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As Beverages Aimed At Kids Boom, New Guidelines Recommend Water And Plain Milk

From plant-based chocolate milk to fizzy reduced-sugar drinks courtesy of Michelle Obama, the beverage market is always introducing new offerings to appeal to kids. But new dietary recommendations from several major health organizations say that children should really stick with drinking water and plain pasteurized milk.

The recommendations for children ages 5-18, released Wednesday, come from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Heart Association. 

Their advice is in keeping with broader draft dietary guidelines created by an advisory committee to the U.S. Government at the end of last year, which also said water should be the main thing that people of all ages drink. But the report is notable in carving out specific stances on the wide range of beverage options marketed to families, including plant-based milk and drinks containing non-sugar sweeteners. 

"Overall product growth and marketing and confusion among parents and families is really what drove this effort," said Megan Lott, a registered dietician and deputy director of Healthy Eating Research, which organized the report and is a program of the philanthropic organization Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "No existing recommendations were comprehensive, [in] that they covered every kind of beverage category."

In addition to water, the report also recommends regular servings of skim or 1% milk as a way for children to meet their daily dairy needs, though it notes fortified soy milk, yogurt, or cheese can serve the same purpose. Flavored milk should be an infrequent choice because it often contains added sugar and non-sugar sweeteners. Juice that's 100% made from fruit and vegetables is acceptable in small amounts that vary depending on the child's age. 

Plant-based milk, apart from fortified soy milk, is not recommended as a substitute for cow's milk unless the child has a particular reason to drink it — for example, if they're vegan or have an allergy.  "What we found in our research is that there's a big misconception that they are either nutritionally equivalent to cow's milk, or some families even thought they were healthier," said Lott. But plant-based milks typically don't contain the same levels of nutrients like calcium and vitamin D, the report says, and children's bodies may not absorb added nutrients in plant-based milk the way they do with cow's milk.The report's take on plant-based milk is noteworthy because that market has exploded in popularity in recent years, reaching $3.3 billion in 2023 and expected to reach $8.9 billion by 2033. With this growth has come a growing number of niche products, including those aimed at children. Danone's Silk introduced a plant-based milk with oats and peas late last year aimed at kids age 5 and up, which it's promoted through partnerships with so-called momfluencers on TikTok and other social media platforms. Ripple Foods sells a pea protein milk for kids, including a chocolate milk option. Kiddiwinks and PlantBaby's Kiki Milk are also aimed at kids.  The report acknowledges that some of its recommendations are controversial — for example, there's debate about whether kids really need to avoid the saturated fat found in whole milk. Experts like pediatrician Aaron E. Carroll have also criticized some of the ideas reflected in the groups' 2019 guidelines for younger children, such as that cow's milk is really necessary for kids after age 2, or that plant-based milk is a nutritionally flawed alternative.  Less controversial are the drinks the guidelines say kids should avoid entirely: beverages with caffeine, including energy drinks; sugar-sweetened beverages, like sodas and sports drinks; and beverages with non-sugar sweeteners, like diet sodas.  Research suggests that fewer children today are heavy consumers of sugary drinks compared to the early aughts. But greater awareness of health concerns over drinks like Coke and fruit punch has also opened up opportunities for beverages marketed as healthy alternatives. Probiotic and prebiotic sodas like Olipop and Poppi tout their products as gut-friendly, reduced-sugar options, but some note they still contain caffeine, added sugar, or non-sugar sweeteners, the latter of which research has linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease in adults.  Meanwhile, Starbucks has emerged as the after-school destination of choice for teens and tweens, a cohort that's drawn to icy, sugary beverages like the strawberry açai Refresher — which, as Bloomberg reported last fall, contains both caffeine and "the same amount of sugar as a Butterfinger." And energy drinks like Prime, co-founded by Gen Z influencer Logan Paul, are regularly consumed by about one-third of kids between the ages of 12 and 17. There are steps the industry could take to help children and families better navigate the vast array of beverage options, Lott said, like adding more 8-ounce single-serving packaging. Right now, options tend to jump from 6-ounce juice boxes to 12-ounce containers.In the big picture, in a world where kids can easily consume multiple sugary and caffeine-loaded beverages in one day while shuttling between home, school, sports practice, and other after-school activities, Lott doesn't want families to be overwhelmed by the guidelines. "These recommendations are the gold standard," she said. But even swapping out one sugary drink a day for a glass of water will help children and teens — "both now, and in making healthier decisions in the future."  STAT's coverage of chronic health issues is supported by a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Our financial supporters are not involved in any decisions about our journalism.

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Simple Hack To Stop Milk Going Off For Weeks - All You Need Is Salt

Keep milk fresher for longer with this trick [stock image] (

Image: Getty)

One of the most frustrating minor inconveniences is reaching for the milk to make your morning cuppa at 7am, only to discover it's gone off.

However, there's a simple trick to prolong the life of your fresh milk - whether it's full cream, semi-skimmed or red-top skimmed - using a common and inexpensive kitchen ingredient. It may sound unappetising, but adding just a smidgen of salt to your fresh milk can help it stay fresh for longer without curdling.

Once opened, milk generally lasts four to seven days past its printed best-before date when kept in the fridge. Unopened whole milk can last five to seven days, while reduced-fat and skim milk can last over seven days. Non-fat and lactose-free milk tends to last even longer, remaining good for seven to ten days past the printed date when stored in the fridge.

Generally, milk needs a sniff test - if it smells fine, it's fine, so don't get too hung up on the date and avoid pouring perfectly good milk down the sink. It's worth remembering that milk has a best before, not a use by, so you can still drink it after the date on the bottle if it smells okay.

But there are several strategies you can employ to extend the shelf life of your milk. First, always choose milk with the longest shelf life, reports the Express. When shopping, check the dates on the bottles and select the one with the furthest best-before date. Experts from Wheeldon Brothers recommend adding milk to your trolley last.

They advised: "This gives it the best chance of remaining at a stable temperature. Once home, it's crucial to put the milk in the fridge immediately.

"While many people store milk in the fridge door, it's better to place it on a shelf where temperatures are cooler and more consistent. Dairy products should ideally be stored at the back of the fridge, as the front and door are exposed to warmer air each time the door is opened.

"Adding a pinch of salt to the bottle and shaking it to distribute the salt evenly can help. Salt minerals slow the souring of milk by drawing out water molecules, which lowers water activity and, in turn, inhibits bacterial growth."

They also mentioned that if you're worried about not using the milk before it goes off, freezing it is an option. Milk can be kept frozen for up to three months; although the texture and flavour might slightly change, it will still be safe to consume and can be used for cooking or baking.

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