Schools can play an important role in helping students access nutritious foods throughout the school day. Evidence from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey suggests that many Canadian children may not consume enough of certain nutrients [1]. Research has also found that children who drink milk at school are more likely to meet their nutrient needs.
Milk and dairy products can be one of many nutrient-rich food choices available to students. Explore the evidence on dairy products and learn more about their nutritional contribution for children and youth.
Milk and dairy products are a source of high-quality protein and provide six of the eight nutrients commonly under-consumed in Canadian diets. For children, some of the most notable include calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and potassium [1]. These nutrients have also been identified by the Canadian Paediatric Society as being at risk for inadequate intake among children [2].
For children and youth, particularly during periods of rapid growth and bone development, nutrients such as protein, calcium, vitamin D, and potassium support growth and development [3, 4, 5]. Milk and dairy products can be one way to help meet these nutrient needs and can fit into a variety of meals, snacks, and food traditions.
Research has also associated dairy consumption with positive health outcomes and a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and colorectal cancer [6].
A common misconception is that milk and dairy products are no longer part of Canada’s Food Guide. In fact, foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese continue to be included in the protein foods category, and milk is recognized as a healthy drink choice [8,9].
While the Food Guide Snapshot is often used as a quick reference, it represents only one part of Canada’s Food Guide. The complete guidance includes information on choosing nutrient-rich foods and building healthy eating habits.
Milk and dairy products provide nutrients such as protein, calcium, and vitamin D that support growth and development. Health Canada also recommends that children regularly consume foods that provide vitamin D [7].
Whether enjoyed on their own or as part of meals and snacks, milk, yogurt, and cheese can contribute to meeting nutrient needs as part of a balanced eating pattern [8,9].
While BC Dairy does not operate a school milk program, our team of registered dietitians would be happy to help. We can provide information about milk and dairy products, answer nutrition-related questions, and, where possible, help you explore options for your school.
In general, the guidelines suggest choosing foods that are high in essential nutrients like protein, vitamin D, and calcium while trying to moderate levels of sodium, sugar and fat. There are times where a well-received food like chocolate milk provides a high amount of essential nutrients while also having natural and added sugar.
Most Canadians, children and adolescents included, continue to fall short in eating the recommended amounts of key nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D, and potassium [11]. Milk has a unique nutrient profile which can be difficult to replace in a healthy eating pattern, so providing different options that promote milk consumption can help close students’ nutrient gap [12, 13].
A study conducted in Saskatoon schools looked at the impact of removing chocolate milk from school milk programs. They found that total milk intake decreased when chocolate milk was removed from menus indicating that when chocolate milk is not an option, children do not choose to replace it with plain milk or other nutrient dense alternatives [14].
Drinking flavored milk is one option to help children meet key nutrients necessary for growth and development, especially calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and protein. Importantly, research has shown that kids who drink flavored milk consume more of these nutrients of concern compared to non-flavored milk drinkers [15].
Health Canada and the School Nutrition Guidelines suggest using fortified soy beverage instead of milk when there is an allergy or a dietary restriction. Other fortified plant-based beverages such as oat, almond, rice, and hemp beverages are low in protein and for this reason are not good substitutes for milk [10]. For students that are lactose intolerant a lactose-free milk can be considered.
The BC School Food Toolkit provides guidelines for planning your menu for your district. These guidelines were developed to help school meal coordinators support healthy eating at school and are based on Canada’s Food Guide.
It is also important to note that though these guidelines are recommended, they are voluntary. There are times when the guidelines won’t work for your school for a variety of reasons such as budget, student preference, dietary restrictions, or infrastructure limitations such as refrigeration. Making choices that fit for your district and students is important. The goal of school food programs is nourishment, not perfection.
If you have more questions about your school feeding program menu’s you can reach out to one of our registered dietitians, here.
