Many people understand the importance of drinking milk to receive calcium, vitamin D and other health benefits, but new research reveals that teens are skimping on their glasses of milk.
A study by the Project EAT (Eating Among Teens) studied 1,500 young adults and found that 68 percent of females and 53 percent of males consumed less than the recommended 1,000 mg of calcium each day.
In addition, 72 percent of females and 55 percent of males at the peak of adolescence had a similarly poor diet and were receiving less than 1,300 mg of calcium per day, as guidelines suggest.
Dr. Nicole Larson of the University of Minnesota at Minneapolis summarized the teams findings and suggested that “families of adolescents serve milk at meals” and “build concern for healthful eating” rather than poor diet habits.
While there are certain proteins that only milk can provide, people can receive extra vitamin D and calcium by taking appropriate nutritional supplements.
Teens who are calcium deficient might benefit from calcium nutritional supplements throughout adolescence to ensure those levels remain high. 