Everyone Needs 3 Servings a day of dairy
Most Americans are eating only half the recommended two – three servings of dairy each day – that means
they don’t get the recommended calcium and eight essential nutrients dairy provides for stronger bones and better bodies.
Eating three servings a day of dairy, in addition to regular physical activity, is an important way for the whole family to build stronger bones and reduce risk of osteoporosis. Nutrients in dairy foods including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, protein and vitamin D work together to help build and protect bones. In fact, a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics states that eating calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt during childhood and adolescence will help build strong bones, which may reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis later in life.
Choose low and fat free dairy products more often. Of course, adults can help protect their bones too, by getting 3 servings a day of dairy and participating in weight-bearing exercise. So take care of yourself and set a good example for your kids at the same time.
One serving equals: Milk = 8 ounces (1 cup)
Cheese = 1 to 1-1/2 ounces of cheese
Yogurt = 6 or 8 ounce container of yogurt
Dairy Stats -
Kids
- About 30 percent of kids ages 1-5 don’t get the recommended amount of calcium in their diets.
- Seventy percent of preteen girls (ages 6-11) and 60 percent of preteen boys do not meet current calcium recommendations.
Teens
- Nearly 9 out of 10 teenage girls and 7 out of 10 teenage boys(ages 12-19) don’t meet daily calcium recommendations.
- On average, teen girls drink twice as much soda than milk aday.
- By about age 20, the average young person has acquired about 98 percent of his/her skeletal mass. Building strong bones during childhood and adolescence can be the best defense against developing osteoporosis later in life.
Adults
- Nine out of 10 women and 7 out of 10 men, ages 20 and up, in this country fail to meet calcium recommendations.
- Half of all adult women in this country do not even drink 1 glass of milk a day.
- Four out of 10 Americans consume less than 1 glass of milk a day.
- Bones continue to grow in density until about age 30. Adults need calcium to help build bone density and maintain bone mass.
- Among people 50 and older, less than 15 percent get the daily calcium recommended.
- Eighty percent of those affected by osteoporosis are women; 1 in 5 is male.
Dairy Packs a Powerful Nutrient Punch
- Dairy provides calcium and 8 other essential nutrients including potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin,and niacin (niacin equivalents) to help keep bones strong and bodies fit.
- Calcium has been called the “super nutrient” because it may play a role in reducing the risk of osteoporosis, kidney stones, lead exposure and PMS.
- About 73 percent of the calcium in our food supply comes from milk and foods made with milk.
And if you are looking to supplement the healthy dairy in your daily diet, AdvoCare has Calcium Plus, a nutritional formula that gives your body calcium plus the other minerals and vitamins needed to fully utilize calcium. We 
also have a nutritious Meal Replacement Shake that gives you 500mg of calcium along with vitamins, minerals and fiber in an easy to drink meal on the go.
Information courtesy of -
USDA Data
National Osteoporosis Foundation, 2002.
USDA Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, 1996
Matkovik V., Jelic T., Wardlaw G.M., Ilich J.Z., Goel P.K., Wright, J.K., et al., Timing of peak bone mass in Caucasian females and its implication for the
prevention of osteoporosis, J Clin Invest, 93: 799-808, 1994
USDA Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, 1996
National Dairy Council 2006
