9 and older.

A 2006 report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “Optimizing Bone Health and Calcium Intakes of Infants, Children, and Adolescents,” provides similar guidance for milk and dairy consumption. “Eating three to four servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods will help children get the calcium they need to build strong bones, which will benefit them throughout life,” says Dr. Frank Greer, FAAP, chairman of the AAP Committee on Nutrition and co-author of the report.

“Three servings of dairy per day will help meet requirements for three of the five nutrients children and adolescents are lacking: calcium, magnesium and potassium,” according to Greg Miller, Ph.D., FACN, executive vice president, innovation, National Dairy Council® (NDC)/Dairy Management, Inc.™ (DMI), Rosemont, IL.

Drinking up nutrition 

Milk and dairy foods provide 72% of the calcium available in the food supply as well as substantial amounts of protein, potassium, phosphorus, riboflavin, vitamin B12, zinc, magnesium, and vitamins A and D. Consuming milk and milk products improves the nutritional quality of children’s diets, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (2003, 103:1503).

On a per-serving basis, a standard 8- oz. glass of 1% milk contains 102 calories, 8 grams of protein, 12 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fat and only 107 mg of sodium, according to the USDA (National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 18). This same glass contains 366 mg of potassium, 27 mg of magnesium and 478 IU of vitamin A. The calcium content is well known, with 8 oz. containing 290 mg of calcium, or 30% of the Daily Value (DV), and 100 IU of vitamin D, or 25% of the DV.

Further, numerous studies testify to the importance of consuming the right amount of calcium and other essential nutrients at an early age. Calcium intake during childhood and adolescence influences peak bone mass to help prevent osteoporosis later in life, as reported in several studies conducted by Dr. Velimir Matkovic, Ph.D., et al. with the most recent in the Journal of Nutrition (2004, 134(3):701S-705S), or dating back to his study related to timing and peak bone mass published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (1994, 93:793).

Milk and milk products contain an abundance of nutrients important for children’s bone health. A longitudinal study of the relationship of dietary and lifestyle factors to bone mineral indexes in children ages 2 to 8 years found that higher intakes of energy, calcium, phosphorus, protein, magnesium and zinc were correlated with significantly greater bone mineral density at age 8 (Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2005: 105:735-741). Another study found that, during childhood and adolescence, milk consumption and dietary calcium intake are positively associated with bone mineral content or bone mineral density in adolescent females (British Medical Journal, 1997, 315:1255).

Changing tastes 

Despite milk’s benefits, a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health (1997, 20:20-26) indicates beverage choices can change by or during adolescence, and calcium and/or dairy intake among females drops. Studies have found that increased intake of carbonated soft drinks may be associated with a reduced likelihood of milk consumption. Preschool, school-age and adolescent children with carbonated soft drink intakes of more than 266 ml per day (9 fl. oz.) were 2.9 to 3.9 times more likely to consume less than an 8-oz. glass of milk per day, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (1999, 99(4):436-441), reporting on the nutritional consequences of soft drink consumption among U.S. children and adolescents. A study examining the trends in beverage consumption among females ages 12 to 19 found that milk intakes decreased by 36%, whereas intake of carbonated soft drinks and fruit drinks almost doubled from the late 1970s to the mid 1990s, according “Correlates of Beverage Intake in Adolescent Girls: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study,” published in the Feb. 2006 issue of The Journal of Pediatrics (148:183-187). At age 12, 78% drank milk and also had the lowest soda intake, while at age 19, only 36% drank milk, plus a high amount of soda. Those who did not drink milk had inadequate intakes of vitamin A, folate, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.

Everyday dairy 

With all of the documented benefits for milk and dairy, and the carbonated soft-drink market declining in 2005 for the first time ever, how can product developers leverage the good news for their products consumed by children?

They can use milk and other dairy ingredients to provide nutrition, plus great taste and functionality. Bravo! Foods International, North Palm Beach, FL, for example, markets flavored milks and smoothies bottled in 8-, 14- and 16-oz. shelf-stable packages. These beverages are positioned as a great-tasting, fun beverage choice for kids.

The 3 Musketeers® Chocolate Milk, which relies on lowfat and fat-free milk for its base, contains 140 calories and a total of 3 grams of fat and 2 grams of saturated fat per serving. In addition, the product supplies 11 grams of protein and a host of nutrients, including 40% of the DV of calcium, 25% of the DV for vitamin D and 18% DV for potassium.

A product for older children by the Dannon Company, Inc., White Plains, NY, is Frusion®, a snack alternative based on low-fat yogurt that blends fruit with dairy in a 10-oz. serving. The Peach Passion Fruit Blend variety, for example, contains 260 calories yet only 3.5 g of fat. Each serving supplies 25% DV of calcium, 35% of vitamin D, 30% of riboflavin, 20% of phosphorus, plus 8 grams of protein and other important vitamins.

Another approach to using dairy ingredients in the children’s market can be seen in the H.E. Buddy Pediatric Nutritional Drink, made by PBM Products, Gordonsville, VA. This nutritional drink fortified with whey protein concentrate is aimed at children who are “picky eaters.”

A search of the Mintel Global New Products Database reveals thousands of products, from beverages and baked goods to snacks and entrées, already using the goodness of milk, from fluid and ultra-filtered milk to dry milk powers and whey protein concentrates and isolates. With milk’s nutritional halo shining bright these days, it’s time to look at dairy in to children’s food and beverage products.

Pete Huth, Ph.D., is director, regulatory and research transfer, NDC/DMI. Judith Jarvis, M.S., R.D., is director of nutrition and scientific affairs, NDC/DMI. For more information, visit

www.innovatewithdairy.com.