Our Blog: January 8, 2024
National Milk Day (January 11) commemorates the 146th anniversary of the first time milk was delivered in sterilized glass bottles to homes in the United States. Back then, delivery made it safer and easier for families to drink milk and get the health benefits.
Interesting Facts About Milk
- Some studies find skim milk to be more hydrating than water due to the naturally occurring electrolytes it contains, such as sodium and potassium.
- Cows produce 6 to 10 gallons of milk per day.
- Milk goes from farm to store in just two days.
- Milk is a great post-workout recovery drink because it replenishes the body with carbs and protein.
- Cleopatra (an Egyptian queen) is known to have bathed in milk to help rejuvenate her skin.
Why Drink Milk?
Milk is a nutritional powerhouse for growing children. It fuels learning, gives the body energy to play, helps develop strong bones and teeth, and builds and repairs muscles.
It is rich in calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin D, and protein.
Once children transition from formula or breast milk to cow’s milk (after their first birthday), they should drink whole milk to get the fat their bodies need to grow. After the age of 2, children can transition to low-fat or non-fat milk options.
Celebrate National Milk Day at Home
- Conduct a Taste Test.
Choose two or three types of milk or milk alternatives to try. Use small cups. Pour just enough to give each person a taste without creating a lot of waste. How do they taste the same or different? How do they look, smell, etc. You may discover a new preference. - Enjoy a Bedtime Snack.
Drink a glass of milk with some whole-grain graham crackers at the end of the evening. Tryptophan and melatonin occur naturally in milk and could even help you fall asleep! - Share Silly Pictures.
Got Milk? The iconic milk mustache advertising campaign debuted in the early 90s. Take your own snapshots and share them on social media with the hashtag #NationalMilkDay.
There are many alternatives available for children who are sensitive to processing dairy or lactose. In our schools, we offer Ripple (plant-based), Silk (soy-based), and lactose-free milk.
About the Author
Nicole Spain, MS, RDN
Childhood nutrition has been Nicole’s passion for more than 20 years. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition and Dietetics from Northern Illinois University. During her career with Learning Care Group (LCG), Nicole has assisted with developing and implementing the company’s proprietary Grow Fit program. Through her curated menus, the healthy lifestyle initiative positively impacts approximately 100,000 children daily in LCG’s 1,050+ schools. She aided in the rollout of the Veggies Early & Often campaign in 2021 and helped LCG be recognized as the 2017 Partner of the Year by the Partnership for a Healthier America. Since 2004, she’s also been an active Junior League member and developed the Kids in the Kitchen program for their Detroit and Milwaukee chapters. Nicole and her husband, John, have three children. In her spare time, Nicole competes on a rowing team with the Detroit Boat Club Crew.
