Westmeath researcher reveals 7 in 10 Irish adults fall short of recommended daily dairy servings

New research presented today at the Nutrition Society Congress in Newcastle by Dr Aoife Murtagh, a Westmeath native and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the UCD Institute of Food and Health, has found that while almost every adult in Ireland consumes dairy, more than seven in 10 do not meet the Department of Health’s recommendation of three daily servings of milk, yoghurt, or cheese

The findings highlight a significant nutritional gap across the population. The provisional analysis shows that 99% of Irish adults consume dairy products, yet 73% do not achieve the recommended three daily servings set out in Irish dietary guidelines.

The research also highlights a concerning generational divide, as adults aged 18–64 consume significantly less dairy than those aged 65 and over, raising questions about nutrient adequacy among younger adults.

Irish dietary guidelines recommend three servings of milk, yoghurt, or cheese each day to help meet requirements for key nutrients including calcium, protein, iodine, vitamin B12, and riboflavin.

The findings are based on a secondary dairy-specific analysis of the National Adult Nutrition Survey II (NANS II), commissioned by the National Dairy Council (NDC).

Dr Murtagh said: “Our analysis shows that although dairy is widely consumed in Ireland, the majority of people are missing the mark on their daily targets. Average intake sits at 2.4 servings per day, driven largely by milk. While people haven’t abandoned dairy, changing preferences and modern health perceptions may be contributing to lower overall intake.”

Key findings

The research found:

• 73% of Irish adults do not consume the Department of Health’s recommended three daily servings of dairy.

• Average intake is 2.4 servings per day, below national dietary guidelines.

• Only 27% of adults achieve the recommended daily intake.

• Milk accounts for the largest share of dairy consumption at 1.2 servings per day, followed by cheese (0.8 servings) and yoghurt (0.3 servings).

• Men consume significantly more dairy than women.

• Adults aged 18–64 consume significantly less dairy than adults aged 65 years and older.

• 99% of Irish adults consume some form of dairy.

Dairy provides key nutrients

Dairy foods provide a range of essential nutrients, including calcium, protein, iodine, vitamin B12, and riboflavin, which play important roles in supporting bone health, muscle function, and overall health throughout life.

Commenting on the findings, Dr Mary Harrington, senior nutritionist at the National Dairy Council, said: “Over 70% of adults are falling short of the recommended three servings of dairy each day. These findings should act as a wake-up call. Milk, yoghurt, and cheese provide a matrix of nutrients beyond calcium that are important for everyday health across all life stages.”

“We need to bridge this gap and help those under 65 understand how important it is to get that third serving into their daily routine. Adding just one more portion, like a yoghurt at snack time or a sprinkle of cheese at dinner, could significantly improve the nutritional quality of the average Irish diet.”

Dr Harrington added that the findings highlight the need for further research into the potential impact of lower dairy consumption on overall diet quality and nutrient adequacy among Irish adults.