The Facts on Dairy Fat

Think that milk products are a source of too much fat in your diet? Milk, cheese and yogurt only account for about 18% of the total fat in the average Canadian diet. Cheese can be a higher source of fat that other milk products. However, its high overall nutrient content still makes it a valuable food that can be enjoyed in moderation.

There’s a wide variety of milk products on the market, with various levels of fat content – read the labels to find the ones that better suit your needs and taste.

Here are the actual sources of fat in the average Canadian diet:

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Some fat in the diet is essential for health. Without it, our bodies wouldn't be able to process vitamins A, D, E and K, which are fat-soluble and need some fat to be absorbed.

Dairy products also provides natural-occurring trans fat called ''CLA''. The findings to date from research in humans, still in its infancy, suggest that CLA may protect against breast cancer in women.

When it comes to fat, moderation is key. Advice to reduce fat in our diet does not mean eliminating it. Too little fat is not healthy either. So, follow Canada’s Food Guide and use moderation and balance as your guiding principles.