Why Dairy?
Dairy for you and your family
From the goodness of milk to the richness and variety of cheese and yogurt, the Irish dairy industry plays a vital role in meeting the health and nutrition needs of you and your family. The National Dairy Council website is a resource dedicated to giving you the best-available dietary advice as you make informed choices. We have always believed that good advice is advice founded on scientific research and understanding. In the 1970s, when concerns about healthy eating were in their infancy, we were the first food agency in Ireland to employ a full-time nutritionist. A generation later, our commitment is undimmed. Here you'll find the latest science-backed information on the role dairy plays in health and balanced diets and in managing the nutritional needs of you and your family.
Why Dairy?
It's part of who we are
Milk has been part of the Irish diet from the earliest time. Cheese, curds, whey, butter and, of course, milk have nourished countless generations, so much so that the 'wandering cow' was the symbol of Ireland in its native poetry. Today, dairying is a thriving sector in Irish agriculture. Most dairy cattle in Ireland are Holstein-Friesian, a breed Northern Europe, in origin. Dairy farms are almost exclusively family-run businesses and there are estimated to be 30,000 dairy farms operating in Ireland today.
Delicious, nutritious and varied
Dairy foods include milk and a vast array of products made from milk. A visit to the chilled cabinet of your local supermarket gives a sense of the sheer variety of products and the contribution they make to our everyday diet. Dairy products are naturally delicious and a natural source of many essential nutrients such as protein, calcium and some of the B vitamins. Collectively, the dairy industry contributes a substantial proportion of the nutrient intake in the Irish diet. As well as satisfying your immediate nutritional needs, many research studies indicate that consumption of dairy foods is also linked to longer term benefits related to bone health, body weight management, dental health and blood pressure regulation, among other health benefits.
Nutrients for life
Dairy products provide a unique package of nutrients that are essential to good health.
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