Milk is One Beverage Birmingham Can't Afford to Keep Off the Gr...( BIRMINGHAM Ala. Dec. 15 /- With risin...),Health

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- With rising food costs, many families are economizing on groceries but one thing they should not cut back on is nutrition. At about 25 cents per 8-ounce glass, on a gallon basis, milk offers more nutrients per penny than almost any other beverage option in the supermarket -- proving key vitamins and minerals like calcium and vitamin D that are important for the entire family. To ensure moms don't cut milk from their grocery lists, the National got milk? Campaign is shining the spotlight on milk's nutritional and economic value by providing new tools to help Birmingham's families maximize their grocery budgets.

Milk's Nutrient Advantage -- The Value of a Quarter

When compared to other beverage options such as soda, sports drinks, enhanced water or even vitamin D and calcium fortified orange juice, not one can stack up against the nutritional and economic value of a glass of milk. Milk offers the most bang for a quarter, with a full 8-ounce glass of nine essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, protein and potassium. Other beverages fall short on nutrients and can cost up to seven times the amount of one serving of milk.

In fact, a new health claim acknowledging the vital role of vitamin D together with calcium for maintaining good bone health and reducing the risk of osteoporosis could soon be appearing on milk cartons. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a health claim that will urge Americans to boost their intakes of calcium and vitamin D for bone health, suggesting that "adequate calcium and vitamin D throughout life, as part of a well-balanced diet, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis."

Nutritionist Dr. Keith Ayoob, author of "The Uncle Sam Diet," which outlines a healthy eating style for families based on the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, notes that milk remains one of the best ways boost calcium an
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