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For kids to grow well…and stay well, they need to get the Pro-tein on the plate. Protein is an essential macronutrient (macro) necessary for growth and development, muscle health, bone health and to support a healthy immune system. When you don’t have enough protein, you can feel tired, have trouble concentrating, experience delayed growth, longer wound healing time and get sick more often.

HOW MUCH PROTEIN DO KIDS NEED TO SUPPORT THEIR GROWING BODY?

AGE             PROTEIN NEEDS (grams/day)
4-8                 19  

9-13               34

For kids that are active or athletes, the amount of protein needed could even be higher. 

The goal is to eat enough protein but make sure that you balance the diet our with Carbs and healthy fats too. And that is the reason why I love MOO’V™ Real Milk! It deliciously delivers on protein, carbs, vitamins and minerals, and it counts as a fluid. Milk is a high quality protein meaning it supplies all the essential amino acids as well as Vitamins A, D, E, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B12 and the minerals calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iodine, selenium and zinc. 

HOW TO CONSUME PROTEIN OVER THE DAY

When we talk about optimizing protein intake, that means protein containing foods as part of every meal, not just dinner. MOO’V™ Real Milk is a great grab-and-go for breakfast, enjoyed with a piece of fruit or granola bar for a mid-day snack, blended with fruit in a smoothie, or poured in a bowl with cold or hot cereal. MOO’V™ Real Milk ups the protein game at lunch along with PBJ and is a great choice for kids with picky palates or who do not like the texture of other protein foods. A serving of MOO’V™ meets 50% of the day’s protein requirement for 9-13 year olds in a portable, palatable and no effort way. 

So, to help your kids grow well and stay well, join the MOO’V-ment. Helping kids score with their pour and ensuring that you are optimizing their protein intake every day.

Leslie Bonci, MPH, RDN, CSSD, LDN, is the Dietary & Nutrition Strategic Advisor at Dari^® and MOO’V™ milk. With over two decades of experience, she is an expert in nutrition with many of Leslie’s blog posts center around active eating and fueling for sport. She is the Head Nutritionist for the Kansas City Chiefs and has been a consulting sports dietitian in the NFL, MLB, and NHL, and worked with Olympic athletes. Bonci has co-authored three books with an active eating focus, is a blogger for US News Eat + Run, and is a sought-after expert for television, radio, print and online media, Bonci speaks regularly on topics including “sciensationalism,” “fuels of engagement” and “communication with conviction” to help influencers and consumers debunk the junk and separate fact from fallacy.

Many of us have heard that there are foods that protect our bones, but you may not know that there are foods and beverages that play an important role in keeping our teeth and gums healthy too.

TEETH-FRIENDLY FOODS

Foods that are high in calcium help to make teeth strong by protecting tooth enamel. Here are some foods that are high in calcium: 

• Dairy milk
• Yogurt
• Cheese
• Canned salmon or other canned fish (with bones)
• Almonds
• Some dark green leafy vegetables

Foods containing Phosphorus also help to make our teeth strong by protecting the tooth enamel. Foods that are high in phosphorus include: 

• Eggs
• Fish
• Meat
• Poultry
• Dairy foods
• Beans such as chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, soy beans
• Nuts

Vitamin C containing foods help to keep gums healthy. Look for the following foods with Vitamin C:

• Citrus fruits 
• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Kiwi
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Potatoes

Drinking enough liquid helps to stimulate the flow of saliva. Give the drinks a try:

• Water
• Milk
• Fruit 
• Vegetables

EATING HABITS THAT PROMOTE GOOD ORAL HEALTH

Eating constantly throughout the day, especially snacks that have a lot of carbohydrates such as chips, pretzels, cookies, and candy can cause tooth decay.  This is why it is important to make the most of meals to minimize the hunger between meals and the need for in-between-meal snacking. MOO’V™ is a great option as it provides protein to help kids feel fuller longer between meals, and because it is whole milk, it is also a great source of calcium and phosphorus. Some great ideas for smart snacking include:

• A banana with peanut butter
• Veggies with bean dip
• A smoothie made with milk
• Yogurt dip and cut up fruit
• Cheese and crackers

So, what about sugar?

Let’s face it, foods that are sweet taste great. But too many sweets are not great for the teeth. When we talk about sugar and teeth health, not all sugars are created equal. Dairy, fruit, vegetables and grains all contain sugar but are high in nutritional value. On the other hand, soda, fruit drinks, desserts, candy and even savory snacks can increase the risk of tooth decay and should be limited. When they are eaten, it should be as part of a meal and not by themselves. 

When it comes to your kid’s teeth and gum health, help them choose wisely from in the refrigerator and on the pantry shelf. Grabbing MOO’V™ is a great way to provide kids a delicious flavor to savor while also providing the fluid, protein, and minerals that are important for bones and teeth.

