The USDA is considering a chocolate milk ban when it adopts new standard for school meals. Opinion is mixed on this long-time cafeteria favorite.
Chocolate Milk May Be Banned in Schools. Here’s Why.
Like many of you, I spent my school years drinking chocolate milk. Just thinking about chocolate milk brings back the warm nostalgia of the school cafeteria. Every day, the lunch lady gave us a choice: red and white cartons of plain or brown cartons of chocolate. Pretty much every day from kindergarten through 12th grade, I chose the brown cartons. Most of my classmates made the same—except for a few kids who clearly had stricter parents than mine. Now, I see that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering a chocolate milk ban as part of its new school lunch guidelines.
My first thought was: Can they be serious? We used to live in a society! My second thought, remembering how much sugar I consumed as a kid, was: Maybe they have a point.
Why Is the USDA Considering a Chocolate Milk Ban?
The USDA is in the midst of adopting new standards for school meals, and proposed new guidelines earlier this year. The concern is over the amount of added sugars in flavored milks like chocolate or strawberry. USDA’s School Nutrition and Meal Cost Study data found that flavored milk is the leading source of added sugars in both the school lunch and breakfast programs, contributing almost half of the added sugars in lunches and about 30% of the added sugars in breakfasts.
According to research, More than 62% of children consumed breakfasts that exceeded the recommended dietary limit of sugar. Almost half (47%) consumed lunches that exceeded the limit, according to a study in the nutrition journal Nutrients.
So far, the USDA has made no decision on flavored milk, and is currently seeking public comment. But the agency is considering three options:
- The first option would ban chocolate milk in elementary and middle schools, and only allow it in high schools.
- The second would be to limit the amount of sugar that can be added to flavored milk.
- The last option would be to do nothing and continue to allow flavored milks.
There has been no discussion of perhaps offering alternative non-dairy milks in schools.
How Do People Feel About Banning Chocolate Milk?
Opinions are divided on the issue. People in favor of banning flavored milk in school say the added sugars contribute to childhood obesity and condition kids to desire for overly sweet drinks. Others (including the dairy industry and many school administrators) say that banning flavored milk will only result in kids drinking less milk. The Wall Street Journal quoted Katie Wilson, executive director of the Urban School Food Alliance, which represents 18 of the largest school districts in the country: “We want to take a product that most kids like and that has nine essential nutrients in it and say, ‘You can’t drink this, you have to drink plain’? What are we trying to prove?”
Erica Lauren Kenney, a public health and nutrition professor at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, told the Journal: “From a public health perspective, it makes a lot of sense to try to limit the servings of these flavored milks because they do have quite a lot of added sugar.”
This might be an issue of nostalgia versus public health research. How do you feel about flavored milk in schools?
These Copycat Cafeteria Recipes Will Take You Back
Walking TacosWhen sitting down to tacos isn't an option, walking tacos are the answer. These self-contained mini-meals are just the thing for eating on the go or around a campfire.
Bacon-Turkey SubsOn balmy fall days, this sweet and smoky sandwich is a big treat. When it gets colder, we pull out our countertop grill to make melts. Just switch to pita bread. —Rachel Bindulski, Corolla, NC
Frosted BrowniesThese Frosted Brownies have an amazing chocolate frosting that you'll adore. Sit back and savor every bit of the chewy brownie base and rich, fudgy frosting.
Sloppy Joe DogsThere are so many different ways to top a hot dog, but this tasty sloppy joe version beats them all! —Kimberly Wallace, Dennison, Ohio
Cheesy QuesadillasWe serve these quesadillas as chili dippers or load them up with salsa and sour cream for a super starter. —Terri Keeney, Greeley, Colorado
Chilled Fruit CupsThis refreshing frozen salad is easy to assemble ahead and serve to a group at breakfast - or any time of day. It's a convenient and colorful addition to a holiday buffet. —Andrea Hawthorne, Mozeman, Montana
French Toast SticksFrench toast sticks are the perfect kid-friendly, make-ahead breakfast. Simply prep the sticks and freeze them, then pop them in the oven when you’re ready to enjoy.
Philly CheesesteakIf you can’t make it to Philadelphia any time soon, this Philly cheesesteak recipe will satisfy your craving for the city's signature sandwich. Our version comes from the family of the man who invented cheesesteaks, so it's safe to say you’re in pretty good hands.
Chocolate PuddingBring your favorite childhood lunchbox treat to life with this rich and decadent homemade chocolate pudding recipe.
Sloppy Joe RecipeWho doesn't love a classic sloppy joe recipe? Customize your homemade sloppy joes by mixing in veggies or melting cheese on top.
Homemade Corn DogsLove fair food like funnel cake and corn dogs? Here is how to make perfectly golden, hand-dipped corn dogs at home.
Cheese FriesQuick, easy and a surefire hit at your next gameday potluck or family gathering, you need just 20 minutes and six ingredients to whip up a large batch of these cheese fries.
