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free tools for patients, expert nutrition advice and information on updated
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Educate your patients on the importance of 3-A-Day of Dairy: Here's
a great
tool (PDF: 618k) to show families how to get their 3-A-Day of Dairy
every day for stronger bones.
Developed in conjunction with The American Academy of Family
Physicians, The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Dietetic
Association, and The National Medical Association.
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Dairy Council Digest Archives
Dairy Foods' Contribution to Nutrient Dense Diets
Summary
With the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity in the nation and the current calcium crisis, it is important that Americans minimize their intake of high-energy foods of low nutrient value, especially those high in added fats, added sugar, and salt, in favor of naturally nutrient-dense foods. Milk and other dairy foods, vegetables, and fruit are moderate in energy and have a high nutrient-to-calories ratio. Consuming empty calories at the expense of naturally nutrient-dense foods increases the risk of excess energy intake, marginal micronutrient intakes, and poor compliance with dietary guidance. Data from food consumption surveys reveal that Americans are consuming too few daily servings of nutrient-rich dairy foods, fruits, and vegetables.
Milk, yogurt, and cheese provide a high concentration of many nutrients relative to their energy value. Dairy foods contribute only 9% of total calories available in the nation's food supply. Yet, these foods naturally provide 72% of the calcium, 32% of the phosphorus, 26% of the riboflavin, 23% of vitamin A, 20% of vitamin B12,19% of protein, and18% of potassium, along with appreciable amounts of other nutrients. As a result of vitamin D fortification, fluid milk is the major dietary source of vitamin D. In addition to its unique combination of essential nutrients, dairy foods contain several bioactive components (e.g., conjugated linoleic acid or CLA, sphingolipids, probiotics) with potential health-promoting benefits. Because of their unique combination of nutrients, dairy foods cannot be duplicated by a fortified food or dietary supplement.
Studies in children, adolescents, and adults show that milk and other dairy foods are the major contributors of dietary calcium. Also, their intake improves the overall nutritional quality of the diet without significantly increasing total calorie or fat intake, body weight, or percent body fat.
Because of dairy foods' unique composition of nutrients, these foods have continued to be a key component of dietary guidance issued over the years by the U.S. government and supported by health experts. The current (2000) edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and USDA's Food Guide Pyramid recommend 2 to 3 servings/day of foods from the Milk, Yogurt & Cheese group.
At present, USDA is reassessing the Food Guide Pyramid to ensure that it continues to be based on sound science and to help Americans implement the Dietary Guidelines. Since the Pyramid was introduced in 1992, new information about nutrition, health, diet, and food consumption has become available. For example, Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for nearly all nutrients have been released. To meet the DRIs for calcium released in1997, most people need to consume 3 to 4 servings/day of milk, yogurt, or cheese. The update of the Pyramid is being coordinated with the review and potential revision of the Dietary Guidelines, which has been revised every five years since its introduction in 1980. New editions of the Food Guide Pyramid and Dietary Guidelines are scheduled for release in 2005.
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