Why Dairy Makes Sense, Especially Today
When budgets are tight, families must make hard choices. Several recent research studies highlight how, since the economic downturn, Americans are going 'back to the basics,' limiting spending to the bare necessities. That's where dairy products come in. Keeping nutrient-rich foods like milk, cheese and yogurt on your table lets families maintain healthy habits and stretch grocery dollars.
Why Dairy?
A visit to the dairy case of your local supermarket highlights the variety of naturally delicious, naturally nutritious dairy products available to supplement our everyday diet. And unlike other food choices, a single serving of dairy contains nine key nutrients deemed essential to good health: calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, riboflavin, niacin. Four of these — calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamin A — are among the seven essential nutrients the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans say most Americans miss. Because of this, dairy products are key to maintaining health in many areas:
Bone is a living tissue that requires calcium for continuous renewal. We are born with about 25g of calcium in our bodies. By adulthood, this increases to about 1200g. Consuming the recommended three dairy servings a day at all stages of life helps maintain healthy calcium levels. And at about 25 cents per serving today, milk is a great economic choice.
There is a large body of evidence to suggest that dairy products are non-cariogenic, or unlikely to cause tooth decay, for many reasons. Dairy contains calcium and protein, two essentials for healthy tooth formation. Dairy also contain lactose, a natural sugar that is kinder to teeth than other sweeteners. And cheese is known for its cariogenic-proactive effects — it helps prevent tooth decay by neutralizing mouth acid. To save money, purchase cheese by the block and shred or cut it into individual portions for serving.
A growing body of research suggests that enjoying three servings of milk, cheese or
yogurt each day may help maintain a healthy weight. At least 45 observational studies exploring dietary intake patterns and body weight in various population groups indicate that those who consume greater amounts of dairy foods tend to weigh less than those who consume less dairy.
Other studies highlight dairy's role in reducing risks of osteoporosis, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Visit the National Dairy Council for more information, or check out other value-smart dairy resources for more about why a dairy-rich diet makes sense today, and always.