Insights on Dietary Guidance, Behavior & Lactose

In this month’s Nutrition Connections for Health Professionals:

• Dairy recommendations in the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
• Research on how habit tracking supports behavior change and health goals
• California Academy of Physician Associates’ magazine article on strategies to support healthy eating when addressing lactose intolerance
• Opportunity to register for a webinar on lactose research featuring an international panel of experts

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Dairy in the New Dietary Guidelines for Americans

In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture released the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, along with a new supporting website. These guidelines provide the foundation for federal food, nutrition and health policies and help guide state and local public health initiatives. 

The updated Dietary Guidelines emphasize overall dietary patterns, encouraging a balanced approach that includes protein foods, dairy, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and whole grains, while limiting highly processed foods. 

For key dairy takeaways from the Dietary Guidelines, click the topics below to jump to what interests you most:

• Dairy Food Group
• Dairy Across the Lifespan 
• High-Quality Protein 
• Dairy Fat 
• Added Sugar and Flavored Dairy 
• Highly Processed Foods 
• Dairy Foods Advance Nutrition Security and Meet Cultural Needs 

Download the Dairy in the Dietary Guidelines summary handout here.

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Research Spotlight

Research from JMIR Research Protocols shows that self-monitoring such as tracking physical activity and dietary intake is the “active ingredient” linked to sustained behavior change. 

Health professionals can apply this concept by encouraging patients to track the foods they eat at each meal, with a focus on including nutrient-dense options. Examples of simple goals to help meet nutrient needs might be “include fruits and vegetables at every meal” or “aim for three servings of dairy a day.” 

Use Dairy Council of CA’s Dairy Supports Healthy Aging handout, which aligns with a food-for-health approach, to encourage self-monitoring and goal setting for improved health outcomes. 

Featured Article in CAPA Quarterly Magazine

Dairy Council of CA is partnering with the California Academy of Physician Associates by contributing nutrition articles to CAPA Quarterly magazine.  

The April issue focuses on identifying barriers to healthy eating and offers strategies to manage lactose intolerance when it is a real or perceived barrier. 

Read the article, which includes practical tips: Empowering Patients Through Nutrition: Strategies for Discussing Lactose Intolerance.

Professional Education Opportunity

Lactose continues to create confusion among consumers and health professionals, often leading to unnecessary dietary restrictions. International Dairy Federation is hosting “Lactose 360,” a pre-recorded presentation and live panel discussion on May 21, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT. 

The symposium, designed for nutrition and health professionals, will cover physiology, clinical practice, emerging research and practical guidance. Hear from international experts and gain evidence-based insights to inform nutrition and health recommendations. Register here.

Let's Work Together

Questions or opportunities for collaboration? Please contact Bessie O’Connor, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at boconnor@dairycouncilofca.org.  

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