GOT MILK? Makes Snack Time Count

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., March 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- When kids rush home from school in the afternoon, it is often easy for them to reach for potato chips and soda.  Unfortunately, with snacks constituting up to one third of calories in children's diet, these "convenient options" do not provide the adequate vitamins and nutrients kids need.  That's why the National Institutes of Health reports that more than 90 percent of girls and 75 percent of boys ages nine to 13 have inadequate calcium intake(1) and that childhood obesity continues to be on the rise.  To help combat these problems and in observance of National Nutrition Month, the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB), the creator of GOT MILK?, has partnered with the California Dietetic Association (CDA) to get the word out to families about making informed food choices.  Taking this program a step further, GOT MILK? will conduct FREE children's cooking classes at select local YMCAs throughout California to teach them firsthand how to prepare healthier after-school snacks.

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"It's important that children understand the foods they're eating," says Lorri Holzberg, M.A., R.D., C.D.E., Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator and President of the California Dietetic Association(2).  "Studies show that kids who learn about proper nutrition and food preparation oftentimes influence their own parents to practice better eating habits at home, making for a healthier family unit."

Holzberg says kids could get about one-third of their daily calories from after-school snacks, so parents need to make sure that children receive the nutrients they need to support proper growth.  Fruits, vegetables and low fat or nonfat milk are just some examples of key foods that provide children the calcium and nutrients they need.  Exclusively available on www.gotmilk.com, families can find kid-friendly after-school snack ideas that are delicious and take only minutes to make, such as Blueberry & Banana Cream Milkshake and Fruit & Pudding Parfait.

Children (6 to 12 years old) throughout California will also have a chance to make these delicious after-school snacks by signing up for a FREE cooking class sponsored by GOT MILK? at their local YMCA.  To R.S.V.P. email [email protected] or call (310) 473-4422.  Space is limited.  Each attendee will receive a GOT MILK? apron and a special gift for participating:

"We hope to leave an impression with young people that eating healthy can be tasty and fun," says Steve James, executive director of the CMPB.  "And with the right ingredients such as milk, children will also get the necessary nutrients to build strong bones, muscles, teeth, hair and nails."

To register for the FREE GOT MILK? March Nutrition Month Kids Cooking Classes and to learn more about milk-based after-school snacks, visit www.gotmilk.com.

About the CDA

The California Dietetic Association (CDA), an Affiliate of the American Dietetic Association, is a non-profit professional organization of more than 6,000 Registered Dietitians, Diet Technicians Registered and dietetic students.  The mission of the CDA is to empower members to be the State of California's food and nutrition leaders.  Registered Dietitians (RD) practice in a variety of arenas and provide medical nutrition therapy, prevention and wellness education, and nutrition assessments and intervention. RDs can be found in hospitals, clinics, dialysis centers, long term care facilities, education institutions, public health programs, and food service operations, to name a few. Since 1925 the CDA has been optimizing the health of Californian through food and nutrition. Contact and learn more about CDA at: www.dietitian.org.

About the CMPB

The California Milk Processor Board was established in 1993 to make milk more competitive and increase milk consumption in California.  Awareness of GOT MILK? is over 90% nationally and it is considered one of the most important and successful campaigns in history.  GOT MILK? is a federally registered trademark that has been licensed by the national dairy boards since 1995.  The CMPB's Spanish-language campaign began in 1994 using the tagline "Familia, Amor y Leche" (Family, Love and Milk).  The TOMA LECHE (Drink Milk) campaign replaced it in 2006, following a growing trend in Hispanic food advertising that uses wit and humor to reach audiences.  GOT MILK? gifts and recipes can be viewed at www.gotmilk.com and www.tomaleche.com.  The CMPB is funded by all California milk processors and administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

(1) "Why are the tween and teen years so critical?" National Institutes of Health.

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/milk/prob/critical.cfm

(2) Disclaimer: The CMPB & the CDA have partnered in this effort strictly for educational outreach with no financial connection.

SOURCE California Milk Processor Board