As we wrap up March as National Nutrition Month, the revision of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is on the horizon and the Dairy Checkoff is already working to insure that dairy foods are fairly represented, based on the nutrient value they deliver. The dietary guidelines for Americans recommend choosing nutrient-dense foods, including dairy.  But, there’s some confusion about what that really means.  Registered dietitian Ann Marie Krautheim of the Dairy Checkoff program, says helping people make healthy food choices is their aim. “Many people are defining nutrient density based on what that food doesn’t have, and not looking really at the total nutrient package that food delivers.  So, the Coalition’s goal is to work with the scientists, experts in the field to develop a validated, scientifically sound approach that looks at the total nutrient package.”

 Focusing on nutrient-rich foods that provide the most nutrients per calorie and that provide a solid foundation, such as low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, is recommended.

 “The science solidly supports the need for three to four servings of dairy in the diet.  The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee that’s comprised of the food and nutrition experts in the U.S. will be looking towards published, peer-reviewed research to  develop their recommendations going into 2010.  And the science behind dairy’s role in the diet, whether it’s for strong bones, helping reduce the risk for obesity, helping to reduce the risk for hypertension, helping to prevent certain forms of cancers - is very solid.”