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Dairy Spot: The Mid-Atlantic Spot for Dairy

Ask the Dietitian Archives:

  • December 2009:
    Should I eliminate saturated fats from my diet?
  • November 2009:
    What's a good way to gain weight if you're underweight? Should I switch from lowfat dairy to whole milk products?
  • October 2009:
    Recently the American Heart Association stated that Americans are eating too much sugar and recommended that people cut down. Does that include dairy products, too?
  • September 2009:
    How can I, as a parent, be involved in this movement to help kids in her school eat better?
  • August 2009:
    Is frozen yogurt healthier than ice cream?
  • July 2009:
    What are sterols and what do they do?
  • June 2009:
    Is it safe to feed your family raw milk?
  • May 2009:
    What is the dairy industry doing to help support Mrs. Obama’s agenda for a more nutritious and sustainable food supply?
  • April 2009:
    Can eating at home also contribute to weight gain?
  • March 2009:
    Are natural trans-fats as unhealthy as man-made trans-fats?
  • Febraury 2009:
    Contaminated milk and milk formulas
  • January 2009:
    Is Greek yogurt nutritionally different from regular yogurt?
  • December 2008:
    Kids and vitamin D
  • November 2008:
    Where can I find kid-friendly, healthy snacks in my rush between work and sports practice?
  • October 2008:
    What does the Daily Value represent on my yogurt’s nutrition label?
  • September 2008:
    Isn’t diet and exercise the best way to promote heart health?
  • August 2008:
    Healthy choices from fast-food menus?
  • July 2008:
    Body detoxification
  • June 2008:
    Is it possible to eat well without breaking the bank?
  • May 2008:
    "Downed" cows
  • April 2008:
    Are there healthier espresso options?
  • March 2008:
    “Deceptively Delicious”
  • February 2008:
    What does "nutrient-rich" mean?
  • January 2008:
    Raw milk vs. pasteurized milk
  • December 2007:
    The dairy industry’s involvement in eating “local”
  • November 2007:
    E. coli and dairy foods
  • October 2007:
    School lunches vs. packed lunches
  • September 2007:
    Fat-free half-and-half
  • August 2007:
    Milk’s impact on teeth
  • July 2007:
    Dealing with lactose intolerance
  • June 2007:
    The relationship between calcium and heart disease
  • May 2007:
    Mothers’ influences on daughter’s eating habits
  • April 2007:
    “Extreme eating” at restaurants
  • March 2007:
    The validity of industry-sponsored dairy studies
  • February 2007:
    What is cloned milk and is it safe?
  • January 2007:
    Cholesterol guidelines for children



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    Frequently Asked Questions

    By Althea Zanecosky, MS, RD, LDN
    Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association





    November 2007


    Q: I was recently instructed by my physician to limit my sodium intake. Are there cheeses that are low in sodium for persons with hypertension (high blood pressure) and/or heart disease?

    A: According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 25 million Americans have heart disease and about 30 percent of America’s population is hypertensive.  Many of these individuals are sodium sensitive, and reducing sodium may help lower their blood pressure and help with fluid balance.  While the National Academy of Sciences’ current upper level of sodium for healthy Americans is set at 2,300 milligrams per day, your health care provider has most likely instructed you to take in a much lower amount.  

    Making a substantial shift downward in sodium intake can be challenging as many foods in the supermarket contain very high amounts.  Even healthy foods, like whole grain cereals and breads, can contain up to 500 milligrams of sodium per serving. Fortunately, many food manufacturers are offering reduced-sodium items; read package nutrition labels to compare regular and low-sodium foods.

    There are many lowfat cheeses available, and low-sodium varieties are now arriving in the dairy and deli case.  Since Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association does not represent or endorse any specific brands of dairy (including cheese), we suggest you visit the following company Web sites for information on their low sodium cheeses:

    Heluva Good

    Cabot

    Boar’s Head

    Another useful Web site for low-salt dairy is LowSaltFoods.com.

    There’s also another nutrition approach that has helped many people with high blood pressure called the DASH diet – Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. 

    This eating plan, supported by the National Institutes of Health, recommends plenty of fruits, vegetables and lowfat dairy.  These foods contain three minerals — calcium (from dairy foods and some vegetables), potassium (from dairy, fruits and vegetables) and magnesium (from fruits and vegetables) — that have been found to work together to lower blood pressure.  A registered dietitian can help you set up this eating plan (your doctor may be able to refer you to one).  Learn more about the DASH diet.