Plenty of Room at the Table for Dairy

13/06/07 June is National Dairy Month and Dairy Council of California reminds consumers that pairing whole grains, fruits and vegetables with great-tasting dairy products like milk, yogurt and cheese is a delicious and practical way to meet the recommended daily servings of all food groups.

"A healthy diet means eating foods from all of the food groups -- whole grains, vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy, meats and beans -- because each food group provides its own unique package of nutrients," said Andrea Garen, M.A., R.D. with Dairy Council of California. "Dairy month is a great opportunity to spotlight the important role that products like milk, cheese and yogurt play in a balanced, nutrient-rich diet."

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the American diet does not include enough dairy products, fruits, vegetables or whole grains -- in other words, four of the five food groups. Therefore, most Americans are not getting enough calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium or vitamin E, known as "nutrients of concern." Milk and dairy products provide about two-thirds of the calcium available in the American diet and are good sources of potassium, so the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and USDA's MyPyramid recommends 2 to 3 cups of low-fat milk and dairy products per day. The guidelines also recommend 2 1/2 cups of vegetables, 2 cups of fruit and 6 ounces of grains daily.

"Because the guidelines list the food groups individually, I think consumers get the perception that they need to eat their servings individually, too. That could certainly be overwhelming," said Garen. "But by combining foods from different food groups into an entree or a snack and adding a glass of milk or piece of fruit, you make room at the table for all of the foods."

Dairy products pair well with several of the other food groups. Topping steamed vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower with a low-fat cheese sauce can make previously refused foods suddenly accepted. Using plain, fat-free yogurt instead of mayonnaise as a dip for vegetables and whole-grain crackers can also increase servings of three underconsumed food groups.