Should Milk Be Banned From School Lunches?

Dairy milk has always been a staple in children's lunches. A battle over whether to include full-fat or low-fat milk was waged beginning in 1974 and into the 1980s, with a requirement for a dairy milk substitute to be provided based on dietary needs included in 2004. The latest update that goes live this month, require that only non- or low-fat milk be served with school lunches.

Even though dairy milk has always been around in school lunches, a petition from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine states that it is scientifically proven that milk is high in animal fats, animal protein, and sugar (derived from lactose), making the drink more harmful to bones, than helpful.

“Research also shows that children can get all the calcium they need from non-dairy sources,” says the petition, “such as beans, tofu, broccoli, kale, collard greens, breads, cereals, and non-dairy, fortified beverages, without any of the health detriments associated with dairy consumption.” The petition goes on to recommend calcium-fortified soy milk and rice milk as "good substitutes for dairy beverages."

BLOGS.BABBLE.COM reports:
A national group of physicians argues that dairy milk should be taken off school lunch menus, but what's right for your kid?