What if the New Year wasn’t about cutting food groups… but adding nutrition instead?

That’s the idea behind our latest campaign.

Every January, Australians are flooded with messages about restriction: cut carbs, cut fat, cut food groups. But when it comes to health, cutting isn’t always the answer. Sometimes, the smarter move is adding foods that do more.

Dairy is one of Australia’s most nutrient-dense foods, delivering 10 essential nutrients in one simple food group — including calcium, high-quality protein and key vitamins that support strong bones, heart health and healthy ageing.

And yet, it remains one of the most under-consumed food groups in the country. Right now:

• Only 10 per cent of adults and 20 per cent of children meet recommended dairy intakes
• More than half of Australians don’t meet daily calcium needs

That gap matters. Low dairy intake is linked to higher risks of osteoporosis, fractures and poor nutrition – outcomes that affect quality of life and place growing pressure on our healthcare system.

In fact, the evidence is clear: increasing dairy consumption across the population could save Australia up to $2 billion in healthcare costs every year.

The benefits of adding dairy are proven.

In aged care settings, increasing dairy intake by just 1.5 serves per day (from two to 3.5 serves) significantly improves calcium and protein intake and leads to real health outcomes, including:

• 11 per cent fewer falls
• 33 per cent fewer fractures
• 46 per cent fewer hip fractures

These are meaningful improvements for older Australians, for families, and for the sustainability of our health and aged care systems.

That’s why this new year ADPF is keeping it simple – it’s just about adding dairy. No extremes. No food rules. Just evidence-based nutrition that fits real lives.

Adding dairy can be as easy as:

• real milk in your coffee
• yoghurt at breakfast
• cheese with meals

Small, achievable habits that support health at every stage of life.

Why this matters for policy

Dairy is one of the Five Food Groups in the Australian Dietary Guidelines, yet its health benefits are often under-communicated and misunderstood. At the same time, the Health Star Rating (HSR) system currently undervalues nutrient-dense dairy foods like cheese, creating confusion and discouraging healthy choices.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing why dairy matters – for families, for healthy ageing and for public health – and why it’s essential that our dietary guidelines and food labelling frameworks reflect the science.

Because good nutrition policy starts with good evidence. And sometimes, progress really is as simple as adding a glass of milk.

More: Add dairy

More: ADPF Strategic Focus Area – Champion supportive and progressive policy reforms