Idaho Dairy Council

All About the White Stuff

  • Probiotics, which are living microorganisms that when consumed in sufficient amounts provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, are emerging as important dietary ingredients in foods. In the U.S., food products containing these "friendly" probiotic bacteria are almost exclusively dairy products such as yogurt and cultured dairy drinks. More...
  • Whey protein is a high-quality protein derived from cow's milk. Compared to many other proteins, on a gram-to-gram basis, whey protein delivers more essential amino acids to the body and is absorbed quickly and efficiently. More…
  • There is more than calcium to milk. Milk is a powerful nutrient package, packed with 8 major essential nutrients in addition to calcium and numerous nutrients in smaller amounts. For example, milk is one of the major contributors of potassium, an important blood pressure regulator.
    • When it comes to scientific research, studies using calcium supplements are inconsistent, whereas consumption of calcium-rich dairy product shows more consistent outcomes.
  • Not so long ago, your choice of beverages was limited to milk, water or fruit juice. Today, there are a myriad of beverage choices for adults and kids alike. When it comes to choosing a drink, choose wisely. Think Your Drink features nutrient bar graphs of 8 familiar beverages. Compare the nutrient pluses and minuses of these popular drinks.
  • What about flavored milk for my family?
    Are you concerned about chocolate milk? Chocolate milk contains the SAME powerful nutrients found in regular white milk, with less added sugar than most sugar drinks commonly consumed by our children. In an analysis of the diets of more than 3,000 children published in the January 2004 issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health shows a positive effect on children's diets when kids choose flavored milks and yogurts (Link to flavored milk Frary word document) instead of sodas and sweetened drinks. More…
  • Recent research indicates that if you are reaching for calcium fortified drinks instead of milk, you might need to think twice…
  • Can't drink milk? Lactose intolerance does not equal dairy intolerance. With a few simple steps, people who are sensitive to lactose can enjoy dairy foods.