Dr. Lynn Cates
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and childhood immunizations.
|
|
 Ask Dr. Cates
Chocolate Milk & Weakened Bones | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Cates,
Is it true that chocolate milk can weaken bones? My son came home from school, his teacher told him that. I give chocolate milk (whole with calcium added) mixed with some whole white milk to my one-year-old. Is it ok, or are her bones getting weakened?— Tmwarfield in Plainfield, IL,USA | | | ANSWER |
February 7, 2002 | | | Dear Tmwarfield,
As you are well aware, lots of children prefer sweetened beverages to plain old milk or water, and chocolate milk is an all-time favorite! Since chocolate milk has calcium and vitamin D, it will have the same effect on bones as "regular" milk--there is no reason it would weaken them. It may be that your son misunderstood his teacher, or that she is concerned about children having too much chocolate milk for other reasons such as their developing a preference for it over lower calorie drinks.
You may already find that your daughter refuses to drink unsweetened drinks like plain milk or water because she is used to the sweet taste of chocolate (and being a chocolate milk lover--I certainly wouldn't blame her!), and this could cause her problems with her weight in the future. Children nowadays are tending to gain more weight than they should beginning in infancy, and the chocolate provides your daughter with empty calories. She would be much better off getting the same calories from more nutritious foods like vegetables and fruits.
That said, as long as your children don't have weight problems, brush their teeth regularly after having sweets like chocolate milk, and eat balanced diets, occasional treats of chocolate milk shouldn't do any harm.
— by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
|
