Importance of Dairy food in the Diet

Dairy foods and ingredients play an important nutrition delivery and cultural role in the daily diets of people around the world. Whether traditional fare or new additions to regional preferences, dairy foods provide clear benefits to people of all ages. Specifically:

Dairy and dairy-containing foods contribute many essential nutrients including protein, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B12, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.

Milk, cheese and yogurt are core aspects of healthy eating patterns and dietary guidance recommendations in many countries.

Dairy ingredients like whey and milk proteins support healthful diets and are found in dairy-based beverages, yogurt, nutrition and energy bars, ready-to-drink beverages, oatmeal, snacks and powder for homemade smoothies and shakes.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, fat-free or low-fat dairy products are the best choice for most people because whole-milk and whole-milk products add calories and fat to the diet. Although flavored milks such as chocolate and strawberry contribute the same nutrients to the diet as plain milk, they also add extra calories from sugar.