Whole milk headed back to school cafeterias after Trump signs law as experts tout benefits

PresidentDonald Trumpsigned the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act into law Wednesday — a piece of legislation that brings whole milk and 2% milk back into schools.

Obama-era USDA school-meal rules — under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act — previously banned whole milk, requiring schools to only offer fat-free, low-fat, flavored or unflavored milk options.

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“With this legislation, schools will finally be able to expand their offerings to includenutritious whole milk,” the president said during the signing.“This is the perfect follow-up to the new Real Food pyramid.”

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The bill also allows parents to request milk substitutes, while a written statement from a doctor was previously required. 

“We’re eliminating that rather ridiculous policy, allowing parents to choose what isbest for their child, which is a big move,” Trump added.

President Donald Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act on Wednesday.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The change comes a week after the release of the flipped food pyramid, part of theMake America Healthy Againmovement’s proactive approach to health.

At the signing, HHS Secretary Robert F.Kennedy Jr.said President Trump has ended the war on saturated fat that’s taken over school menus, “even though science [has] never shown that whole milk harms children.”

“The panoply of nutrients in whole milk is critical tobrain developmentand physical development in our children,” said Kennedy.

The secretary linked the increase inchildhood obesityand diabetes to the removal of whole milk from schools over the past 15 years.

“The panoply of nutrients in whole milk is critical to brain development and physical development in our children,” said HHS Secretary Robert F.Kennedy Jr.on Wednesday during the bill signing.(andresr/Getty Images)

“As you go down in milk fat percentage, you generally get fewer calories and less saturated fat, while protein and calcium stay broadly similar,” Pathak said.

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Certain vitamins, such asvitamin D, are typically added back through fortification, she noted.

“Whole milk is a high-quality protein.”

The exception would be soy and pea milk, which can have protein at comparable levels to dairy, she added.

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Dr.Ben Carson, USDA�

Drink up, America.#DrinkWholeMilk 🥛(USDA)

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“Children’s brains are growing so rapidly, and milk provides thehealthy fatsthat are essential for brain development,” said Carson.

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“Whole milk is a high-quality protein that helps kids have strong bones and teeth with its vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus content.”

“With this legislation, schools will finally be able to expand their offerings to include nutritious whole milk,” said President Trump during the signing.(Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“[Whole milk] offer[s] more protein, calcium, vitamin D and minerals that are good for you, and it promotes satiety, which may keep you from overeating,” the doctor said.

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“It may also decrease your risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome and keep you from otheraddictive substances.”

Ashley J.