Dairy Celebrates The New Dietary Guidelines

Dairy’s prominence in the new Dietary Guidelines and the recommendation for three daily servings of dairy foods drew applause from the U.S. dairy industry.  Kuda Lamin-Bangura, the senior vice president of scientific affairs for the National Dairy Council, said dairy in the guidelines sets a foundation for the public to know what they should be doing when it comes to healthy eating patterns.

“I think why the dietary guidelines are so important is that they also set a foundation to help the population understand what they need to do in terms of chronic disease risk reduction," Lamin-Bangura said.  "It's an opportunity for dairy foods because we know that dairy is a solution for health and wellness. And when dairy foods are incorporated into dietary guidelines, it really sets that foundation for people to recognize that unique nutrient package that dairy foods provide. I think what's also important about dietary guidelines is that they set the foundation for what goes into our federal feeding assistance programs. A lot of these nutrition programs, such as SNAP, the WIC program, or even the school lunch and school breakfast programs, rely on the Dietary Guidelines to provide those recommendations of what should be included and what people should be consuming.”

Dairy Has A Unique Nutrient Package

What’s exciting for the U.S. dairy industry, she noted, is that there’s a clear directive in the dietary guidelines, which is consume more dairy.

“And also, what's exciting is the recognition that whatever the American population chooses, whether it's whole fat, low fat, reduced fat dairy, lactose-free, or lower lactose-containing options, those are all included as recommendations within the Dietary Guidelines," Lamin-Bangura said.  "And even more exciting is that the Dietary Guidelines recognize the role of dairy foods and their unique nutrient package across the lifespan. At every life stage, there are clear recommendations in terms of what should be consumed in dairy foods and how they're beneficial for health and wellness.”

Dairy Helps With Nutrient Absorption

The good news is milk, cheese, and yogurt at all fat levels can play a part in a a healthy diet for all ages.

“There's a growing body of evidence that continues to show that nutrient-dense dairy foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt at all fat levels can contribute to health across the lifespan," Lamin-Bangura noted.  "Our emerging evidence also suggests that including whole milk and other fuller-fat dairy foods may help support satiety and nutrient absorption, and other protective heart health benefits. What's even more encouraging is that both the science and the consumer behavior are moving in the same direction towards balance and a variety and an understanding that many ways that dairy foods can contribute to overall health and well-being.”

These Results Show The Value Of The Checkoff

Lamin-Bangura added this good news is a result of farmer investments in science through the checkoff.

“The good news that we have on whole milk and whole milk dairy foods like yogurt and cheese in the dairy dietary guidelines is due in part to U.S. dairy farmers' investment over several decades in science to discover the health and wellness benefits of dairy products," Lamin-Bangura said.  "Checkoff has supported more than 80 studies on whole milk and dairy foods made from whole milk foods, and that's prompted other researchers to also study the same areas. And we have third-party researchers building a very large body of evidence around the same topic.”

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