Meat Loaf MuffinsThese freezer-friendly meat loaf muffins are a simple-to-make family favorite recipe. Make them for dinner tonight or to freeze later for quick weeknight meals.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip BarsPart protein bar and part cookie, these oatmeal chocolate chip bars are the perfect sweet treat for an after-school snack or a quick and easy on-the-go breakfast. Enjoy the delicious, satisfying combination of flavors and textures in every bite!
Spaghetti Meatball SupperIt was such a joy to come home and find my mom making spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. This recipe has always been dear to my heart. —Debbie Heggie, Laramie, Wyoming
White Texas Sheet CakeThis classic white Texas sheet cake is delicious, and surprisingly quick and easy to make. You won't even need to wait for the cake to cool completely before icing it!
Bacon & Swiss Chicken SandwichesI created this chicken sandwich recipe based on a meal my daughter ordered at a restaurant. She likes to dip her sandwich in the extra honey-mustard sauce. —Marilyn Moberg, Papillion, Nebraska
Lunch Box PizzasWhen you have these fun-to-make mini pizzas, it's no challenge finding lunch fare that the kids enjoy. Plus they pack nicely in sandwich bags and travel well, so there's no mess. —Rhonda Cliett, Belton, Texas
Homemade Fish SticksThis fun homemade fish stick recipe is super easy and healthy, too! Kids and adults will love them.
Tapioca PuddingThis homemade tapioca pudding is made in a slow cooker, so there's no need to stand and watch the pot as with a traditional recipe.
Baked Beef TacosUpgrade your usual Tuesday night taco with this clever (and tasty!) oven baked tacos recipe.
Kid-Friendly ChiliThis mild kid-friendly chili is a comforting and satisfying dish that even picky eaters will love, and you can make it in just 30 minutes thanks to a few shortcut ingredients from the pantry.
Crescent Roll Hot DogsOur crescent roll hot dogs recipe is just the kind of thing kids like to eat, and they can make them, too! With full-sized hot dogs, cheddar cheese and bits of bacon inside of crescent-roll blankets, they're super easy and pleasing.
Frito PieCrunchy, salty Fritos corn chips are the star ingredient of Frito pie. Make this cheesy Tex-Mex favorite for dinner or game day.
Company Fruit SaladWe first tried a cream cheese fruit salad like this at a local deli. Since I couldn't get that recipe, I started mixing up different dressings until I hit on this one. Now I make this refreshing delightful salad for every picnic and get-to-gether. It can be a snack, side dish or dessert. —Connie Osterhout, Napoleon, Ohio
Creamed Corn with Cream CheeseCreamed corn with cream cheese is a side dish recipe that goes with any meal and almost any occasion. Our five-ingredient recipe is made in the slow cooker for a mostly hands-off cooking experience.
Skillet NachosTaco-seasoned ground beef with tomatoes and rice makes a fast and easy nacho topping. Melt the cheese in the skillet in the residual heat of the beef, and then pour it onto individual plates of chips. People can customize their own toppings to their liking!
No-Bake Cereal BarsWith two kinds of cereal and peanut butter, these bars taste almost like candy. —Pauline Christiansen, Columbus, Kansas
Classic Carrot CakeI entered this yummy, moist cake in a Colorado Outfitters Association dessert contest. My carrot cake with pineapple earned first place! —Cheri Eby, Gunnison, Colorado
Chicken & Bean ChiliChili Time is any time you want to make a hungry crowd happy. This creamy chili is a must at my soup party every year. —Theresa Baehr, Williamsburg, Michigan
Easy Cake Mix BarsI take this dessert to work for Friday pick-me-ups. It's one of my favorite yellow cake bar recipes. I love to share them because they're so easy to eat, easy to make and easy on the wallet. —Amy Rose, Ballwin, Missouri
Pizza Egg RollsLove pizza rolls but wish they were a little bigger? This recipe for pizza egg rolls is for you. Make a big batch of these to store in the freezer for later.
Sweet Macaroni SaladA sweet out-of-the-ordinary dressing makes this macaroni salad special. My aunt gave me the recipe and it has become one of my favorites. I occasionally leave out the green pepper if I know that people don't like it, and it still tastes great. —Idalee Scholz, Cocoa Beach, Florida
Cheddar Corn Dog MuffinsI wanted to riff on hot dogs, so I made corn dog muffins. I added jalapenos to this kid-friendly recipe and won my husband over, too. —Becky Tarala, Palm Coast, Florida
Brenda's Baked BeansWhen I was a kid, my mom made baked beans all the time. Sometimes we'd turn this side into a main dish by adding sliced hot dogs. —Brenda Brooks, Bowie, Maryland
Fudgy Brownie RecipeFinding the perfect brownie recipe is a challenge, but if you are looking to learn how to make fudgy brownies—the gooey, decadent, cannot-stop-eating-them kind—you can stop looking. We have got the recipe and techniques for you.
