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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
Introduction
Many Americans need to improve their food choices, as evidenced by the declining quality of their diets (1-5) and the sharp rise in obesity rates (6-8). Intake of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods at the expense of more nutrient-rich foods is contributing to the dietary imbalance and rising obesity rates in the U.S. (1,2,9-12). Adults are consuming about one-third of their calories from high-energy foods of minimal nutritional value (11). Compared to 20 years ago, adults have increased their energy intake by 300 calories a day (1). Most of this increase comes from refined grains, added sugars, and added fats, as opposed to dairy products, vegetables, or fruit.
Even though Americans are consuming more calories, they are failing to consume adequate amounts of nutrients for good health. Calcium is the nutrient most likely to be in short supply in a typical American diet (2,12,13). Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicate that more than 75% of Americans are not meeting current dietary recommendations for calcium (13,14). Only about 38% of males and 29% of females aged 6 to11 and 32% of males and 12% of females aged 12 to 19 consume recommended dietary intakes of calcium (13). On average, Americans consume only 1.5 servings of dairy foods a day compared to 2 to 3 servings of milk, yogurt, or cheese/day recommended in the Food Guide Pyramid (15,16).
The most recent U.S. food supply and consumption trends point to an increased intake of energy-dense refined grains, added sugars, and fats at the expense of dairy products, vegetables, and fruit (1,3-5). According to USDA's recently released 1999-2000 Healthy Eating Index, which is used to assess and monitor the status of Americans' diets, only 17% of the people consumed the recommended number of servings of fruit per day and only 30% of Americans met dietary recommendations for milk and milk products (5).
The decline in consumption of fluid milk in recent decades may be attributed to competition from other beverages, especially carbonated soft drinks, which provide significant sugar calories but no nutrients (1,17). A recent study using national data showed that by age 13, adolescents drank more soft drinks than milk, 100% fruit juice, or fruit drinks (17). The current (2000) edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (18) expresses concern over the significant proportion of the population that may not be meeting needs for calcium and other nutrients because of their preference for sweetened beverages such as soda instead of nutrient-rich milk and 100% juice. The American Academy of Pediatrics, in a new policy statement, recommends that schools restrict the sale of soft drinks to reduce the risk of overweight and obesity, as well as tooth decay, in children (19).
Milk, cheese, and yogurt are nutrient-dense foods supplying a high concentration of many nutrients in relation to their energy (calorie) value.
To improve their diets, Americans are encouraged to increase their intake of naturally nutrient-dense foods. Milk, yogurt, and cheese are nutrient-dense foods that supply a high concentration of many nutrients in relation to their energy (caloric) value (20). The significant contribution of milk, cheese, and yogurt to nutrient intakes and health is supported by science (21).
Because of dairy products' naturally nutrient-rich composition, they have long held a key position as a separate group in basic food guides. USDA's Food Guide Pyramid (16), which is included in the current edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (18), recommends 2 to 3 servings per day from the Milk, Yogurt & Cheese group. USDA is reassessing the Food Guide Pyramid to ensure that it continues to be based on sound science and helps Americans make better food choices (22-24). Some scientists, health professionals, and health professional organizations recommend 3 to 4 servings of dairy a day to meet calcium needs (25-29).
This Digest reviews dairy products' overall nutrient profile; studies showing that consuming dairy foods improves calcium intake as well as the overall nutritional adequacy of the diet, or conversely that low dairy intake compromises nutrient intake; and dairy products' inclusion in food guides and dietary recommendations.
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