The dairy food group consists of:
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Fluid Milk: Buttermilk, lactose-free milks, flavored milks, regular milk (whole, 2%, 1%, skim) and soy milk
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Yogurt: Milk-based, soy, and kefir
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Cheese: Hard cheeses like cheddar and mozzarella; soft cheeses like feta, brie, and cottage cheese; and processed cheeses like American cheese and queso
Dairy products contain vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients that support our health in many ways, such as:
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Calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D and magnesium, needed for bone health.
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Potassium, needed for heart health.
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Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), needed for energy.
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Vitamin B12, which plays a role with nerve health and preventing anemia
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Zinc, needed for our immune system, wound healing, and plays a role with our ability to taste and smell.
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Choline, which helps with our mood and memory.
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Selenium, needed for proper thyroid function.
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Vitamin A, helps with our vision and immune system.
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Protein, needed for strength, wound healing, and our immune system.
For adults 19 years of age and older, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend 3 servings daily of dairy. Examples of what counts as a serving of dairy include: 1 cup (8 oz) of milk, 1 cup of yogurt, and 1 ½ oz of cheese.
Currently, 90% of Americans do not meet the 3 servings of dairy per day recommendation. There are also 4 key nutrients missing from the American diet, which are fiber, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D. So, it's no surprise that three out of the four key nutrients missing in the American diet (calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D), happen to come from the dairy group.