Science Summary: Dairy in Healthy Eating Plans

Dairy foods, such as milk, yogurt and cheese, are foundational foods included in multiple healthy dietary patterns. These include the Healthy Eating Patterns in the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, as well as those recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) and guidelines from the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

Dairy foods help meet nutrient needs and are associated with better bone health, especially in children and adolescents. Healthy dietary patterns containing low-fat or fat-free dairy foods are also associated with lower risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Dairy foods can be affordable sources of key nutrients – including high-quality protein, calcium, potassium and vitamin D – and are available in a variety of options to help meet taste, health and wellness needs.

By choosing the DGA-recommended daily servings of dairy foods as part of a healthy dietary pattern, Americans ages 6 months and above can enjoy the many benefits dairy foods provide. You can download our full report, “Science Summary: Dairy in Healthy Eating Plans,” to learn more.