Fact Sheet

Nutrient-rich dairy products deliver more bang for the buck than other grocery options.

Despite the current economic climate, dairy products continue to make $ense when it comes to nutritional and economic value.

According to a recent poll*, more than half of consumers say price, not nutrition, is the most important factor when grocery shopping in today's economic environment.

The good news is consumers don't have to compromise nutrition in these tough times because they can bank on the basics like dairy to maintain a nutritious and balanced diet.

The Consumer Compromise

According to a recent survey*, consumers say by a margin of two to one, that shopping for lower-priced or discounted foods has become more important since the recession began.

The survey revealed:

• 57 percent say shopping for lower-priced or discounted food has become more important while 29 percent say buying healthy foods has become more important.
• Nearly one-third (32 percent) of respondents are buying less dairy in general.
• Of those who are purchasing less dairy since the economic downturn, 39 percent said they believe they can obtain nutrients from other foods.

Dare to Compare Nutritional Value

Nutrient-rich dairy foods offer more nutritional value per calorie than many grocery alternatives. With nine essential nutrients, few foods can match dairy's unique nutrition package.

It takes 3 cups of broccoli to equal the calcium in one cup of milk.

An 8-ounce serving of low-fat plain yogurt contains 490 milligrams of potassium; about the same as a banana.

One ounce of hard cheese contains 8 grams of protein; an egg contains 6 grams.

It's important to avoid empty-calorie foods that provide little or no nutrition at a high cost. Many designer drinks, sodas and fruit drinks are high calorie and expensive which won't help the wallet or the waistline.

Dollar for Dollar, Dairy Delivers

Dairy products are one of the most economical sources of nutrition in the grocery store. Consumers can be confident that when they invest in dairy, they're getting a big return in nutrition to maintain a balanced diet.

Dairy Product	Bang for the Buck	Stretching Dairy Dollars
Milk	Protein is one of the most expensive parts of the diet. Milk is one of the most economical sources of high-quality protein and calcium, both of which are important for the growth and development of bones and teeth.	Buy milk by the gallon to stretch your dollar. An 8-oz. glass of milk costs about 25 cents, significantly less than the average sports drink.
Yogurt	Yogurt can deliver nearly a third of your daily calcium needs in just one 8-oz. serving.	Buy low-fat, plain yogurt by the quart. Flavor it yourself and use it as an ingredient for healthier recipes.
Cheese	Cheese, with 8 grams of protein per ounce, is a nutrient-rich food.	Cheese is most cost-effective when purchased in block form. Shred cheese over vegetables or casseroles or cut it into bite-size chunks for a quick snack.

A Nutrition Stimulus Package

Despite the tough economy, consumers can't afford to compromise on nutrition. Consumers need to ensure their food purchase decisions are based on nutritional and economic value instead of just price. Empty calories aren't a good investment in your health.

• Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend at least three servings of dairy each day.
• Dairy products provide four of the seven nutrients that Americans miss the most (calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamin A).
• Milk delivers nine essential nutrients while most sodas contain only empty calories.

When they choose dairy, consumers adopt healthy habits with residuals that can last a lifetime. So bank on the basics and invest in nutrition.

About Midwest Dairy Council^®

The Midwest Dairy Council is the nutrition education division of Midwest Dairy Association.

The Council's mission is to promote a healthy diet through nutrition education and the use of dairy products to consumers, health professionals and teachers.

Midwest Dairy Council is funded by check-off dollars from dairy farmers in a nine-state region that includes: Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma.

To learn more about dairy and how to Bank on the Basics, visit www.dairymakessense.com or call 1-800-406-MILK (6455).

*Omnibus telephone survey conducted April 16–19, 2009, by Opinion Research Corporation's CARAVAN Omnibus Survey (ORC) to gather information about consumers' grocery purchasing behavior during the global economic recession. Included 1,002 adults, 18 years of age and older, throughout the continental U.S.