Flavored Milks or Unflavored Milk?

                              

My daughter would have nothing to do with sweets until she discovered the joys of snack time at preschool.  There are so many contributing factors to childhood obesity.  Genetics and lifestyle choices are major contributing factors.  In my case I was lucky.  My mother’s family had an ongoing battle with weight.  On the other hand my father’s family did not. I inherited my father’s genes.

Recently parents of the Fresno Unified School District approached the board and asked for a ban on flavored milks.  Their reasoning was flavored milks contribute to childhood weight issues. Since soda has already been outlawed, a war on flavored milks seemed logical.

I have no problem with taking flavored milks off the menu.  I also applaud the involvement of the parents.  We all know that parent involvement is important to the success of children in the school setting.

But I’m throwing out an idea.  Maybe the choice to drink flavored or unflavored milk is one of those teachable moments all parents and teachers love.

Think about it, maybe those charged with the care of children should find those moments to give children opportunities to use those critical thinking skills  to think about lifestyle choices and the impact it has on their lives.

The choice of what kind of milk to drink is one of those steps that lead to empowering children to make choices that will enhance their quality of life.  Just a thought.

http://www.fresnounified.org/Pages/Default.aspx