The dairy group includes milk, yogurt, cheese, lactose-free milk, and fortified soy milk and yogurt. It does not include cream cheese, cream, or butter. These foods are high in fat and low in calcium.

Health benefits from the dairy group include: 

• They provide plenty of calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and protein. 
• They make bones and teeth healthier especially in children and teens while their bones and teeth are being built.
• They keep bones healthy in adults. 
• They help to prevent osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones). 

Thinking about dairy alternatives? Fortified soy milk and yogurt are good options. They have calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D added. Their nutrition content is similar to dairy milk and yogurt.

Other plant “milks” like almond, rice, coconut, oats, and hemp may contain calcium. But their nutrition content is not similar to dairy milk or fortified soy milk. They are not included in this group.

lesson Recommendation

Our Build Strong Kids With Dairy Foods lesson has even more ideas for you. Check it out!