When I was a kid, there was no question that a big glass of milk was a healthy choice. Today, however, there's a pretty decent debate about milk. (Just do a search for anti dairy... you'll see what I mean.) There are environmental and ethical implications in dairy farming and many just feel that milk from a cow isn't healthy for humans.

Personally, both my son and I drink milk. Not the three glasses a day some organizations would have you drink, but we each probably have one small glass a day. However, I'm a believer that you don't have to have dairy to get your necessary nutrients. When it comes to milk, though, my son and I drink low-fat, white milk. I'm just not a fan of the added sugar in chocolate milk. Some varieties of chocolate milk can add up to 18 grams of sugar. (Though I do let my son have chocolate milk as a special treat now and then.)


If your child won't touch milk without the added flavor, a new report published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association shows that -- even with the added sugar -- flavored milk is still doing your child's body good. Compared to non-milk drinkers, children who drank flavored milk had a lower BMI. And they had significantly higher intake of other essential nutrients that milk provides.

If you're a parent, you have to weigh the pros and cons of milk. If your child enjoys plain milk, you don't have to worry about the chocolate vs. plain debate. If not, then you make the call if you'd rather have your child drink chocolate milk over nothing at all. If you opt to avoid milk altogether, just be sure to get your calcium and other nutrients from other natural, healthful sources.