Washington, D.C. — The shape may have shifted from
pyramid to plate, but the message remains the same: dairy is an important part
of the daily diet, for adults and children alike.
For that reason,
the U.S. dairy industry praised the USDA’s new MyPlate education tool, which
provides a clear and visual message that a healthy diet is comprised of a
variety of nutrient-rich foods, including low-fat and fat-free milk, cheese and
yogurt.
For more on the
new MyPlate initiative, visit the USDA website.
America’s dairy farmers and processors commend
the USDA for including a light blue circle depicting a serving of “Dairy” –
milk, cheese or yogurt – next to the dinner plate to illustrate how to build a
healthy eating plan, including a serving of dairy at every meal.
“Knowing what we
do about dairy’s ability to reduce the risk of conditions like osteoporosis,
hypertension and type 2 diabetes, we think it’s exciting that dairy is
highlighted individually,” says Jean Ragalie, R.D., president of National Dairy
Council. “The location of dairy on the graphic really helps it stand out as an
essential part of a healthy eating plan.”
“Milk provides a
unique package of nine essential nutrients and dairy foods are a substantial
contributor of many nutrients that are important for good health,” says Vivien
Godfrey, CEO of the Milk Processor Education Program. “We are firm believers in
the importance of ‘pouring one more’ serving of dairy, and this tool will be a
fresh reminder to all Americans as they sit down at their tables with their
families.”
Dairy
contributes beyond the glass, as well. A serving of nutrient-rich, low-fat or
fat-free milk, cheese or yogurt has, on average, at least as much protein as an
egg. In fact, dairy foods contribute 18 percent of the protein to the American
diet. Simple steps, like adding lower fat cheese to a veggie sandwich or topping
a baked potato with fat-free plain yogurt can give any meal a nutrient boost.
“Dairy foods are
rightfully being recognized – from the school house to the White House – as an
important part of everyone’s diet,” says Jerry Kozak, president and CEO of the
National Milk Producers Federation. “USDA’s new MyPlate, the simple visual
metaphor of a serving of dairy products alongside a plate, says it’s vital to
consume three servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods every day.”
Americans
currently average about two daily servings of dairy foods, while the DGA
encourages three daily servings of low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products
for adults and children 9 years and older. This underscores the importance of a
direct, visual metaphor like the MyPlate tool in relaying this guidance to a
population being urged to get more nutrients per calorie at every meal.
“We’re delighted
that this new education tool makes it clear that milk and other dairy products
are important for a nutritious diet,” says Connie Tipton, president and CEO of
the International Dairy Foods Association. “It highlights how beneficial a
serving of dairy at every meal can be and helps to educate people about dairy’s
role on the table and in the American diet.”
The new MyPlate
will encourage a variety of dietary patterns that support a healthy lifestyle,
and it will make clear that dairy foods are a nutritional fit for most
everyone. Whether it’s flavored or lactose-free milk, Greek yogurt or frozen
yogurt, or one of the many reduced-fat cheese options available, the dairy
industry is committed to providing tasty, healthy and affordable options to
help Americans consume essential nutrients that can be hard to get from other
foods.
National Dairy
Council® (NDC) is the nutrition research, education and communications arm of
Dairy Management Inc™. On behalf of U.S. dairy farmers, NDC provides
science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of
stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier society, including health
professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry,
consumers and media. For more information, visit the NDC website.
The National
Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), based in Arlington, Virginia,
develops and carries out policies that advance the well-being of dairy
producers and the cooperatives they own. The members of NMPF’s 31 cooperatives
produce the majority of the U.S.
milk supply, making NMPF the voice of more than 40,000 dairy producers on
Capitol Hill and with government agencies. Visit the NMPF website for more information.
The
International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C.,
represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their
suppliers, with a membership of 550 companies representing a $110-billion a
year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk
Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the
International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA’s 220 dairy processing members
run more than 600 plant operations, and range from large multi-national
organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85
percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese and frozen desserts produced and
marketed in the United
States. For more information, visit the
IDFA’s website.
The Milk
Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington,
D.C., is funded by the nation’s
milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption. The
National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board, through MilkPEP, runs the
National Milk Mustache “Got Milk?”® Campaign, a multi-faceted campaign designed
to educate consumers about the health benefits of milk. For more information,
go to the MilkPEP website.
