Child-Friendly Milk Group Food Ideas
Tips for making sure children meet their recommended daily calcium intake:

• Make calcium convenient - keep string cheese and yogurt on hand for snacks.

• Be a role model. Children whose parents drink milk are more likely to meet their daily calcium needs.

• Serve milk with meals.

• Order milk when eating away from home.

• Taste a new flavor - flavored milk has the same amount of calcium as white milk.

• Send in milk money when children take lunch to school.

• Remember that children eat first and foremost for taste. After age 2 the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends gradually decreasing the amount of fat in the diet to 30 percent. If your child prefers whole or reduced fat milk, think about how to cut fat elsewhere in the diet - rather than jeopardize calcium intake.

• Serve milk ice cold. Pour it right before serving and promptly return it to the refrigerator.

• Remind children to choose milk when they eat school lunch.