Health professionals can update their personal knowledge of dairy nutrients with these science-based nutrition resources and can also download teaching tools to inform their patients and clients about the many health benefits of dairy foods.

Tips and Tools: Lactose Intolerance

Some of the most common questions involve confusion surrounding lactose intolerance, and how to ensure patients and clients can enjoy the delicious taste and nutrition benefits from the recommended three servings of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods every day.

It’s important to remember that many people with lactose intolerance may be open to dairy solutions as long as they can avoid the discomfort associated with consuming them. Some easy-to-remember strategies for incorporating low-fat and fat-free dairy foods into the diets of those who are lactose intolerant are:

Try It. Try lactose-free milk and milk products. They are real milk products, just without the lactose, and provide the same great nutrients as regular dairy products.
Sip It. Start with a small amount of milk daily and increase slowly over several days or weeks to increase tolerance.
Stir It. Mix milk with other foods, such as smoothies, soups or sauces – or pair it with meals. This helps give your body more time to digest it.
Slice It. Top sandwiches or crackers with natural cheeses such as Cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, mozzarella and Swiss. These cheeses are low in lactose.
Shred It. Shred your favorite natural cheese onto soups, pastas and salads. It’s an easy way to incorporate a serving of dairy that is low in lactose.
Spoon It. Enjoy easy-to-digest yogurt. The live and active cultures in yogurt help to digest lactose.

New Dairy Council Digest: Worth Its Salt

Sodium continues to be an increasingly relevant topic in health and nutrition discussions, with restaurants and food manufacturers examining their products’ sodium content. Also, an Institute of Medicine committee recently released a report on strategies to reduce Americans’ intake of the mineral. For a balanced, science-based perspective on this topic, access the latest issue of National Dairy Council’s Dairy Council Digest, which explores dietary sodium intake and its effect on health. This edition reviews dietary recommendations, consumption levels and dietary sources of sodium; issues and challenges related to public health policies focusing on sodium restriction; and evidence that a total diet and lifestyle approach is the most effective approach to reduce the risk of hypertension.

Stay tuned to NationalDairyCouncil.org for the July/August Dairy Council Digest, which will provide a comprehensive summary and analysis of the latest news and research on lactose intolerance, as well as solutions to help patients and clients with lactose intolerance incorporate three daily servings of dairy foods into their diets, as recommended by the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for individuals aged 9 years and older.

Milk is Vitamin D-licious!

Vitamin D deficiency continues to be an issue of concern for many of today’s children. So much so the American Academy of Pediatrics recently doubled its recommendation for infants, children and adolescents to 400 International Units (IU) per day. Learn more about “liquid sunshine” and download a reproducible parent handout.

New Studies Reinforce Importance Of Diet Choices In Tackling Childhood Obesity

Fuel Up to Play 60 program acts on science to give students the tools to eat healthier and get active
Two new studies show how important forming healthy food and beverage habits can be in children and adolescents. This science adds to a growing body of evidence that has helped shape a new nutrition and physical activity program from the National Football League and National Dairy Council (NDC) called Fuel Up to Play 60.

Lactose Intolerance Nutrition Solutions

Whether you’re talking about a cold glass of milk, creamy yogurt, or flavorful cheese, dairy foods taste great and offer a powerful nutritional punch. And those with lactose intolerance don’t have to miss out on the enjoyment or health benefits of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods. Check out new lactose intolerance presentations, supporting science and fact sheets courtesy of National Dairy Council.

NFL Team Dietitians to Speak on Fuel Up to Play 60 at 2010 State Dietetic Meetings

National Football League team registered dietitians unveiled the new children’s wellness program, Fuel Up to Play 60, to registered dietitians at local dietetic meetings. Attendees heard about the current child nutrition environment followed by the introduction of the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. Acknowledging support from several health and nutrition organizations, including the American Dietetic Association, the NFL registered dietitians issued a call-to-action for all dietitians to lead the charge promoting the program to kids and schools in their communities. At each meeting, Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association exhibited, providing supporting materials and initiating one-on-one discussion with dietetic attendees.

In conjunction with the March 16 Newsweek Executive Forum, “Childhood Obesity: Challenges and Ways to Promote Health and Wellness in America’s Communities,” the following advertorial was published in the March 22, 2010 issue of Newsweek. For more information, visit www.FuelUpToPlay60.com.

Nutrition News

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