Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Now with DOUBLE the Calcium
NORTHFIELD, IL- February 14, 2005 – Almost 90 percent of teens don’t meet the recommended daily intake for calcium1, yet experts are calling for kids to get even more. The 2005 USDA Dietary Guidelines highlight calcium as a “nutrient of concern” among children and adolescents and increased the recommended dairy servings to three per day (ages eight and up). To help parents help their kids get the calcium they need to build and maintain strong bones, Kraft has doubled the calcium2 in a traditional favorite – Kraft Macaroni & Cheese – so kids can get the nutrition they need in a food they already love.
“As a registered dietitian and mom, I know the challenges of making sure kids eat right and get the nutrients they need to grow up strong,” says Joy Bauer, MS, RD and author of “Cooking with Joy.” “That’s why I’m excited about Kraft Macaroni & Cheese with double the calcium. It’s a win-win meal solution for moms and kids because it provides calcium kids need in a food they already enjoy, and it’s an easy and convenient dish parents can feel good about serving their families.”
Each one-cup serving of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese is an excellent source of calcium and a good source of protein, iron and five other important nutrients. Additionally, when prepared according to the “Light Preparation” instructions using fat-free milk and margarine, each serving is 60 percent lower in fat and 20 percent lower in calories than the classic preparation.
Experts Call for Action in Building Stronger Bones
The Surgeon General’s first-ever Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis estimates 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, and 34 million are at risk of the debilitating bone disease. It also predicts the incidence of bone disease will reach its highest number in history if the current trend continues and issued a call-to-action for kids to get more calcium, vitamin D and physical activity early on.
“When you consider 90 percent of bone mass is formed by the age of 17, it’s critical that kids begin building strong bones early on,” says Bauer. “Parents need new, kid-friendly food and fitness solutions to this chronic problem to ensure kids can build a solid foundation for their future.”
Kid-Friendly Calcium Solutions
Building calcium into mealtime and in-between snacks can help boost calcium throughout the day. Joy Bauer has the following tips to create a kid-friendly bone-building routine:
- Make the most of mealtime. Toss vegetables and lean meats, such as chicken or extra lean ground beef, into Kraft Macaroni & Cheese with double the calcium to boost other nutrients kids don t get enough of in their diet
- Combine a cup of low-fat yogurt and fruit into a parfait or smoothie for a quick and delicious breakfast
- Pack two sticks of part-skim string-cheese in their lunches or have them ready in the car after school or soccer practice for a fun and tasty calcium boost
- Make orange juice popsicles for a refreshing treat after school
- Make pudding with low-fat or fat-free milk for an after dinner snack
Kraft’s Commitment to Improved Nutrition
Kraft has long been a leader in products that help consumers eat and live better, offering a range of alternatives. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese now with double the calcium is part of Kraft’s commitment to providing people with products that meet their taste and nutrition needs. To learn about other healthy options, please visit www.kraftfoods.com
Kraft Foods Global Inc. (NYSE: KFT) is a global leader in branded foods and beverages. Kraft Foods is the largest branded food and beverage company headquartered in the United States and the second largest worldwide. Kraft Foods markets many of the world's leading food brands, including Kraft cheese, Jacobs and Maxwell House coffees, Nabisco cookies and crackers, Philadelphia cream cheese, Oscar Mayer meats, Post cereals and Milka chocolates, in more than 150 countries.
1 – National Institute of Health, Why Milk Matters, Aug 1998
2 – Double the calcium of Regular Macaroni & Cheese Dinners
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Contact:
Becky Offill
Weber Shandwick
312-988-2493
boffill@webershandwick.com