Dairy products make you fat?

Eating more than our bodies need means we put on weight. So to keep a healthy weight it’s important to follow a balanced diet and keep physically active. The fat content of dairy products varies a lot, and much of this fat is saturated fat, which can raise cholesterol and is linked to obesity. So although eating dairy products won't make you fat, some are high in saturated fat and so you should only eat small amounts, or eat them less often. Or you could choose reduced-fat versions instead.

Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt are a really important part of a healthy balanced diet because they are great sources of protein and vitamins A, B12 and D. They're also an important source of calcium, which helps to keep our bones strong. This is important for everyone but if you're into sport you'll already know how crucial this is. The calcium in dairy foods is easy for the body to absorb. Cutting out dairy products can be bad for your health because you could be missing out on these nutrients.

Go for semi-skimmed or skimmed milk and low-fat yoghurts or fromage frais. These contain at least the same amount of protein, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc as full-fat versions. They just contain less saturated fat.