Milk Consumption Has Declined a Surprising 40 Percent Since 1970

Now that’s a statistic we like to hear!

The USDA’s recent study reveals this fun fact and breaks it down like this: “While milk is still considered a staple of the American diet, USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) found that Americans of all ages are drinking less milk, on average, than previous generations did. Per capita consumption of fluid milk totaled nearly one cup per day in 1970 but now tallies only 0.6 cup per day.”

The decline in consumption has intensified since last year’s report and is attributed to two different factors: (1) the rising abundance of “alternative beverages” like sports drinks, bottled water, and juices, and (2) an ongoing decline of milk consumption in new generations.

… Sigh, kids these days just aren’t drinking the milk of another species like they used to.

Unfortunately, the USDA still recommends the consumption of milk for health benefits, stating, “Current guidelines for teenagers and adults suggest daily consumption of three cups of foods from the dairy group, which includes fluid milk as well as foods made from milk that retain their calcium content, such as cheese, yogurt and some milk-based desserts.”

Now, most plant-based diet followers will tell you, getting calcium from milk is just an old wives tale! Let us hit you with some knowledge we posted back in 2011 (and it’s still true today!): “Calcium is nothing without its sister mineral, magnesium and this should come as no surprise that approximately 75% of Americans are deficient in magnesium. Magnesium aids the absorption of calcium into the bone and cow’s milk by itself does not have enough magnesium to Support its calcium, which causes excessive calcium to accumulate in the body.”

So, jump on the healthy calcium-packed veggie bandwagon with some spinach and almonds (click for more resources), grab an alternative milk, which (despite what the dairy industry says) is much better for you than dairy, and be thankful you are no longer participating in a cruel industry.