The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) is celebrating a big win for dairy farmers and fans of milk, cheese, and yogurt everywhere. Gregg Doud, NMPF President and CEO, recently spoke about the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s latest findings, which underline the importance of dairy in a healthy diet.
Why Dairy Matters
The committee recommends that Americans aged two and older consume three servings of dairy daily. Why? Because dairy is packed with essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and protein that our bodies need. According to the committee’s scientific review, cutting back on or removing dairy can leave people undernourished in these key nutrients.
Plant-based milk alternatives, like almond or oat milk, don’t stack up nutritionally to cow’s milk. The committee found that substituting these products could cause people to miss out on other important nutrients. This finding is especially critical for children, who rely on dairy-rich meals provided through school nutrition programs.
Dairy for Everyone
Another major point from the committee is that dairy is an accessible and affordable food option for most people. For those who are lactose intolerant, lactose-free and lactose-reduced dairy products provide the same nutrition without the discomfort.
What About Flavored Milk?
One part of the report disappointed NMPF: the recommendation to focus only on unflavored milk. While the committee acknowledged that flavored milk (like chocolate milk) has valuable nutrients, they didn’t find enough evidence to connect it with obesity. Doud points out that flavored milk plays a role in getting kids to drink more milk and reap its health benefits.
The Case for Whole Milk
Another area where NMPF hopes for progress is the recognition of whole milk’s benefits. Recent studies show that whole milk might support better growth and bone health in young children and doesn’t increase the risk of heart disease. NMPF wants to see this research reflected in the final guidelines, set to be released next year.
Looking Ahead
Doud says the committee’s conclusions on dairy are backed by decades of research, giving confidence to dairy producers and consumers alike. While there’s room for improvement in the guidelines, it’s clear that dairy remains a cornerstone of a healthy diet. As NMPF continues to advocate for full-fat dairy options, farmers can take pride in knowing their products make a difference in the health of millions of Americans.
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