Diet and Nutrition

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• Dairy foods provide nine essential vitamins and minerals for strong bones and healthy bodies, including calcium; vitamins A, D and B12; protein; potassium; riboflavin; niacin and phosphorus.
• The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends three servings of dairy each day.
• The Dietary Guidelines for Americans also lists dairy foods among the Food Groups to Encourage because these foods provide key vitamins and minerals Americans are lacking.
• Nearly four out of five children do not meet the recommended three servings of dairy a day.
• According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis is a major health threat for approximately 44 million Americans.
• Eating calcium-rich dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt during childhood and adolescence will help build strong bones and reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis later in life, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.