Want to know more about 3-A-Day? You came to the right place.
3-A-Day of Dairy Campaign
3-A-Day and Osteoporosis
Healthy Weight with Dairy
Benefits of Dairy
Health Professional Support
3-A-Day of Dairy Campaign
Q: Why do moms need to know about 3-A-Day of Dairy?
A: Moms are the caregivers in most homes so they often make the menu-planning decisions, do the shopping and serve the family meals. Moms also need to get the recommended amount of dairy foods daily that provide calcium and eight other essential nutrients dairy provides to help keep their own bones strong and bodies fit. Research indicates that when moms drink milk regularly, their daughters do too; in other words, modeling healthful behavior really does work.
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Q: Why should my family eat 3-A-Day of Dairy?
A: Research shows that on average, Americans are eating only half the recommended 3 servings of dairy each day - that means we come up short on the recommended amounts of calcium and other essential nutrients dairy naturally provides to help keep bones strong and bodies fit. Encourage your family to eat 3-A-Day of Dairy - three servings of milk, cheese or yogurt is a deliciously easy way to help build stronger bones and healthy bodies. In addition to calcium, dairy provides potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins D, A and B12, riboflavin and niacin (niacin equivalents).
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Q: Who manages and supports the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign?
A: The 3-A-Day of Dairy nutrition-based marketing and consumer education campaign is managed by The American Dairy Association/National Dairy Council, with the monetary support of the dairy industry and the professional support of the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association and the National Medical Association.
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Q: Is the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign related to the 5 A Day campaign about eating more fruits and vegetables?
A: The two campaigns are not directly related, though like the 5 A Day campaign, the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign is intended to make a positive impact on Americans' health by helping them follow the government's recommendation found in the Food Guide Pyramid. The USDA's newly revised Dietary Guidelines and MyPyramid recommend that Americans include 3 servings of dairy in their diets each day to ensure adequate consumption of important nutrients.
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Q: Where can I find more information on 3-A-Day of Dairy?
A: For more great information and tips on getting 3-A-Day of Dairy, sign up to receive the 3-A-Day of Dairy e-newsletter, Get 3!, filled with valuable solutions for moms and subscribers-only freebies.
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3-A-Day and Osteoporosis
Q: What is the National Dairy Council’s new bone health campaign?
A: The National Dairy Council, along with four leading health professional organizations: the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dietetic Association, and the National Medical Association, has announced a national education campaign to promote the important role low-fat and fat-free dairy foods play in bone health throughout life and to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life.
The goal of the campaign is to encourage families to reduce their risk of osteoporosis by eating a healthy diet. This includes the recommended three daily servings of nutrient-rich low-fat or fat-free dairy foods like milk, cheese or yogurt. The campaign also urges families to participate in weight-bearing and cardiovascular exercises and encourages parents to be role models for children.
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Q: Why is the National Dairy Council launching this new bone health campaign?
A: Osteoporosis is a major health threat for Americans today. The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2004 Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis states that by 2020, half of all Americans older than 50 will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis and low bone mass. The good news is that Americans of all ages can take simple steps now to help build and maintain strong bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life.
Here are three simple steps the entire family can take to help build strong bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis:
- Eat a nutrient-rich diet that includes the recommended three servings of low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt or reduced-fat cheese each day.
- Be active – participate in weight-bearing activities.
- If you’re a parent, act as a role model. Children will follow your lead.
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Q: Is the campaign supported by sound science?
A: Absolutely. The positive link between calcium and vitamin D in dairy foods and bone health has been established for decades through dozens of clinical studies. Yet it’s important to realize that reducing the risk of osteoporosis isn’t just about calcium. Dairy provides a unique package of bone-building nutrients not found in most other foods, including calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and protein, that are essential and work together to help build and maintain healthy bones.
Science-based reports and guidelines that recommend consumption of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods to improve bone health include the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the MyPyramid food guidance system, 2004 U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis, the American Academy of Pediatrics report, “Optimizing Bone Health and Calcium Intakes of Infants, Children, and Adolescents,” and the “Consensus Report of the National Medical Association: The Role of Dairy and Dairy Nutrients in the Diet of African Americans.”
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Q: What role does dairy play in bone health?
A: Dairy foods contain several essential nutrients that work together to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, protein, and vitamin D. By enjoying three servings of low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt or reduced-fat cheese every day as part of an overall healthy diet, families, especially children and adolescents in their peak bone-building years, can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life.
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Q: Isn’t osteoporosis a disease that only affects older people?
