The US government recommends eating three dairy products a day. This is, perhaps to the surprise of the country with 1,200 cheeses, more than the French recommendations, which are based on two daily servings (then three or four after age 55). This may be why the US Department of Health is re-evaluating its recommendations. A committee of scientists is currently examining the hypothesis of a diet lower in dairy products, with a view to possibly updating its recommendations.
With around 70 grams per day, the French are the second biggest cheese eaters in the world behind the Greeks. A small gap, given that a “portion” of cheese is considered to be 30 grams. But that’s without counting other dairy products. The problem? Diets that are too heavy on dairy products increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer. That said, no scientific consensus has emerged. Other studies link dairy consumption to a healthier heart, as well as a reduced risk of other cancers (such as colon cancer) and type 2 diabetes. The discrepancy in conclusions is explained by the nature of these studies. M
Most are observational, meaning they ask test subjects to list what they eat and then observe their health over time. This approach struggles to differentiate the effects of one food over another. In short, indulge in that piece of comté and that slice of mozzarella in your salad, but be careful about the quantities. Some experts estimate the ideal daily dose at one yogurt or 40 grams of cheese. 950 milligrams of calcium per day recommended In fact, it all depends on the rest of your diet. The main attraction of dairy products is their calcium content, which is good for bones and particularly important for children and women over 50. But a significant portion of our daily consumption comes in the form of pizzas and sandwiches, when we should be focusing on minimally processed foods with no added sugars.
To reach the recommended daily calcium intake of 950 milligrams, a serving of plain yogurt, cheese, or milk is best, according to Walter C. Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard. More specifically, and in comparison with French habits, we are talking about three petits suisses, 20 grams of Emmental, or 50 grams of Camembert. In fact, plain yogurt, with its probiotics and lactic bacteria, is the one that nutritionists prefer. This portion provides about half of the recommended daily intake. The rest of the diet will take care of the rest.
The other debate that has increasingly excited the scientific community in recent years: low-fat or full-fat dairy products? American dietary recommendations lean toward low-fat dairy products, such as skim milk. In addition to being higher in calories, the saturated fats in whole milk and full-fat yogurts and cheeses increase the level of “bad” cholesterol, and therefore the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, here again, scientific research is not unanimous. Some recent studies show very little difference between low-fat and full-fat dairy products. Others even prove that the impact of saturated fats on cholesterol is more complex than previously thought.
According to Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, cardiologist and professor of nutrition and medicine at Tufts University, a healthy person can therefore choose the fat level they prefer. Only someone with a history of high cholesterol would really have an interest in sticking to low-fat dairy products.
