Further, the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), give Americans a blueprint for good nutrition, including guidelines on including milk and milk products in a healthy diet. Additionally, USDA replaced the traditional Food Guide Pyramid with the new "MyPyramid" symbol and interactive food guidance system, which allows consumers to individualize their dietary recommendations. For more information, visit http://www.mypyramid.gov/.

Why milk?

• Calcium: Helps build and maintain strong bones. It's also vital for nerve function, muscle contraction, and blood clotting.
• Protein: Important for a number of bodily functions — vital to brain development and the growth of body tissues.
• Vitamin A: Maintains normal vision and skin. Helps regulate cell growth and integrity of the immune system.
• Vitamin B-12: Essential for the growth and health of the nervous system. Linked to normal activity of folic acid and is involved in blood formation.
• Vitamin D: Promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and influences bone mineralization, the strengthening of bones.
• Potassium: Regulates the body's fluid balance and blood pressure. It also is needed for muscle activity and contractions.
• Phosphorus: Helps generate energy in the body's cells and influences bone mineralization, the strengthening of bones.
• Niacin: Keeps enzymes functioning normally and helps the body process sugars and fatty acids. It is also important for the development of the nervous system.
• Riboflavin: Helps produce energy in the body's cells and plays a vital role in the development of the nervous system.

Milk and its Role in Weight Loss

Studies suggest that including 24 oz. of fat free or lowfat milk every 24 hours as part of a reduced-calorie diet may help people lose more weight and burn more fat than cutting calories alone.

• For a list of scientific studies that support the connection between milk and weight loss, click here.

• To download a colorful one-page sheet that summarizes the key medical research showing the milk and weight-loss connection, click here.

• For more information on the 24/24 Milk Your Diet. Lose Weight! program, visit www.2424milk.com.

How does milk stack up?

Just for Kids

• School Milk Benefits Kids' Overall Nutrition
  School vending is a very important way to deliver milk and calcium to kids and teens.

  Studies demonstrate that when children drink milk at lunch, they have a higher intake of several critical nutrients, including calcium, zinc and vitamin A. In one study, only those children drinking milk at lunch were able to meet their daily calcium requirement.
  Johnson, R.K. et al. Journal of Child Nutrition and Management. 1998; 2:95.

• Flavored Milk Drinkers More Likely to Meet Calcium Requirements
  A study out of the University of Vermont found that children who drank flavored milk were more likely to meet their daily calcium requirements compared to their peers. The flavored milk drinkers consumed more calcium, without increasing their total added sugar or fat intake. Children and teens who drank flavored milk consumed more milk overall.
  Johnson, R.K. et al. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2002; 102:853-56.

• Flavored Milk Packs Same Nutrients as White Milk
  Like all milk, flavored milk is a rich source of calcium, protein, vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B12, phosphorus, riboflavin, potassium and niacin. Milk's nutrients, especially calcium, are necessary for developing strong bones and teeth. Each 8-oz. serving of milk — white or flavored — provides 300 mg of calcium, about one-third to one-fourth of the daily calcium requirement for children.

• Milk Helps Athletes Refuel
  Researchers at Indiana University found that drinking chocolate milk is one of the best things an athlete can do to recover from an intense workout. In fact chocolate milk was twice as effective as a commercial sports drink. The researchers say it's the unique combination of carbohydrates and protein in chocolate milk (as opposed to white milk) that makes it ideal for exhausted muscles.
  Karp, JR et al. The efficacy of chocolate milk as a recovery aid. American College of Sports Medicine (abstract), 2004.

• Why Milk Matters Now
  The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development says kids should be drinking more milk, more often. To learn more about their program called "Why Milk Matters Now," click here.