Nutritional impact of adding one serving of dairy foods to the U.S. diet

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines recommends three cup equivalents (CEQ) of low‐fat or fat‐free milk or milk products (MMP) for those 9+ yrs. Current intake of MMP is 1.8 CEQ/day (2+ yrs). Changes in energy and nutrient intakes were modeled if 25, 50 or 100% of the population increased MMP just one CEQ/day using NHANES, 2003–2006, data for subjects 2+ yrs (n=16,882) with reliable 24‐hr recall records on Day 1. A consumption weighted composite of currently consumed MMP was used. If 100% of the population increased MMP one CEQ/day, increases in average intakes/day would be 143 kcal, 9.2 g protein, 6.8 g total fat, 4.2 g saturated fat; 116 μg retinol activity equivalents, 0.4 mg, 1.0 μg and 2.2 μg for vitamins A, B 2 , B 12 , D, respectively; and 301, 244, 24, 1.2, 212 and 297 mg for calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium, zinc, sodium (Na) and potassium, respectively (p<0.05). If 25% the population increased MMP one CEQ/day vitamin D, Ca and P would increase significantly, while if 50% the population increased MMP one CEQ/day all variables, except Na would increase significantly (p<0.05). If low‐fat/fat‐free options were selected as recommended, rather than MMP as currently consumed, energy would only increase 81 kcal and saturated fat 0.9 g. These data show increasing MMP one CEQ/day, approximating recommendations, significantly increases intake of key nutrients in the U.S. diet and that lower fat forms are preferred to typical choices. (Supported by the National Dairy Council/Dairy Research Institute)