CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings(Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Non-controlling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 1,514,068	$ 912	$ 1,062,164	$ 583,102	$ (146,653)	$ 14,543
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2010		91,217,667
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation (in shares)		745,228
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation	(5,843)	7	(5,850)
Share-based compensation expense	31,408		31,408
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest	6,754					6,754
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	(16,550)					(16,550)
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	(1,575,621)			(1,575,621)
Other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 14):
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax benefit	(58,797)				(58,797)
Amounts reclassified to statement of operations related to hedging activities, net of tax	35,235				35,235
Cumulative translation adjustment	(12,738)				(12,738)
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax benefit	(16,567)				(16,567)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	(98,651)	919	1,087,722	(992,519)	(199,520)	4,747
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011		91,872,895
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation (in shares)		908,872
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation	(224)	9	(233)
Share-based compensation expense	24,247		24,247
Sale of former subsidiary shares to non-controlling interest	367,540		265,004		4,469	98,067
Share-based compensation expense for former subsidiary shares	1,167					1,167
Wind-down of former subsidiary joint venture	(4,747)					(4,747)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	2,419					2,419
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	158,622			158,622
Other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 14):
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax benefit	(19,793)				(19,780)	(13)
Amounts reclassified to statement of operations related to hedging activities, net of tax	24,964				24,964
Cumulative translation adjustment	11,287				10,354	933
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax benefit	(7,203)				(7,071)	(132)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	459,628	928	1,376,740	(833,897)	(186,584)	102,441
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012	92,781,767	92,781,767
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation (in shares)		2,049,610
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation	19,920	20	19,900
Share-based compensation expense	11,718		11,718
Share-based compensation expense for former subsidiary shares	7,733					7,733
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest	6,179					6,179
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company	813,178			813,178
Other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 14):
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax benefit	(81)				(91)	10
Amounts reclassified to statement of operations related to hedging activities, net of tax	58,784				58,784
Cumulative translation adjustment	(10,791)				(9,393)	(1,398)
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax benefit	47,073				47,069	4
Spin-Off of The WhiteWave Foods Company	(699,026)		(617,082)		33,025	(114,969)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 714,315	$ 948	$ 791,276	$ (20,719)	$ (57,190)
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013	94,831,377	94,831,377