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Dairy Spot: The Mid-Atlantic Spot for Dairy

Ask the Dietitian Archives:

  • April 2010
    How can I tell if my cheese is vegetarian?
  • March 2010:
    Can dairy foods can cause or aggravate autism in children?
  • February 2010:
    Do sugary drinks like chocolate milk really fuel weight gain?
  • January 2010:
    Are there any foods that can help me get rid of a puffy midsection
  • 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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    Ask the Dietitian

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





    October 2009


    Q: 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?

    A: Two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, and health experts think eating too much sugar is part of the problem. Research shows the average American currently consumes about 22 teaspoons each day.

    In response, the American Heart Association (AHA) issued new guidelines not trying to vilify sugar but to help make reasonable recommendations around the amount of sugar in a diet. These guidelines enable people to achieve or maintain a healthy weight. The organization's statement acknowledges that the science directly linking added sugar consumption to obesity is inconsistent and other factors such as genetics, physical activity and diet also influence a person’s weight.

    AHA has always encouraged consumers to moderate sugar consumption, but the new statement is the first time it has suggested specific limits. Their scientific statement said most women should limit their sugar intake to 100 calories (or about six teaspoons) a day. For men, the recommendation is 150 calories (or nine teaspoons) daily. The heart group didn't recommend general limits for added sugar for children.

    The recommendations apply only to what are known as added sugars—those that are added to foods during manufacturing or by consumers. They don't include sugar that occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables and dairy foods. The natural sugar in foods that come from milk is called lactose.

    According to the AHA, here are the leading problem foods:

    With about eight teaspoons of added sugar, a regular 12-ounce soft drink will put most women over the recommended daily limit.

    Trying to figure out your daily sugar intake can be difficult as the government doesn't require labels to differentiate added sugars from naturally occurring sugars. The major sources of added sugar, like regular soft drinks and sweets, are pretty obvious. For more information, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has a database for the added sugar in some foods.

    The AHA recommends a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, high-fiber whole grains, lean meat, poultry and fish. In addition to consuming an overall healthy diet, AHA encourages all people to aim for a healthy body weight.

    Additional Information from the American Heart Association