Question
No More Chocolate Milk?!
Physical Science Studies: Structure, Interactions, and Properties of Matter
Chocolate milk has long been viewed as the spoonful of sugar that makes the medicine go down. However, the nation's epidemic of childhood obesity has an increasing number of school leaders wondering whether the nutritional benefit of chocolate milk is really worth the extra calories that accompany it. This question has led many schools to prohibit flavored milk in cafeterias. Even the health-focused bans, however, have stirred controversy.
With childhood obesity rates on the rise, school districts face increasing pressure to provide healthy food options. Concerns about childhood obesity have brought chocolate milk in particular—a longtime staple on many lunch trays—under attack over the very ingredient that made it popular: sugar. Sugar adds extra calories and can lead to obesity. In response, schools across the country have modified their menus. They serve more fruits and vegetables and fewer sugar-laden items. Some schools have gone so far as prohibiting flavored milk altogether.
Some nutrition experts endorse the bans. They say that sugary-sweet flavored milk is unhealthy and simply needs to go. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, plain fat-free milk contains 12 grams of sugar in 8 ounces. In comparison, fat-free chocolate milk carries an extra 9 grams of sugar for a total of 21 grams. Fat-free strawberry milk is even worse. It packs a whopping 30 grams. That's more than the amount of sugar in eight ounces of Coca-Cola.
"Chocolate milk is soda in [disguise]," said Ann Cooper. Cooper is the former director of nutrition services for Colorado's Boulder Valley School District. The district has banned flavored milk. "It works as a treat in homes, but it doesn't belong in schools."
Other nutrition experts, however, oppose the bans on flavored milk. They argue that the nutritional value of chocolate and strawberry milk outweighs the drawback of added sugar. They point out that just like plain milk, flavored milk contains nine essential nutrients. These include calcium, vitamin D, and protein. In addition, they say, research shows that kids who drink fat-free flavored milk meet more of their nutrient requirements than those who don't drink any milk at all. And kids who choose flavored milk, they add, are no heavier on average than those who opt for the plain version.
"Chocolate milk has been unfairly pegged as one of the causes of obesity," said Julie Buric. Buric worked for the dairy industry's Milk Processors Education Program (MilkPEP).
MilkPEP pointed out that bans on flavored milk have turned sour in some districts. This has led officials to lift the bans. According to MilkPEP, about 70 percent of milk consumed in schools is flavored, primarily chocolate. When flavored milk is removed, the group says, milk consumption drops by 35 percent. If kids don't drink any kind of milk, they say, the students will miss out on the essential nutrients their bodies require.
Like nutritionists, parents line up on both sides of the issue.
Some parents reject the notion that kids will miss out on crucial nutrients if schools stop offering chocolate milk. They argue that kids will be inclined to drink the healthier plain milk if it's the only milk offered.
"If you offer them the choice of chocolate or plain, of course they're going to choose chocolate," said parent Mimi Bonetti. "When you're telling kids that drinking chocolate milk is a healthy choice, it's sending the wrong message."
Parent Deborah Bellholt says her children are reluctant to drink plain milk. She says the sugary flavoring in chocolate and strawberry milk is worth the extra calories—if it induces her kids to drink milk.
"By allowing kids flavored milk, they still get the calcium they need," Bellholt said. "If not, they'd bypass it."
Just ask Los Angeles student Nacole Johnson. If it weren't for the chocolaty version of milk, she said, "I wouldn't drink it."
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Question 1
1 / 8
The best alternate headline for this article would be __________.
More Parents Mix Medicine With Chocolate Milk
Flavored Milk Bans in Schools Create Controversy
Dairy Industry Creates Group To Educate Public
Research Shows Childhood Obesity on the Rise
Physical Science Studies: Structure, Interactions, and Properties of Matter
Chocolate milk has long been viewed as the spoonful of sugar that makes the medicine go down. However, the nation's epidemic of childhood obesity has an increasing number of school leaders wondering whether the nutritional benefit of chocolate milk is really worth the extra calories that accompany it. This question has led many schools to prohibit flavored milk in cafeterias. Even the health-focused bans, however, have stirred controversy.
With childhood obesity rates on the rise, school districts face increasing pressure to provide healthy food options. Concerns about childhood obesity have brought chocolate milk in particular—a longtime staple on many lunch trays—under attack over the very ingredient that made it popular: sugar. Sugar adds extra calories and can lead to obesity. In response, schools across the country have modified their menus. They serve more fruits and vegetables and fewer sugar-laden items. Some schools have gone so far as prohibiting flavored milk altogether.
Some nutrition experts endorse the bans. They say that sugary-sweet flavored milk is unhealthy and simply needs to go. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, plain fat-free milk contains 12 grams of sugar in 8 ounces. In comparison, fat-free chocolate milk carries an extra 9 grams of sugar for a total of 21 grams. Fat-free strawberry milk is even worse. It packs a whopping 30 grams. That's more than the amount of sugar in eight ounces of Coca-Cola.
"Chocolate milk is soda in [disguise]," said Ann Cooper. Cooper is the former director of nutrition services for Colorado's Boulder Valley School District. The district has banned flavored milk. "It works as a treat in homes, but it doesn't belong in schools."
Other nutrition experts, however, oppose the bans on flavored milk. They argue that the nutritional value of chocolate and strawberry milk outweighs the drawback of added sugar. They point out that just like plain milk, flavored milk contains nine essential nutrients. These include calcium, vitamin D, and protein. In addition, they say, research shows that kids who drink fat-free flavored milk meet more of their nutrient requirements than those who don't drink any milk at all. And kids who choose flavored milk, they add, are no heavier on average than those who opt for the plain version.
"Chocolate milk has been unfairly pegged as one of the causes of obesity," said Julie Buric. Buric worked for the dairy industry's Milk Processors Education Program (MilkPEP).
MilkPEP pointed out that bans on flavored milk have turned sour in some districts. This has led officials to lift the bans. According to MilkPEP, about 70 percent of milk consumed in schools is flavored, primarily chocolate. When flavored milk is removed, the group says, milk consumption drops by 35 percent. If kids don't drink any kind of milk, they say, the students will miss out on the essential nutrients their bodies require.
Like nutritionists, parents line up on both sides of the issue.
Some parents reject the notion that kids will miss out on crucial nutrients if schools stop offering chocolate milk. They argue that kids will be inclined to drink the healthier plain milk if it's the only milk offered.
"If you offer them the choice of chocolate or plain, of course they're going to choose chocolate," said parent Mimi Bonetti. "When you're telling kids that drinking chocolate milk is a healthy choice, it's sending the wrong message."
Parent Deborah Bellholt says her children are reluctant to drink plain milk. She says the sugary flavoring in chocolate and strawberry milk is worth the extra calories—if it induces her kids to drink milk.
"By allowing kids flavored milk, they still get the calcium they need," Bellholt said. "If not, they'd bypass it."
Just ask Los Angeles student Nacole Johnson. If it weren't for the chocolaty version of milk, she said, "I wouldn't drink it."
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Question 1
1 / 8
The best alternate headline for this article would be __________.
More Parents Mix Medicine With Chocolate Milk
Flavored Milk Bans in Schools Create Controversy
Dairy Industry Creates Group To Educate Public
Research Shows Childhood Obesity on the Rise
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The best alternate headline for this article would be **Flavored Milk Bans in Schools Create Controversy**. This headline effectively captures the central theme of the article, which discusses the debate surrounding the banning of flavored milk in schools due to concerns about childhood obesity and the differing opinions of nutrition experts and parents on the issue.
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