A: Osteoporosis is a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences. In other words, strong bones built during childhood and adolescence can help lower risk of osteoporosis. While this painful disease is most prevalent after the age of 50, there are preventive measures that can be taken earlier in life to stop its progression: develop healthy eating and exercise habits, including getting three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy foods each day.
Healthcare professionals are seeing more bone fractures among children. A growing body of research demonstrates that low bone mass is contributing to fractures in children. One study shows that just as many forearm fractures occur among 13-year-old girls as among women ages 60 and older, due to low bone mass.
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Healthy Weight with Dairy
Q: Should I still consume dairy if I'm concerned about maintaining a healthy weight?
A: The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends three cups of low-fat or fat-free milk or milk products every day as part of a healthy diet.
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Q: What do studies show about dairy's role in a healthy lifestyle?
A: Studies show dairy foods, when consumed as part of a healthy diet, improve overall diet quality and may help reduce the risk of obesity, osteoporosis, hypertension, kidney stones and colon cancer. Enjoying three cups of milk or milk products every day as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines as part of a healthy diet improves the overall nutritional quality of the diet, whether you are dieting or not.
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Benefits of Dairy
Q: What are the benefits of eating 3-A-Day of Dairy?
A: Three servings of dairy provide a powerful package of nine essential nutrients including calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins D, A, B12, riboflavin and niacin (niacin equivalents) to help keep bones strong and bodies fit. Eating 3-A-Day of Dairy - three servings of milk, cheese or yogurt — is a deliciously easy way to help build stronger bones and healthy bodies.
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends three cups of low-fat or fat-free milk or milk products every day as part of a healthy diet. The Guidelines also state that adults and children should not avoid milk and milk products because of concerns about weight gain. Nutrient-rich dairy foods are a core part of a healthy diet and lifestyle.
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Q: Why is dairy so important?
A: Dairy helps build strong bones, muscles and teeth. Research indicates that enjoying 3-A-Day of Dairy — 3 servings of milk, cheese or yogurt each day — as part of a reduced-calorie weight loss plan can help adults achieve better results, when it comes to trimming the waistline, than just cutting calories and consuming little or no dairy. Dairy can also reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Be sure to check out our Calcium Information Sheets for more information on the benefits of 3-A-Day of Dairy.
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Q: By how much do we currently fall short on calcium?
A: According to the USDA, all age groups fall short, but women and older people have the most trouble getting the calcium they need.
- About 30% of kids ages 1-5 don't get the recommended amount of calcium in their diets.
- Of preteens (ages 6-11), 70% of girls and 60% of boys do not meet current calcium recommendations.
- Nearly nine out of 10 teenage girls and seven out of 10 teenage boys (ages 12-19) don't meet daily calcium recommendations.
- Seven out of 10 men and nine out of 10 women (ages 20 and up) fail to meet calcium recommendations.
- Among people 50 and older, less than 15% get the daily calcium recommended.
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Q: How many daily servings of dairy foods do health experts recommend?
A: The USDA recommends 3 servings of dairy foods daily and research shows that on average, Americans are eating only half of that. Eating 3-A-Day of Dairy is a deliciously easy way to help build stronger bones and healthy bodies. Low-fat and fat-free varieties of milk, cheese and yogurt are available and provide the same nutrients as their regular counterparts. A dairy serving is:
- Milk: 8 ounces (1 cup)
- Natural Cheese: 1 - 1.5 ounces or about 3-4 cheese cubes
- Yogurt: one 6-8 ounce container
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Q: How many milligrams of calcium daily do health experts recommend?
A: The National Academy of Sciences recommends Americans consume between 500-1,300 mg of calcium daily depending on age. Eating 3-A-Day of milk, cheese or yogurt can help meet these recommendations. Teens and people over 50 can actually benefit by eating 3-A-Day of Dairy plus one serving of dairy:
| 1-3 years |
500 |
| 4-8 years |
800 |
| 9-18 years |
1,300 |
| 19-50 years |
1,000 |
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Q: My kids will only drink chocolate milk. I'm worried about their teeth and the extra calories. How can I get them to drink unflavored milk?
A: Not only does chocolate milk provide a taste that kids love, it is also good for them. Chocolate milk contains all the same nutrients as white milk. Research shows that kids who drink flavored milk also drink more milk overall and get more calcium. In addition, new fun flavors, low-fat varieties and grab-n-go containers make milk delicious, nutritious and ready-to-go.
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Q: Being a working parent is difficult enough - how can I get my picky eaters to eat a calcium-rich diet when I have little time to plan meals in advance?
