Nutrition News

• Incidence of Lactose Intolerance Significantly Lower than Previously Believed
• Bone Up On Dairy to Reduce Risk of Osteoporosis
• New American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Statement
• New Science Review Gives More Reasons to Love Dairy Foods
• Experts Call to Action on Nutrient-Rich Foods
• Lactose Intolerance Doesn’t Mean Dairy Avoidance
• Maximizing the Messages: Helping Moms and Kids Make Healthier Food Choices
• Get Rich Quick with Nutrient Rich Foods
• New Study Shows Children Benefit from Drinking Flavored Milk
• Pediatricians Address Role of Dairy Foods in Children’s Diets
• Clearing up Confusion about Conventional, rbST-Free and Organic Milk
• Calcium-Rich Dairy Foods May Help Reduce Stroke Risk
• Research Shows Young, Active Men Can Recharge With Fat-Free Milk
• Flavored Milk Consumption Linked to Improved Body Composition in Kids, Taller Boys
• Want a Great Smile? Brush, Floss…Eat Yogurt
• DASH to Dairy to Lower Blood Pressure
• New Online Menu Planner Helps Consumers Build Better Diets
• Calcium + Protein = Strong Bones
• Will Drinking Milk Help Girls Breathe Easier?
• Calcium and Beyond: Dairy Foods, Fruits and Vegetables May Help with Bone Fractures and Hypertension
• American Academy of Pediatrics Revised Statement on Pediatric Allergies is Good News for Moms Who Love Milk
• MyPyramid Plan for Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Calcium from Food May Benefit Bones More Than Supplements
• Adolescents with Dairy-Free Diets Fall Short On Calcium
• American Heart Association Calls for Women to Establish Healthy Lifestyle and Eating Habits
• American Academy of Pediatrics Recommends Dairy for Children with Lactose Intolerance
• Weighty Consequences for Kids Who Skimp on Dairy
• Dairy Intake May Benefit Adolescent Hearts
• Low Energy Density = High Diet Quality
• Think Outside the ‘Bones’: Dairy Intake and African American Health
• American Heart Association Recommendations Call for Americans to Establish Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Habits

Pediatricians Address Role of Dairy Foods in Children’s Diets

An article that appeared in the June 1, 2007, issue of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ AAP News clears up common misconceptions about lactose intolerance, organic milk and flavored milk among health care professionals and patients.  The authors make the following points:

• Milk, cheese and yogurt are naturally nutrient-rich foods providing a significant amount of the dietary requirements for calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, vitamins A, B and D as well as protein, which are essential for growth and development.
• The AAP clinical report recommends that even children with diagnosed lactose intolerance consume dairy foods to obtain enough nutrients essential for bone health.  True lactose intolerance is rare, and even if present, small amounts of dairy such as lowfat milk, aged cheeses or yogurts can be consumed without developing symptoms.
• Soy beverages are a good source of plant protein but do not deliver the same bioavailability or nutrient package of calcium, other minerals and vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin and niacin found in milk.
• Perceived lactose intolerance sometimes can lead parents to avoid offering milk and other dairy products to infants and children.  Such food myths can lead to needless dietary omissions as well as nutritional deficiencies.
• Currently, there is no evidence that organic food, including milk, is healthier than regular milk.
• Flavored milks provide the same nutrient package as regular milk, though unflavored milk is lower in sugar.  However, given the importance of calcium, vitamin D and other key ingredients in the diet of children and adolescents, flavored milks could be a nice alternative since the contribution of added sugars to the overall diet of young children is minimal.
• The role of dairy also is highlighted in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  Dairy is recognized as playing an important role in improving bone health, and some studies have demonstrated that people who consume more dairy products have better overall diets.