New Study Suggests This Breakfast Staple Could Help Kids

7/13/2018

New Study Suggests This Breakfast Staple Could Help Kids

Eating a nutritious breakfast helps kids start their day off right, and new research reminds us why serving real dairy milk is so important for the first meal of the day, such as this recipe for Bunny Oatmeal.

New Study Suggests This Breakfast Staple Could Help Kids

(Family Features) Eating a nutritious breakfast helps kids start their day off right, and new research reminds us why serving real dairy milk is so important for the first meal of the day. As little as 7 grams of milk protein at breakfast could help set kids up with building blocks they need to grow after a good night’s sleep, according to a new study in the Journal of Nutrition.

It’s no secret that kids need nutritious foods to fuel their constantly growing bodies, but there’s a period of time when they’re not getting these nutrients – during sleep. Of course kids need sleep – and plenty of it - but as they slumber, they’re using up their body’s energy stores, and if they don’t refuel in the morning it could potentially impact their ability to grow. That’s why a proper breakfast is so important, to ensure kids make up for this overnight fast.

In this new study, University of Toronto researchers gave 28 boys and girls ages 7-11 a breakfast of 170 calories that included 0, 7, 14 or 21 grams of milk protein. While more protein at breakfast was more beneficial, researchers found as little as 7 grams was enough to promote positive effects over the next nine hours.

Serving an 8-ounce glass of milk, which has 8 grams of high-quality protein, each day at breakfast is an easy way to get kids protein they need to support optimal growth and development. In fact, a previous study in the American Journal of Human Biology suggests regularly drinking milk during the growing years (all the way through late teens/early twenties) is associated with greater height in the teen years, while research in Osteoporosis International has linked regularly skipping milk to reduced height.¹ ²

Milk is also an easy way to get kids B vitamins to convert food to energy, vitamin A to support a healthy immune system, and phosphorus, calcium and vitamin D to help build strong bones. That’s why experts recommend including milk in kids’ diets. And, with a taste they love, it’s a simple, wholesome and affordable addition to any morning meal.

To kick start your child’s morning, serve a protein-packed breakfast, like this adorable bunny oatmeal, to give them nutrients they need to grow up strong. Not only will it bring a smile to your child’s face, it also gives them 18 grams of high-quality protein when served with a glass of lowfat milk.

For more information and kid-friendly recipe ideas, visit milklife.com.

Bunny Oatmeal

(1 serving)
Recipe courtesy of MilkPEP

1/3 cup instant oats
3/4 cup fat free milk
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2/3 of a small banana
2 fresh blueberries
1/2 of a small strawberry
Optional— chocolate syrup
Pair each serving with: 8-ounce glass of milk

In a microwave safe bowl stir together oats, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar. Microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute and stir.
Cut banana in half crosswise. Cut 1 1/8-inch thick coin slices from the flat end of each banana half. Place those banana slices in the upper third of your oatmeal bowl, side by side, to make the eyes. Top with one blueberry on each banana slice.
Place the remaining banana halves at the top of the bowl, hanging out, to create the ears.
Place strawberry in the middle of the bowl to make the nose, and then drizzle chocolate if desired to make a mouth and whiskers.
Serve with an 8-ounce glass of milk.

Nutritional information per serving: 320 calories; 2 g fat; 0 g saturated fat; 10 mg cholesterol; 18 g protein; 59 g carbohydrates; 5 g fiber; 190 mg sodium; 550 mg calcium (60% of daily value). Nutrition figures based on using fat free milk, and include an 8-ounce glass of milk.

¹ Wiley AS. Does milk make children grow? Relationships between milk consumption and height in NHANES 1999-2002. American Journal of Human Biology. 2005;17(4):425-441.

² Rockell JEP, Williams SM, Taylor RW, Grant AM, Jones IE, Goulding A. Two-year changes in bone and body composition in young children with a history of prolonged milk avoidance. Osteoporosis International. 2005;16(9):1016-1023.

SOURCE:
MilkPEP

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Why Kids Need Protein and How Milk Can Help

6/16/2016

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It’s important for kids to get protein at every meal, especially breakfast. Try pairing this kid-friendly recipe for breakfast sushi with a glass of milk for a fun way to start their day.

Why Kids Need Protein and How Milk Can Help

(Family Features) Making sure kids eat nutritious meals is often a parent’s top priority. Moms know good nutrition is essential for their child’s health, since developing and maintaining healthy habits as a kid can lead to lifelong benefits.

That’s why it’s important to make sure kids get enough protein. Not only that, but it’s also important kids choose good-for-you protein foods, like milk. In addition to being a good source of high-quality protein, milk offers eight other essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D and potassium, which are three of the four nutrients most Americans – including children – are most likely missing in their diets.

It’s important for kids to get protein at every meal, especially breakfast. Getting enough protein in the morning can help kids feel fuller, longer, so they can start the day off right. Beyond helping the body build and repair lean muscle, protein also impacts many different functions in growing bodies. For example, protein works together with key bone-building nutrients like calcium and vitamin D to help build healthy bones.

Each 8-ounce serving of milk provides 8 grams of high-quality, natural protein. Milk is a complete protein, which means that every glass contains a full mix of the essential amino acids our bodies need.

Without milk in their diets, it’s hard for kids to get nutrients they need to grow up strong. For kids 9 and older, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend three servings of lowfat or fat free milk and milk products each day and two and a half servings daily for children ages 4 to 8.

You can feel good serving milk to your family since it’s one of the original farm-to-table foods and a wholesome, naturally nutrient-rich choice. Almost all U.S. households have dairy milk in their refrigerators and kids are some of the biggest fans. According to a survey, nine out of 10 kids age 8-12 said they love to drink milk for reasons such as because it’s good for them, it will help them grow and they love the taste.¹ With nine essential nutrients in each 8-ounce glass, milk is a delicious and simple way to give kids a natural source of high-quality protein plus other nutrients they need.

Try pairing this kid-friendly recipe for breakfast sushi with a glass of milk for a fun way to start their day with milk and protein. For more kid-friendly, nutritious recipe ideas, visit milklife.com.

Breakfast Sushi
Servings: 1

2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1 banana
1/4 cup crisp rice cereal

Spread peanut butter over the outside of the banana and then roll in cereal until coated. Cut into thick slices and serve with a glass of milk.

Nutritional information per serving: 390 calories; 15 g fat; 3 g saturated fat; 5 mg cholesterol; 16 g protein; 51 g carbohydrates; 5 g fiber; 290 mg sodium; 305 mg calcium (30% of daily value). Nutrition figures based on including an 8-ounce glass of fat free milk.

¹The National got milk? Milk Mustache campaign June Dairy Month survey was conducted between April 26 and May 6, 2013, among 519 parents of 8-12 year olds and 519 8-12 year olds.

SOURCE:
MilkPEP

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