According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), who sets the DGA, current evidence shows that intake of milk and milk products is linked to improved bone health, especially in children and adolescents.
“The DGA emphasizes the importance of establishing good milk drinking habits at a young age, as those who consume milk at an early age are more likely to do so as adults,” said the USDA.
Benefits of dairy
The intake of dairy is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and lower blood pressure in adults, according to the USDA.
“Milk is the number one food source of three of the four nutrients the DGA identified as lacking in the American diet - calcium, vitamin D and potassium,” the USDA added.
However, the USDA said that most Americans fail to meet these recommendations, even though they have been previously established by the DGA and supported by independent health organizations.
The DGA is revised every five years in order to reflect changes in nutrition knowledge over time. The guidelines include a review of contemporary US intakes of various foods and nutrients which examines areas in which consumption may be inadequate or excessive.
Many of the 2010 recommendations remain the same as those detailed in the 2005. The advised daily intake of low-fat and fat-free dairy products for Americans adults and children aged nine and over rests at three a day, with two servings still advised for children aged between two and three.
Dairy products according to the DGA are defined as all milks, lactose-free and lactose-reduced products yogurts, frozen yogurts, dairy desserts, cheeses and fortified soy beverages. Cream, sour cream and cream cheese were not included as part of the dairy group due to their low calcium content.
Similar to the 2005 guidelines, this version states that one serving of dairy is equivalent to one cup of milk or yoghurt, one and one-half ounces of natural cheese and two ounces of processed cheese or one cup of fortified soy beverage.
Obesity focus
Changes to the 2010 version makes changes regarding strategies to tackle excess body weight.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said:”The bottom line is that most Americans need to trim our waistlines to reduce the risk of developing diet-related chronic disease.”
Revised recommendations include a maximum daily sodium intake of 1,500mg of sodium for groups that make up about half of the general population and most adults – specifically, those aged 51 and older, African Americans, and those who have hypertension, type-2 diabetes or chronic kidney disease.