Today’s youth are overweight and undernourished — missing out on important nutrients because they are not choosing nutrient-rich foods first. Children who drink milk at home and with school meals have a better nutrition profile than those who do not.
Breakfast — whether at home or at school — provides an excellent opportunity to ensure your kids get the nutrition they need at the start of each day. Health professionals agree: eating a healthy breakfast, including nutrient-rich foods, such as low-fat and fat-free milk, cheese or yogurt, provides the essential fuel school kids need for optimal learning. And, the benefits don’t stop there. Breakfast eaters also have:
- More energy
- Improved attendance
- Higher math and reading scores
- Increased creativity
- Increased memory
- Better mood
But, it doesn’t stop at breakfast. Get creative with other ways to serve up delicious dairy throughout the day:
- Encourage your child to try the school lunch program — milk is the beverage of choice.
- Include string cheese or yogurt in a tube in a sack lunch.
- No way to keep it cold? Skip the drink when packing a lunch, and allow your child to buy milk at school.
- Offer cheese and crackers, a bowl of cereal with milk or yogurt topped with dried fruit as an after-school snack.
- Suggest a chilled or warm glass of milk as a satisfying, healthy way to wind down before bedtime.
