Milk Product Food Group

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

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