Leslie Bonci, MPH, RDN, CSSD, LDN, is the Dietary & Nutrition Strategic Advisor at Dari^® and MOO’V™ milk. With over two decades of experience, she is an expert in nutrition with many of Leslie’s blog posts center around active eating and fueling for sport. She is the Head Nutritionist for the Kansas City Chiefs and has been a consulting sports dietitian in the NFL, MLB, and NHL, and worked with Olympic athletes. Bonci has co-authored three books with an active eating focus, is a blogger for US News Eat + Run, and is a sought-after expert for television, radio, print and online media, Bonci speaks regularly on topics including “sciensationalism,” “fuels of engagement” and “communication with conviction” to help influencers and consumers debunk the junk and separate fact from fallacy.

We all know that getting in enough fluid is essential, and for growing kids, even more so to optimize mental and physical health and maximize athletic performance. But why not go the head of the class with what’s in the glass? There are lots of beverages to choose from, but when you are looking for value added- look no further than dairy milk.

Milk provides 13, count ‘em, 13 essential nutrients. So, more ways to score with your pour!

1) Protein- you may not think of milk as a source of protein, but milk contains 1 gram of protein for every ounce. One serving of MOO’V™ provides 11 grams of protein. Kids need at least 19-34 grams of protein a day, so one bottle of MOO’V™ is a great way of achieving these goals. Protein is important for bone health, muscles, skin, and a healthy immune system PLUS foods with protein help with satiety to keep the body more satisfied between meals.

2) Calcium is an important mineral for the health of bones and teeth but also our hearts, blood clotting and muscle contraction and relaxation. Calcium requirements for children are between 1000-1300 milligrams per day and a serving of MOO’V™ at least 30% of the daily requirement.

3) Phosphorus is a mineral that works together with calcium to support healthy bones and teeth and is a component of our genetic material, DNA and RNA. Phosphorus requirements for children are 500-1250 milligrams per day and a serving of MOO’V™ provides 326 milligrams.

4) Vitamin A is important for the health of skin and eyes as well as to help with growth and support of the immune system. Children require 400-600 retinol activity equivalents (RAE) per day and MOO’V™ provides 15% of the Daily Value

5) Vitamin D is important to build and maintain strong bones and teeth as well as to maintain a healthy immune system. Children require 15 micrograms or 600 IU of Vitamin D daily. A serving of MOO’V™ provides 12 micrograms.

6-9) The B vitamins are also known as riboflavin, niacin, panthothenic acid and cobalamin. Riboflavin is important as it helps our body breakdown and use energy from carbohydrate, protein and fat. Children need 0.6-0,9 milligrams of riboflavin daily and a serving of MOO’V™ provides 0.75 milligrams. Niacin is an important component of breakdown and utilization of nutrients to generate energy for the body and a serving of MOO’V™ provides 4.5 milligrams Niacin Equivalents (NE) (out of a recommended 8-12). Panthothenic acid is also involved in the body’s reactions that help us use the food we eat for energy. Children require 3-4 milligrams of panthothenic acid daily and a serving of MOO’V™ provides 1.35 milligrams. Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) helps with blood function and keeps the nervous system healthy. Children require 1.2-1.8 milligrams of Vitamin B12 daily and a serving of MOO’V™ provides 1.65 milligrams.

10) Zinc is a mineral that plays a role in supporting a healthy immune system, is important for normal growth and development and for the health of the skin. Children require 5-8 milligrams of zinc daily and a serving of MOO’V™ provides 1.5 milligrams.

11) Selenium is a mineral that is important for immune health, but also plays a role in metabolism and functions as an antioxidant to protect healthy cells from damage. Children require 30-40 micrograms of zinc daily and a serving of MOO’V™ provides 12 micrograms.

12) Iodine is a mineral that is linked to cognitive function in childhood and is essential for proper bone and brain development during pregnancy and infancy. Children require 90-120 micrograms of iodine daily. A serving of MOO’V™ provides 127.5 micrograms.

13) Potassium is a mineral that is important for fluid balance, healthy blood pressure, heart health and normal muscle function. Children require 2300-2500 milligrams of potassium daily and a serving of MOO’V™ provides 473 milligrams.

So when you want to get more out of your pour, reach for MOO’V™. Your body will thank you!

Leslie Bonci, MPH, RDN, CSSD, LDN, is the Dietary & Nutrition Strategic Advisor at Dari^® and MOO’V™ milk. With over two decades of experience, she is an expert in nutrition with many of Leslie’s blog posts center around active eating and fueling for sport. She is the Head Nutritionist for the Kansas City Chiefs and has been a consulting sports dietitian in the NFL, MLB, and NHL, and worked with Olympic athletes. Bonci has co-authored three books with an active eating focus, is a blogger for US News Eat + Run, and is a sought-after expert for television, radio, print and online media, Bonci speaks regularly on topics including “sciensationalism,” “fuels of engagement” and “communication with conviction” to help influencers and consumers debunk the junk and separate fact from fallacy.