Clinton, Michigan- The snow is melting, the temperature is rising, and a local sports team has started the spring season as celebrities…Chocolate Milk Mustache Celebrities. Clinton JV Baseball team has been named one of United Dairy Industry of Michigan’s (UDIM) Chocolate Milk: Nature’s Sports Drink grant recipients, which emphasizes good nutrition.

This spring, 64 Michigan high school sports teams were awarded funds to purchase and provide low-fat or fat-free chocolate milk to help their student athletes get the nutrition that they need after practices, games and competitions.

Chocolate milk is one of the most nutritious choices that students can make at home or at school. It’s a natural, nutrient-rich beverage and an excellent source of nine essential nutrients – calcium, potassium, protein, phosphorus, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin and niacin – nutrients that students need for good health.

“According to the 2015 Dietary Guidelines, Americans of all activity levels over the age of eight should include three servings of low-fat or fat-free milk or milk products in their diet every day. Chocolate milk is a nutritious option to help meet these recommendations,” says Melissa Gerharter, registered dietitian, UDIM. “And what’s really great about chocolate milk is that it packs a powerful nutrient punch, it’s affordable, and it tastes great.”

“Since the grant began in 2011, we’ve awarded over 800 grants to high school sports teams across Michigan,” states Gerharter. “We’re happy to see the impacts that it has had on the overall nutrition of many student athletes already, and we can only hope that it will continue to gain momentum.”

To build awareness around the importance of good nutrition, the Chocolate Milk: Nature’s Sports Drink kit includes promotional items and educational materials. Winning teams will also receive posters of their Chocolate Milk Mustache Celebrities photos to display around town.

“Learning proper nutrition at a young age is vital to sustaining a healthy lifestyle in the future. Clinton JV Baseball is honored to be selected as a recipient of the Chocolate Milk Mustache Celebrities grant” said Jeff Delezenne.

To learn more about why chocolate milk is naturally Nature’s Sports Drink, visit https://www.milkmeansmore.org/athletes/chocolate-milk/

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The United Dairy Industry of Michigan is the umbrella organization for the Dairy Council of Michigan and the American Dairy Association of Michigan. On behalf of funding members, these non-profit organizations provide science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier society, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media.