The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently released new recommendations and revisions on nutrition standards for federal school breakfast and lunch programs.

The new guidelines place restrictions on the minimum and maximum levels of calories school meals can contain and focus on reducing saturated fat and sodium content. 

Several recommendations, if enacted, may impact dairy's role in schools.

• White Milk Recommendation: Only low-fat and fat-free milk should be available in schools.
• Flavored Milk Recommendation: All flavored milk must be fat-free. (Currently, only 30 percent of flavored milk in schools nationwide is fat-free.)
• Cheese and Yogurt Recommendation: Cheese and yogurt used as meal substitutes should only be offered in low-fat varieties.

National news networks have reported IOM's recommendations. IOM’s research committee was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Its goal is to design "well-conceived, practical and economical recommendations" to provide healthy meals to students.

In response to these recommendations, the National Dairy Council (NDC), International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) have reviewed IOM's proposal and are sending their own science based recommendations to the USDA.

For more information or literature about flavored milk, please contact Molly Szymanski at mszymanski@sedairy.org or 800-343-4693.

New Research Sheds Light on Lactose Intolerance

A recent research study published in Nutrition Today has found the prevalence of lactose intolerance in European Americans, Hispanic Americans and African Americans to be far lower than previously projected.

In past research studies, estimates were that 48 percent of European Americans, Hispanic Americans and African Americans experienced maldigestion or discomfort in the digestive system due to the body's inability to properly digest foods containing lactose.

Based on new self-reported data, studies show that lactose intolerance occurs less frequently then previously concluded, with only 12 percent of these ethnic populations reporting lactose intolerance symptoms.

According to the Journal of the National Medical Association, individuals that experience symptoms of lactose intolerance do not have to avoid milk and dairy foods. Gradually increasing lactose in the diet, such as drinking milk in small portions with food or eating yogurt, are effective ways to manage lactose intolerance while meeting optimal dairy needs.

For more information about lactose intolerance, please visit www.nationaldairycouncil.org.

Best Bones Forever! Campaign Educates Youth about Building Strong Bones

Did you know that nine out of 10 girls don't get the calcium they need in their diets?

To help educate young girls about the importance of consuming calcium-rich foods, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health recently launched a nationwide campaign, Best Bones Forever!

The Best Bones Forever! campaign encourages and motivates girls ages nine to 14 to be active and choose bone-healthy foods such as milk.

The campaign's Web site offers girls fun quizzes, recipes and free promotional items to help get them started on the path for stronger bones. Some of these helpful materials include:

• Best for Bones Foods
• Recipes
• Bone-healthy grocery list
• Best for Bones Activities

For more information on how you can educate your students about the importance of building strong bones, please visit www.bestbonesforever.gov.

MilkPEP Processor Education Programs Help Schools Teach Students about the Importance of Milk

MilkPEP's 2009-2010 teen and school program campaigns provide schools with an opportunity to increase milk sales, win prizes and help encourage students to drink milk for strong bones and teeth. Below is information to help you take advantage of these great initiatives.

This year's programs and campaigns include:

• Body By Milk: This campaign educates teens about the nutritional benefits of milk. Research shows that teens who are aware of milk’s healthy weight message are more likely to drink milk.
• Drink Milk for a Change: This program is designed to inspire teens to make a difference in themselves and the world by drinking milk. Activities within the program include student milk mustache ad contests. For every ad created at www.bodybymilk.com, $1 will go to a teen-relevant cause. The Web site also offers students fun tips, tools, games and celebrity insights to motivate them to drink more milk.
• Spotlight On: By visiting www.milkdelivers.org, school professionals and physical education experts can read, comment and share ideas for improving school milk programs. Participating schools will have an opportunity to win monthly prizes.  

For more information about MilkPEP programs you can develop in your school, please visit www.milkpep.org.

Schools Across the Southeast Celebrated World School Milk Day

On Sept. 30, the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association (SUDIA) teamed with Southeast schools to celebrate the ninth annual World School Milk Day (WSMD). 

WSMD, celebrated by more than 40 countries, provides schools with an opportunity to recognize local dairy farmers while educating children about the value of dairy foods.

To increase involvement in this global celebration, SUDIA coordinated events and activities with schools across the Southeast.

"Participation in WSMD provided schools with a great opportunity to engage local dairy farmers and teach children about the importance of drinking milk for strong bones and teeth," said Molly Szymanski, SUDIA's assistant manager of child nutrition.

To show appreciation to Southeast dairy farmers, local producers were invited to speak to students about dairy farming. Staff nutrition experts also were available to address the importance of dairy as part of a healthy diet. Students who drank milk at lunch received promotional items including pencils, stickers and T-shirts.

For more information about WSMD and ways your school can participate in next year’s celebration, please contact Molly Szymanski at mszymanski@sedairy.org or 800-343-4693.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Inspires Students to Live Active and Healthy Lifestyles, Free Program Kits Available

Help your students learn the importance of living active and healthy lifestyles by ordering a FREE Fuel Up to Play 60 Wellness Activation Kit.

Each kit provides you with the tools and messages to encourage students to "fuel-up" with essential food groups such as low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Every activation kit includes:

• Activity ideas to support healthy eating and physical activity.
• Colorful display materials customized with NFL Team insignia for hallways, classrooms and your cafeteria.
• Ideas and tips for expanding wellness activities to include your community.
• E-newsletters and access to online materials for all school personnel who enroll.

In partnership with the NFL and National Dairy Council, the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association (SUDIA) is providing free Fuel Up to Play 60 Wellness Activation Kits to all Southeast schools, while supplies last. Only one kit is allotted per school; however, there is no limit to the number of wellness champions that can receive the e-newsletters. 

For more information about the Fuel Up to Play 60 program or to order your free kit, visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com.

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In this issue:

Institute of Medicine Recommends New School Meal Plans, Changes Could Impact Dairy

New Research Sheds Light on Lactose Intolerance

Best Bones Forever! Campaign Educates Youth about Building Strong Bones

MilkPEP Processor Education Programs Help Schools Teach Students about the Importance of Milk

Schools Across the Southeast Celebrated World School Milk Day

Fuel Up to Play 60 Inspires Students to Live Active and Healthy Lifestyles, Free Program Kits Available