NUTRITION FACTSHEET
TIPS FOR DAY CARE PROVIDERS AND PARENTS
GRAINS

Feel free to download, print, and redistribute.

Start kids off with healthy eating habits with this information from the Food Pyramid for Kids:
• Grains
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Fats
• Milk & Dairy
• Meats & Beans (Protein)
• Physical Activity

What foods are included in the milk, yogurt, and cheese (milk) group?

All fluid milk products and many foods made from milk are considered part of this food group. Foods made from milk that retain their calcium content are part of the group, while foods made from milk that have little to no calcium, such as cream cheese, cream, and butter, are not. Most milk group choices should be fat-free or low-fat.

Some commonly eaten choices in the milk, yogurt, and cheese group are:

Milk*

All fluid milk

fat-free (skim)
low fat (1%)
reduced fat (2%)
whole milk
flavored milks:

chocolate
strawberry
lactose reduced milks
lactose free milks

Milk-based desserts*

Puddings made with milk
ice milk
frozen yogurt
ice cream

Cheese*

Hard natural cheeses:

cheddar
mozzarella
Swiss
parmesan

Soft cheeses:

ricotta
cottage cheese

Processed cheeses

American

Yogurt*

All yogurt

Fat-free
low fat
reduced fat
whole milk yogurt

* Selection Tips

Choose fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese. If you choose milk or yogurt that is not fat-free, or cheese that is not low-fat, the fat in the product counts as part of the discretionary calorie allowance.

If sweetened milk products are chosen (flavored milk, yogurt, drinkable yogurt, desserts), the added sugars also count as part of the discretionary calorie allowance.

For those who are lactose intolerant, lactose-free and lower-lactose products are available. These include hard cheeses and yogurt. Also, enzyme preparations can be added to milk to lower the lactose content. Calcium-fortified foods and beverages such as soy beverages or orange juice may provide calcium, but may not provide the other nutrients found in milk and milk products.

_{Source: MyPyramid.gov}