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Dairy milk is an important part of a healthy diet for everyone.

The current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans states, “Healthy dietary patterns feature dairy, including fat-free and low-fat (1%) milk, yogurt, and cheese.” Because approximately 90% of the American population consumes less dairy than recommended, “most individuals would benefit by increasing intake of dairy in fat-free or low-fat forms, whether from milk (including lactose-free milk), yogurt, and cheese.” [12]

The guidelines also state that water, 100% juice, and milk are the primary beverages people should consume for the best consideration of calorie and nutrient intake. [12]

One serving (equal to one cup) of dairy milk contains significant amounts of 13 essential nutrients: 25% daily value (DV) for calcium, 16% DV for protein, 15% DV for vitamin D, 20% DV for phosphorus, 15% DV for vitamin A, 30% DV for riboflavin, 50% DV for vitamin B12, 20% DV for pantothenic acid, 15% DV for niacin, 10% DV for zinc, 10% DV for selenium, 60% DV for iodine, and 10% DV for potassium. [13] [14]

The USDA recommends 3 cups of dairy daily for everyone older than nine. Toddlers (12 to 23 months) should consume 1 ⅔ to 2 cups of milk daily; two- to three-year-olds, 2 to 2 ½ cups; and four- to eight-year olds, 2 ½ cups. [13] [14]

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