Quote:
Originally Posted by Villages PL
On the front page of section C (local) in The Daily Sun, there's a column with the following heading: "Increase your fruits, vegetables with MyPlate"
The column lists 5 food groups:
Fruit
Vegetables
Grains
Protein
Dairy
My question: Why is "dairy" listed as a separate group when it's clearly a protein?
By law, the dairy industry is not even allowed to say that dairy helps build strong bones. But the U.S.D.A gives it the status of a separate food group as though it's something special.
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Why is dairy a food group?
A food group is a collection of foods that share similar nutritional properties or biological classifications. Nutrition guides typically divide foods into food groups and recommend daily servings of each group for a healthy diet.
(Yes I have milked many cows both Grade A and Grade B )
I would really like to have a reference to the law mentioned above so I can review it. Milk has long been recognized as a source of calcium and it's the calcuim and other nutrients that help develope bones etc. I don't think they say it it is the only source of calcium nor that you must consume milk and dairy products to live a healthy life. Some studies as with most everything want to disprove that theory. There is not really enough information that we can know for sure what the hunters and gatherers did or did not do as far milk nor any of the other people from 10,0000 years ago or alot longer especially since they depended on wild animals and plants for food and drew pictures to communicate. We do accept that they were replaced after the invention of agriculture with people who kept animals as a source for food. This is a lot of information we covered in 7th grade Social Studies while I worked as a teacher's asssistant after retiring.
The importance of calcium
Calcium is a mineral that helps build strong bones and teeth, regulates muscle contraction (including the heartbeat) and makes sure the blood is clotting normally. Milk and dairy products have long been held as an important source of calcium.
Other sources of calcium include:
• Fish (with the bones - for example canned salmon and sardines)
• Dried fruit
• Sesame seeds
• Almonds
• Soya
• Dark green leafy vegetables
Research suggests that in addition to calcium, Vitamin D is important because it helps the body absorb and retain calcium in the bones, making them strong. Similarly, sufficient exercise is now seen as another vital factor in maintaining healthy bone structure and density - concerns have been voiced that a lack of excercise in growing children will have a detrimental effect on their bones.
Calcium can continue strengthening your bones until the age of 20 to 25 when peak bone mass is reached. After this point, your bones can only maintain or lose their density and grow weaker as a natural part of the ageing process. Inadequate dietary calcium intake before this age can increase the risk of brittle bone disease and osteoporosis, as calcium is drawn from the bones as a reserve.
This is directly from the LA times;
The dairy debate: Does milk build stronger bones?
Some scientists are questioning dairy products' effectiveness in helping prevent osteoporosis.
March 07, 2005|Alice Lesch Kelly | Special to The Times
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Bones need calcium. Doctors, dietitians and researchers agree on this point.
Here are a few other experts that agree on the need for calcium.
The Four Food Groups Results from Everyday Health
Dairy Food Group - Vital Health Zone
Food Pyramid | Food Groups | Healthy Eating| Dietary Guidelines › MyPlate
Until there are conclusive and proven studies to the contrary I will have to continue to accept that dairy products are an important part of nutrition. Even if it provided no calcium at all it would still be an almost perfect food compared to the rest:
Here’s a brief look at what milk contains:
Protein: Helps build and repair body tissues, including muscles and bones, and plays a role in the creation of antibodies which fight infection.
Vitamin A: Aids bone and tooth development. Also aids in the maintenance of night vision and healthy skin.
Vitamin B12: Aids in red blood cell formation.
Vitamin B6: Factor in the conversion of food into energy and tissue formation, including bones.
Riboflavin: Factor in the conversion of food into energy and tissue formation.
Niacin: Aids in normal growth, and is a factor in the conversion of food into energy and tissue formation, including bones.
Thiamine: Releases energy from carbohydrate and aids normal growth.
Pantothenic acid: Factor in the conversion of food into energy and tissue formation, including bones.
Folate: Aids in red blood cell formation.
Vitamin D: Enhances calcium and phosphorus absorption, on which strong bones and teeth depend.
Calcium: Aids in the formation and maintenance of strong bones and healthy teeth.
Magnesium: Factor in bone and teeth health, conversion of food into energy and tissue formation.
Phosphorus: Factor in the formation and maintenance of strong bones and healthy teeth.
Potassium: Aids in the correct functioning of nerves and muscles.
Zinc: Factor in tissue formation, including bones, and conversion of food into energy.
Selenium: Factor in the correct functioning of the immune system, due to its antioxidant effect.