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Title: The role of yogurt in improving the quality of the American diet and meeting dietary guidelines

Author
item WEBB, DENSIE - Health And Nutrition Communications
item DONOVAN, SHARON - University Of Illinois
item MEYDANI, SIMIN - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University

Submitted to: Nutrition Reviews
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/17/2014
Publication Date: 3/6/2014
Citation: Webb, D., Donovan, S.M., Meydani, S.N. 2014. The role of yogurt in improving the quality of the American diet and meeting dietary guidelines. Nutrition Reviews. 72(3):180-189. DOI:10.1111/nure.12098.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommend 3 daily servings of lowfat or nonfat dairy products, however, two-thirds of Americans do not meet that goal. Including lowfat or nonfat yogurt as part of an overall healthful diet can be a positive step towards meeting the DGA. Yogurt contains calcium and potassium, and some are fortified with vitamin D. All of these nutrients were identified by the DGA as “nutrients of concern,” because typical intake falls far short of recommended intakes. Yogurt can also be an excellent source of high-quality protein, which promotes satiety, helps in maintaining a healthy weight, and aids muscle and bone growth. In addition, yogurt is low in sodium and contributes 1.0 percent or less of added sugars to the diets of most Americans. However, 90 percent of children and adults in the U.S. consume less than 8 ounces (1 cup) of yogurt per week. Thus, consuming 1 serving of yogurt per day would help to meet the DGA recommended dairy servings and would provide nutrients of concern.