No substitute for dairy

The experts all agree: dairy is an essential food group in a healthy diet. Beth Briczinski, dairy food scientist from the National Milk Producers Federation, says there is no replacement for dairy and recommends three servings of milk or dairy foods each day. “Dairy has nine essential nutrients, is a source for three of the four nutrients of concern and is extremely difficult to replace in the diet,” she says. “Even foods that are sometimes seen as substitutes for dairy can’t compare to real dairy products.”

The Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture discussed the newly released Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee during a meeting.

The non-binding advisory report was written to help the federal government develop national nutrition policy when it releases 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans later this year. The committee’s report affirmed that dairy foods are excellent sources of key nutrients that are underconsumed, including vitamin D, calcium, and potassium.

The data also suggest cautious optimism about dietary intake of the youngest members of the US population because many young children ages two to five years consume recommended amounts of fruit and dairy. However, a better understanding is needed on how to maintain and encourage good habits that are started early in life. To read the report, click HERE.