The USDA (Agriculture) and HHS (Health and Human Services) guidelines at choosemyplate.gov currently recommend a glass of milk at meals and "Emphasizes ... fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products". This has the effect of pushing excess protein and fat into US diets rather than providing simple water for hydration. Milk is associated with loss of bone density because acidic milk overwhelms calcium content. There is growing evidence that the milk protein casein increases cancer risk. Corporate Dairy interests are causing damage to our health, and replacing milk with water is a quick and easy step we can take back to a healthy America.

This change will hurt the dairy industry, exposing milk as an unhealthy addition to a diet. Sales will drop as Americans drop their dependence and school menus change to provide water as drink options rather than fatty and often sugary milk options. The dairy industry should not be profiting on an increasingly obese and unhealthy American populace.

The Department of Agriculture attempts to both advocate for and regulate the dairy industry, and that conflict of interest is nowhere more apparent than in the dietary guidelines. The industry farms and sells food for profit and is in no position to provide an unbiased opinion or to pull products when health conflicts with profit. Milk has no place in a healthy diet, and there is certainly no justification for its special "emphasis" alongside and even ahead of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Michelle Obama has taken the lead in fitness especially for young people. Working with the President, she has the opportunity to represent the nutritional science and Americans, young and old, who want to live happy and healthy lives. The question is whether we will let the American farm lobby win or whether we will make the right choice for health.

References:
USDA guidelines: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/dietary-guidelines.html
PCRM Power Plate and other dietary science: http://www.pcrm.org/health/diets/pplate/power-plate
http://www.healthyschoollunches.org/