Don’t be surprised if your student spots a cow at school this week! Wednesday, September 28th, is World School Milk Day–a time to celebrate the delicious dairy drink and all the essential nutrients it provides.
Many schools host fun events like milking or coloring contests. Cafeteria staff may even dress up as cows! These creative, cow-centric activities are a great way to encourage students to drink milk. And that’s important because milk has a lot to offer! Just 1 8-oz serving of milk provides essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, and protein that help give students energy and support a healthy immune system so they can bring their best to school this year.
But you don’t have to wait until Wednesday to start celebrating–National Chocolate Milk Day is tomorrow and this kid-friendly, flavored milk definitely deserves its own party! Offering the same essential nutrients as white milk, chocolate milk is a great option for kids who may not drink white milk.
Chocolate milk is also an ideal recovery beverage for student-athletes. Drinking an ice-cold glass of low-fat chocolate milk after a workout or game helps restore muscles and replenish electrolytes lost in sweat. And at about 25 cents per glass, chocolate milk is an affordable source of complete protein compared to many sports drinks on the market.
There’s so much to celebrate about milk. Be on the lookout for events happening at your student’s school this week or try these activities at home with your family!
Building Bones Lesson/Activity
Donna Speed, MS, RDN