Introduction:

milk and milk products are considered key products to follow an adequate ans affordable diet in the present context. However, the consumption is declining in the last years, being mainly replaced by vegetable drinks with a different nutrient profile and bioavailability.

Objectives:

to update the importance of milk in the present Spanish diet to achieve the nutrition goals; to evaluate the potential consequences of the observed lower consumption, mainly in some vulnerable groups; to avoid misinformation and errors in relation to milk consumption.

Methods:

review of bibliography and recent dietary surveys in Spain.

Results:

milk and milk products (2-4 daily servings) are confirmed key for a better and affordable high nutrient density diet. Moreover, if it is not present in the diet, calcium recommended intakes will not be achieved. Milk is a singular food matrix for the development of different formulas and adaptations targeted to special populations.

Conclusions:

it is critical from the nutritional point of view to recover the adequate milk and milk products consumption, through the education, but also by the information based on the scientific evidence.

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