It’s Time To Think About Their Lunch Drinks (NAPSA)—When kids head to the classroom, it’s time to think about school lunches. Whether | your children pack or buy school lunch, do not overlook the bever- age portion of their meals. Chocolate and other flavored per gram, compared to nine calo- school administrators and teach- child is encouraged to be more physically active, the energy in ers may object to this choice high-fructose corn syrup. Yet, nutritionists say flavored milk can be a secret weapon to help kids drink more milk and get the calcium and protein their growing bodies need. “Kids love the taste of flavored milk, and parents should feel good about offering a nutrient-packed beverage,” said registered dietitian Kris Clark, Ph.D., RD, an assistant professor of nutrition at Penn State University. “Most flavored milks contain only about 60 calo- ries more per serving compared to unflavored milk, and the high-fructose corn syrup should not be a concern. And the additional calo- ries are OK when you considerall the extra nutrients milk provides.” In fact, Clark said there is a lot of misinformation about high-fructose corn syrup that has needlessly alarmed parents. Myth: High-fructose corn syrup is a type of “supercharged” sugar. Fact: This corn sweeteneris nutritionally the same as table ing too many calories and not burning off those calories by being active.” Clark said the calorie density of high-fructose corn syrupis relatively low—only four calories ries per gram for fats. It’s also important to consider that if a milks are an increasingly popular option for kids, but some parents, because of the added sugars. They seem to be particularly concerned about the varieties that contain balance,” she said. “Kids are eat- Nutritionists say that flavored the flavored milk is used in the growing bodies need. sugar or sucrose, which comes syrup is a thick and gooey synthetic ingredient. Fact: This corn sweeteneris fructose corn syrup is not sweeter fructose corn syrup is made from milk can be a secret weapon to help kids drink more milk and get the calcium and protein their from sugarcane or beets. High- than sugar, it’s not higher in calories and it’s not metabolized differ- ently. “What many people do not realize is that high-fructose corn syrup is composed of the same simple sugars—glucose and fruc- same way other carbohydrates are used—tofuel the activity. Myth: High-fructose corn actually thin and clear. High- cornstarch and contains no artificial ingredients or synthetic substances. Clark said that research contin- Clark. “There is no difference in how the body handles these sweet- ues to confirm that high-fructose corn syrup is safe and no different from other common sweeteners such as sugar and honey. “It’s a reality that kids are going to have some sugar in their Myth: There is something fructose corn syrup,” said Clark. tose—in the same amounts found in table sugar and honey,” said eners; they’re indistinguishable once they hit the bloodstream.” unique about high-fructose corn syrup that is to blamefor obesity. Fact: Our country’s weight problem is due to excessive calorie intake and inactivity, not a single ingredient in our food supply, according to Clark. “There’s no one reason why we've seen the escalating rates of childhood obesity—it all comes downto calorie diets, whether that’s table sugar, honey, pancake syrup or high- “Just be sure the majority of the added sugars they consume are from a nutrient-rich food or bever- age, and practice moderation with concentrated sweets like candy and desserts.” To increase your sugar I.Q. and to learn more about high-fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners, check out sweetsurprise.com.