A: There are a variety of dairy choices for everyone, from fat-free to flavored, and all kinds of new and convenient packaging. Single-serve containers of flavored milks, portable yogurts and cheese sticks, shreds and cubes make it easy to incorporate 3-A-Day of Dairy into your family's eating plan.
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Q: What if someone in my family is lactose intolerant - that means they can't eat dairy products, right?
A: Lactose intolerance does not mean dairy avoidance. In fact, research has identified simple strategies to make dairy easier to digest - such as drinking lactose-reduced or lactose-free milk, eating yogurt, or consuming hard cheeses such as Cheddar and Swiss that are naturally low in lactose.
Many who experience symptoms of lactose intolerance have also found the following tips help them enjoy dairy foods:
- Start with small portions and gradually work up.
- Drink milk with meals or a snack, instead of on an empty stomach.
- Try lactose-reduced or lactose-free milk.
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Q: Why do health experts recommend eating dairy foods for calcium - don't a lot of other foods, such as green leafy vegetables and fortified orange juice contain calcium, too?
A: Milk, cheese and yogurt are nutrient-rich so it's difficult to meet dietary calcium recommendations without eating them. Few non-dairy foods contain as much naturally occurring calcium and essential nutrients as dairy does. Dairy is an excellent source of calcium, and contains eight other essential nutrients including potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins D, A and B12, riboflavin and niacin (niacin equivalents) that help keep bones strong and bodies fit. While calcium-fortified beverages provide an alternative source of calcium, they do not have the same nutritional package as milk, cheese and yogurt.
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Q: What about dietary supplements - can't my family just get their daily calcium from those?
A: Supplements are supplements, not substitutes for food. A calcium pill shouldn't take the place of calcium in food. Milk, cheese, and yogurt are excellent sources of calcium and together provide eight essential nutrients including potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin and niacin (niacin equivalents).
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Q: Is organic milk better for you than regular milk?
A: It's great to have choices in the marketplace, but according to the USDA, organic food is not safer or more nutritious than conventionally produced food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees national standards that food labeled "organic" must meet. Organic food differs from conventionally produced food in the way it is grown, handled, and processed.
For more information on organic foods, refer to the Organic Milk FAQ, the USDA's Certified Organic Program or American Council on Science and Health.
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Health Professional Support
Q: Why is the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) participating in the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign?
A: The AAFP is participating in the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign to help improve the health and nutrition of the American public. The AAFP is working closely with the NDC to develop and deliver educational materials to members and patients about the importance of milk, cheese and yogurt in the diet. The 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign can help parents establish positive eating behaviors, including the unique nutrient package found in dairy products, as they act as role models for the entire family.
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Q: Why is the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) participating in the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign?
A: The AAP is participating in the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign to help improve the health and nutrition of children, adolescents and young adults. The AAP is working closely with the NDC to develop and deliver educational materials about establishing positive eating behaviors and the importance of calcium in children's diets. Along with physical activity, the nutrient package dairy provides can help children build stronger bones.
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Q: Why is the American Dietetic Association (ADA) participating in the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign?
A: The American Dietetic Association supports the 3-A-Day of Dairy for Stronger Bones campaign and believes the campaign can help Americans establish positive eating behaviors. The American Dietetic Association believes eating three servings of low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese, or yogurt, is an easy way for Americans to get the recommended amounts of calcium and other essential nutrients they need. The American Dietetic Association wants people also to be aware of non-dairy sources of calcium, including broccoli and fortified beverages, even though they may not be as efficient a source as dairy products.
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Q: Why is the National Medical Association (NMA) participating in the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign?
A: The NMA is participating in the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign to help improve the health and nutrition of Americans of African descent. The NMA is working closely with the National Dairy Council to develop and deliver educational materials on positive eating behaviors and the importance of dairy to improve bone health, achieve healthy weight and reduce the risk for hypertension.
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Q. Why is the School Nutrition Association (SNA) participating in the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign?
A: The SNA is participating in the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign to help improve the health and nutrition of the nation’s children through a nutrition education campaign that reinforces the benefits for children over age 8 of three daily servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy, as recommended in the 2005 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This partnership will help educate parents, teachers and children about the importance of good nutrition.
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Q. Why is the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) participating in the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign?
The NHMA is participating in the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign to help improve the health and nutrition of the nation’s Hispanic population through an education campaign that reinforces the nutrient package of low-fat and fat-free dairy products. The participation in the partnership complements an industry-wide effort to better understand the needs of U.S. Hispanics and explore opportunities to bring culturally relevant dairy products to market, a key to ensuring that Hispanics have access to the dairy products they want so that they can meet their three daily servings of dairy.
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