Sorting out myth from fiction about dairy products

There are many myths about dairy products. Can you sort fact from fiction? Here's a quiz to find out.

1. According to research, people who consume more dairy foods have better overall diets.

True or false?

2. People who include dairy in their diets have better bone health.

True or false?

3. People who are sensitive to lactose should avoid all milk and other dairy foods.

True or false?

4. Aged cheeses, such as cheddar and Swiss, are high in lactose.

True or false?

5. Flavored milk is bad for children because of high sugar content.

True or false?

6. Over half of girls and boys in the United States do not meet the recommended daily amount of calcium.

True or false?

7. Raw milk is safer and more natural than pasteurized milk.

True or false?

8. Consuming dairy products can lead to weight gain.

True or false?

Answers: 1. True; 2. True; 3. False. Often they can enjoy lactose-free milk or yogurt. 4. False; 5. False. Although higher in sugar, it does contain the same nutrients as regular milk. 6. True; 7. False. Pasteurization kills bacteria. 8. False. Eating more calories than you burn through exercise causes weight gain.

Source: American Dietetic Association, www.eatright.org

(Contact Gwen Schoen at gschoen(at)sacbee.com.)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)