Dairy Value Facts

Nutrition Know How

Nutrient-rich dairy foods offer more nutritional value, for less money than many grocery alternatives. Nutrition experts recommend stretching your food dollars by avoiding empty calorie foods that lack nutrients.

Dare to Compare Nutritional Value

Dairy's nine essential nutrients are a must at any age! Getting three servings of nutrient-rch dairy foods every day is important for promoting good health because dairy delivers a unique package of nutrients — including calcium and beyond — that is not delivered by any other food or beverage. And dairy foods provide many health benefits, such as helping to build and maintain strong bones and teeth, control blood pressure and maintain a healthy weight.

It takes 3 cups of broccoli to equal the calcium in one cup of milk.
An 8-ounce serving of low-fat plain yogurt contains 490 milligrams of potassium; about the same as a banana.
One ounce of hard cheese (like Cheddar) contains 8 grams of protein; an egg contains 6 grams.

Dairy Delivers 9 Essential Nutrients

It’s more than calcium for strong bones! Dairy delivers significant amounts of eight other key nutrients, such as Vitamin D, Protein, Potassium and Vitamin B12.

Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, helps promote the absorption of calcium and helps strengthen bones. Milk is one of the few dietary sources of vitamin D. One 8-ounce glass provides 25% of your daily requirement.

Dairy is an excellent of high quality protein. Protein builds and repairs muscle tissue and serves as a source of energy.

Milk and yogurt contain as much potassium as a banana. Potassium regulates the body's fluid balance and helps maintain normal blood pressure.

Vitamin B12 helps maintain healthy red blood cells and nerve tissue. Milk and yogurt are excellent sources of Vitamin B12.