Dietary Guidelines for Americans gives dairy the tick of approval

While it may be fashionable with some to dismiss dairy, some of America’s best nutritionists have confirmed it’s beneficial to have some milk, yoghurt and cheese in our diets.

Dairy Australia has welcomed the updated US dietary guidelines. PICTURE: ZOE PHILLIPS

NEW American dietary guidelines have confirmed the key role of dairy in human health, Australian farm leaders say.

The newly-released 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) maintained dairy as an individual food group and the recommendation for three daily servings.

Dairy Connect chief executive Shaughn Morgan said the American regulatory move reaffirmed the scientific benefits of dairy consumption.

“Historically the DGA has included guidance for healthy individuals aged two years and older,” he said.

“Now for the first time, the DGA provides recommendations for pregnancy and lactation and from birth to 23 months – and dairy plays a role in these life stages, too.”

Dairy Australia nutrition policy manager Melissa Cameron said most plant-based alternatives were excluded, other than fortified plant-based soy alternatives, under the newly-released guidelines.

“This is a positive step given many plant-based alternatives do not contain the same unique package of nutrients as milk, cheese and yoghurt,” she said.

“The revised recommendations from the US DGA are not too dissimilar from the current Australian Dietary Guidelines which also recognise the inherent nutritional qualities and health benefits of dairy.”

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