In March we celebrate National Nutrition Month, and what better time to take a closer look at the newly released 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs)? Every 5 years, the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture roll out recommendations that outline how Americans should eat. These guidelines help promote health and wellness among the U.S. population, as well as provide guidance to federal feeding programs.

With each new version of the DGAs, dairy has maintained a place as its own food group, given the unparalleled nutrient benefits it provides. The latest edition focuses on nutrition through each life stage, and lists guidelines for children birth to 23 months, as well as for pregnant and lactating mothers. The recognition that these groups have special nutrient needs provides additional evidence that dairy fits into eating patterns across all life stages.

Being a new parent can come with worry and concern about making the best choices for your child’s wellbeing, including what foods to offer and when. Before the latest release, the guidelines did not provide specific recommendations for birth-23 months of age. The addition offers guidance to parents and caregivers that is backed by science. Beginning at 6 months of age, dairy has a place at the table. Incorporating yogurt and cheese during this critical time helps provide a variety of nutrients, flavors, and textures to support physical development and healthy eating behaviors. At this age, children eat small quantities, so make every bite count!

Starting at 1 year of age, whole milk joins cheese and yogurt as recommended foods to offer toddlers. During this time of rapid growth and development, offering concentrated sources of calories and nutrients is important. The fat in whole milk helps support brain development, while the 9 essential nutrients and calories help foster child health and growth. Childhood is a critical window to develop taste preferences, establish healthy habits, and reduce the risk of nutrition-related diseases. Regularly including milk, cheese, and yogurt can help promote a lifetime of healthy habits.

Pregnancy and lactation is another life stage added to the DGAs. Increasing calories and nutrients during this time helps to support the growth and development of the infant and maintain the mother’s health.  Following a healthy eating pattern during pregnancy and lactation can impact the health of mother and child later in life. Two nutrients especially important during this stage are choline and iodine. The dairy food group is particularly important during pregnancy and lactation because dairy contains choline and iodine to support the health of mom and baby.

No matter what stage of life you are in, dairy foods provide nutrients critical to lifelong health. The DGAs highlight 3 eating patterns: The Healthy U.S. Style, The Healthy Vegetarian, and The Healthy Mediterranean Dietary Patterns. Daily servings of dairy are included in each of these recommended patterns. As the body of research on nutrition and health grows, the evidence continues to support dairy’s place in a healthy eating pattern.