Q: Can this product be used with cereal?
A: It can be mixed with any type of cereal.
Q: Do flavored varieties contain sugar?
A: No, all varieties have no added sugar. Natural flavor is added to flavored varieties.
Q: Does the milk we use have added growth hormones (rBST)?
A: Our co-ops do not treat their cows with rBST added growth hormone. All co-ops are certified by Nestlé ensuring the quality of our milk.
Q: How is this product different from Complete Nutritional Beverages (e.g. Pediasure®)?
A: GRADUATES® SMART SIPS™ is a nutritious everyday beverage alternative. Each serving has 15 essential vitamins and minerals and Omega 3 fat for healthy growth and development. Complete Nutritional Beverages are nutritional supplements. These beverages are intended to be used as medical foods or as a full meal substitution for malnourished children.
Q: How is this product different from GERBER® GOOD START® 2 formula?
A: SMART SIPS beverage is not an infant formula and should not be consumed before the age of 12 months.
Q: How should these products be handled?
A: Our beverages are packed using Tetra Pak® aseptic technology, which ensures the product freshness without the need of refrigeration or preservatives. After opening, the aseptic seal is broken and then the product needs to be refrigerated and consumed within 48 hours.
Q: What is Graduates Smart Sips?
A: GRADUATES® SMART SIPS™ beverage is made with delicious and nutritious fat-free milk and is specially formulated to support toddler’s healthy growth and development. It can be consumed everyday and at any drinking occasion as an alternative to any beverage. Special packaging and processing technologies enable this product to be shelf stable without the use of preservatives. With the addition of the straw for self-feeding, these beverages are perfect for the on-the-go consumption, as part of a lunch box, or for at home.
Q: What is the recommended use for this product?
A: GRADUATES® SMART SIPS™ beverage can be consumed as an alternative to any beverage for toddlers 12 months and older.
Q: What kind of milk is used in our formulations?
A: We use Grade A fat-free cows milk.
Q: When can a toddler start using this product?
A: This product is recommended and formulated to be used from 12 months onwards as part of a healthy diet.
Q: Where can you find GRADUATES® SMART SIPS™ beverages?
A: You can find GRADUATES® SMART SIPS™ beverages with other GRADUATES® products in your grocery store.
Q: Why is a straw included with the Tetra Pak® carton?
A: We added the straw to help encourage self-feeding and to make the Smart Sips beverages perfect for the on-the-go consumption, as part of a lunch box, or for at home.
Q: Why is fat free milk used instead of whole milk in SMART SIPS™ beverages?
A: Research indicates that many toddlers are not consuming enough total fat or Omega 3 fat while they are consuming too much saturated fat in their daily diet*. Whole milk has 4.5g of saturated fat per 8 fl oz serving compared with 0g per 8 fl oz serving in fat-free milk. Starting with fat-free milk and adding vegetable oils delivers a nutritional profile appropriate for toddlers:
- 5g of total fat that toddlers need (about the same as 2% reduced fat milk)
- 140 mg of Omega 3 fat
- 1g of saturated fat (low saturated fat)
*FITS, 2002
Q: Why is the SMART SIPS™ beverage important for toddlers?
A: Many toddlers are consuming sweetened beverages that offer little nutrition for the calories*. SMART SIPS™ beverages provide a nutritious alternative. SMART SIPS™ beverages have:
- 140 mg of Omega 3 fat per serving. Many toddlers are not getting enough of the Omega 3 fats they need*.
- 15 vitamins & minerals. Many toddlers are not getting enough of essential vitamins and minerals they need.
- No added sugars and/or sweeteners.
*FITS, 2002