In general, 1 cup of milk or yogurt, 1 ½ ounces of natural cheese, or 2 ounces of processed cheese can be considered as 1 cup from the milk group.
The chart lists specific amounts that count as 1 cup in the milk group towards your daily recommended intake:
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Amount that counts as 1 cup in the milk group
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Common portions and cup equivalents
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Milk [choose fat-free or low-fat milk most often]
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1 cup
1 half-pint container
½ cup evaporated milk
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Yogurt [choose fat-free or low-fat yogurt most often]
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1 regular container (8 fluid ounces)
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1 small container (6 ounces) = ¾ cup
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1 cup
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1 snack size container (4 ounces) = ½ cup
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Cheese [choose low-fat cheeses most often]
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1 ½ ounces hard cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, parmesan)
1/3 cup shredded cheese
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1 slice of hard cheese is equivalent to ½ cup milk
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2 ounces processed cheese (American)
½ cup ricotta cheese
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1 slice of processed cheese is equivalent to 1/3 cup milk
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2 cups cottage cheese
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½ cup cottage cheese is equivalent to ¼ cup milk
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Milk-based desserts [choose fat-free or low-fat types most often]
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1 cup pudding made with milk
1 cup frozen yogurt
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1 ½ cups ice cream
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1 scoop ice cream is equivalent to 1/3 cup milk
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