Children who consume flavored milk drink more milk and have higher calcium intake than those who don't, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
The survey found children who drink flavored milk consume fewer soft drinks and fewer fruit drinks containing less than 10 percent fruit juice. And it concluded the milk adds to their nutrient intake without giving them more fat and added sugars.
"Increasing calcium in kids is crucial, especially with seven out of 10 adolescent boys and nine out of 10 adolescent girls currently not consuming the recommended servings of calcium," said Karen Konar, Dairy Council of Utah/Nevada general manager.
Beverage choices can be important in the overall quality of a child's diet. A 1998 study found that children who included milk in their lunch were the only ones to achieve the recommended calcium intake for the day.