Your Guide to 5 Tough Questions on Milk and Dairy Foods

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Are patients coming to you with questions about how real dairy impacts health? Interest in dairy and health in general is increasing, and misinformation on milk and other dairy foods remains widespread. As dairy has an important role in a healthy eating plan across all phases of life, from pregnancy through adulthood, it is critical to set the record straight.

The American Academy of Physician Associates partnered with Real California Milk and Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN, of Exam Room Nutrition, to help you answer tough questions from patients with the latest scientific evidence on dairy.

Question 1: I have a sensitivity to lactose and my other family member is lactose intolerant. We can’t have milk or real dairy foods, right?

Answer:¹ Rather than avoiding dairy altogether, people with lactose intolerance or sensitivity can try real dairy products that are low-lactose or have no-lactose, such as lactose-free milk, some natural hard cheeses, and yogurts with live and active cultures. Introducing dairy slowly into the diet and gradually increasing the amount over time may help the body begin to tolerate it little by little.

Question 2: My teenager doesn’t need real milk or other dairy foods, right?

Answer:² Establishing healthy eating patterns early can positively impact lifelong health, including during teenage years. In fact, there are more bone-beneficial nutrients per calorie within dairy foods than any other food group, critical for this age group.

According to Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN, of Exam Room Nutrition:

• “As a pediatric PA and registered dietitian, I’ve seen the critical role real dairy milk plays at every life stage. From infancy to adulthood, dairy delivers essential nutrients like high-quality protein, calcium, vitamin D, and potassium. For infants and children, dairy supports bone growth and development. During adolescence, it helps achieve peak bone mass, crucial for long-term health. In adulthood, dairy supports muscle function and bone health.”
• “The ‘Growing Family’ toolkit² by the California Milk Advisory Board is an invaluable resource for healthcare providers to dispel dairy myths. It provides up-to-date research, practical tips, and clear information that enhances our patient interactions. In my practice, I use the toolkit to explain age-appropriate portion sizes and address lactose intolerance concerns. This toolkit empowers healthcare professionals to advocate for optimal nutrition through real dairy milk, supporting us in delivering evidence-based dietary recommendations confidently.”

Question 3: Are plant-based beverages more nutritious than real dairy?

Answer:³ The 13 essential nutrients from real milk are difficult to replace with plant-based beverages that often contain lesser amounts of essential nutrients—even with many added ingredients.

Question 4: Should I continue to have real milk or other dairy foods while pregnant?

Answer:⁴ Among other factors, real dairy foods provide high-quality protein and key nutrients like choline, iodine, calcium, zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 that support a healthy pregnancy and baby’s development. Helping patients to optimize diet quality during pregnancy and early childhood can not only support the developing microbiome, but also support lifelong health.

Question 5: Should I avoid real dairy if I exercise? I heard it lowers immune function and causes inflammation.

Answer:⁵ Athletes and recreationally active fitness enthusiasts may face unique challenges to maintaining normal immune health. Both low- and whole-fat fairy products can be part of their plate because real dairy provides nutrients involved in immune function, such as zinc or probiotics. Also, in studies, eating the recommended amount of dairy foods daily is linked with lower chronic low-grade inflammation.

Your guide to tough questions about milk and other dairy foods is available as a printable handout only on the Real California Milk Health & Wellness Professionals Hub at www.RealCaliforniaMilk.com. Scan the QR code below with a phone or tablet to get started.

Colleen Sloan, PA-C, RDN, of Exam Room Nutrition, finds the Real California Milk Health & Wellness Professionals Hub to be an indispensable resource for her professional practice:

• “This hub offers a wealth of evidence-backed materials and the latest scientific research, making it a trusted source for medical providers. The resources provided are incredibly beneficial for patient education and clinical practice. For instance, the comprehensive guides on the nutritional benefits of dairy help clarify common misconceptions and provide clear, factual information that I can share with both patients and their families.”
• “The hub has toolkits that include practical tips for incorporating dairy into diets across the lifespan, including age-appropriate portion sizes, which is especially useful for managing picky eaters and ensuring adequate nutrient intake. I have used several of these resources in my practice, such as the Athlete’s Guide to Eating to Compete with Dairy and found them to be highly effective and well-received by patients.”
• “The Real California Milk’s Health & Wellness Professionals Hub is an essential tool for healthcare providers. It supports us in delivering evidence-based dietary recommendations and fosters healthier communities through informed, trusted guidance.”

Check out the Real California Milk Health Professionals Hub for a curated page of studies, resources, recipes and other tips that help to help you work with patients who could use direction about meeting their wellness goals with real dairy.

About Real California Milk
Real California Milk believes in real food made by real farm families focused on sustainable production and nourishing people at home and around the world with wholesome milk that is the base of favorite dairy foods.

References:

1. Can I still have dairy? 7 things to know if you think you are lactose intolerant. Real California Milk website. https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.realcaliforniamilk.com/media/bountiful-benefits/can-i-still-have-dairy-7-things-to-know.pdf. Accessed June 24, 2024.
2. Dairy foods for your growing family. Real California Milk website. https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.realcaliforniamilk.com/media/bountiful-benefits/2021_CMAB_PA_GrowingFamily.pdf. Accessed June 24, 2024.
3. Beverage comparison: What’s in your glass? California Dairy Press Room website. https://www.californiadairypressroom.com/Press_Kit/Nutrient-Comparison-Milk-Alternate-Beverages. Accessed June 24, 2024.
4. The benefits of dairy in pregnancy & early childhood. Real California Milk website. https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.realcaliforniamilk.com/media/partnership/booklet-benefits-of-dairy-pregnancy-early-childhood.pdf. Accessed June 24, 2024.
5. Dairy for athletic performance and recovery. Real California Milk website. https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.realcaliforniamilk.com/media/bountiful-benefits/Athletic_Performance_Recovery.pdf. Accessed June 24, 2024.