Meals Matter – Healthy eating and meal planning made easier

Meals Matter is a non-commercial website developed and supported by the Dairy Council of California, a state government entity that is funded by California’s dairy producer and processors. Meals Matter is a free site and because of our funding, there is no charge to use any feature on this site and this site does not include any advertising.

The Dairy Council of California develops nutrition education programs, for educators and health professionals. Our programs teach healthful eating habits based on the 2005 Dietary Guidelines and USDA's MyPyramid food guidance system. We developed Meals Matter as a tool to promote healthy food choices for families.

Meals Matter strives to assist the family meal preparer in overseeing the family's meal and snack choices by making informed decisions that lead to optimal health.

Registered dietitians who are skilled in education create practical and nutritionally accurate tools customizable to your family's unique needs and interests. Registered dietitians review all nutrition articles.

Nutrition Philosophy

We value individual choice and recognize that taste, the enjoyment of foods, and family and cultural traditions are important factors in healthy food decisions.

We recognize that inclusion of favorite foods regardless of fat or calorie content can be part of a balanced diet when using the above principles.

We recognize the importance of including physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. Physically active individuals can increase the amount and variety of foods they eat while maintaining their body weight, which allows for more flexibility in food choices.

We believe that making healthy food choices from all food groups leads to lifelong health and wellness.

We believe that all foods can be part of healthful eating when managed for variety, moderation, and proportionality. We encourage a core of low-fat choices, based on USDA's MyPyramid.

We believe that it is important to teach children about good nutrition and healthy food choices at an early age, as they begin to form lifelong habits.

Meals Matter Features

Our FREE tools help you make healthy and good tasting food choices that your family will enjoy from all food groups.

Registering and completing the family food profile allows you to participate more meaningfully on the site and it enables us to provide personalized nutrition information to you.

Registration on our website and use of our online tools and recipes is FREE.

Interactive tools

The Meal Planning Tools — Cookbook, Meal Planner, Meal Suggestions, Pantry, Recipes and Shopping List — provide a range of useful features to make planning healthy meals easier.

Meal Planner helps you to plan ahead for quick and healthy meals
Shopping list saves you time and helps limit impulse buys at the grocery store
Build your Pantry helps you build a well-stocked kitchen
Cookbook helps you organize your favorite family recipes.
Recipe database provides thousands of options for creative family meals.
Personalized Interactive Tools help you make healthy food and activity choices.

Meals Matter is also a place to learn more about nutrition and cooking.

Eating for Health nutrition articles

Learn how functional foods optimize your health
Find information and recommendations on lifestyle choices, including food and physical activity

Cooking for Your Family brings ideas to the table

Find hand picked meal suggestions
Build a foundation for healthy meals with our tips and ideas about feeding your family

Newsletters

When you register, you will have the option of receiving our FREE nutrition and recipe newsletters. Readers receive recipe and cooking ideas, healthy eating tips and links to our nutrition articles. Registered dietitians review all nutrition articles. You can unsubscribe from our newsletters at any time by changing your personal profile.

We respect your privacy. We are committed to ensuring that only you have access to the information you provide about yourself. We do not share or sell the names and email addresses of our members with third parties. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Visit Dairy Council of California for more information.