Here’s the Scoop on Dairy…

Can you name a food that can be used in smoothies, cereals, and coffee? If you were thinking milk, you are right! This nutritious beverage is celebrated all month long for National Dairy Month.

National Dairy Month began in 1939 as a way to encourage families to drink more milk. Grocers across the nation began widely distributing milk and as a result, June became the official “dairy month.” While the celebration for dairy began as a way to increase consumption, dairy is now highlighted for its perfect combination of nutrients that play a key role in heart health, bone health, and disease prevention.

You’ve probably heard the phrase “drink milk to build strong teeth and bones.” Dairy is an important source of calcium which makes it an excellent source for bone health. Dairy is also packed with a ton of important nutrients.

Benefits of Dairy

Over the past few years, the talk about dairy has been confusing. The truth is dairy contains essential nutrients that are missing in most American diets such as calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. And according to research, unless you have an intolerance or allergy, there is no reason to avoid this nutritious drink.

• Protein:protein provides your body with fuel, kickstarts metabolic reactions within your body, and provides structure to cell tissues and organs. Some of the most protein-rich foods come from dairy sources such as milk, kefir, and yogurt.

• Potassium:an essential nutrient for maintaining blood pressure and fluid levels, the potassium found in dairy products is what makes dairy such an excellent nutrient-rich option.

• Vitamin D:Vitamin D plays an important role in building and maintaining bone health. Vitamin D is fortified into all dairy products to ensure that consuming dairy meet daily needs.

• Calcium: Calcium is a mineral that is essential to building and maintain strong and dense bones. In addition to bone health, calcium plays a role in blood clotting and heart contraction.

• Probiotics: sources of dairy such as yogurt and kefir are packed with probiotics. Probiotics are the healthy bacteria found naturally in your body and in some dairy products that help fight off the bad bacteria, and aid in gut health.

Dairy Options

There are a ton of sources of dairy beyond just an everyday glass of milk. Most dairy options provide even more nutritional benefits such as kefir and yogurt, which are loaded with probiotics.

• Cheese:When choosing cheese look for low-processed options for the most nutritious benefits. Try sprinkling cheese as a topping on your favorite salad or enjoy some cheese with some whole-grain crackers for a snack!

• Kefir: Kefir is an excellent source of probiotics, containing 15- 20 grams more than yogurt! A great way to enjoy Kefir is by drinking it! You can also add some to your favorite smoothie or make your own “kefir-shake.”

• Yogurt:Yogurt is a perfect dairy source of protein and can be enjoyed with some granola or fresh fruit. You can even try making a yogurt-based salad dressing.

The bottom line is – don’t ditch the dairy! Dairy is packed with an abundance of nutritional benefits and can be enjoyed in many different forms. Although June is National Dairy Month, dairy should be celebrated year-round!

Your Turn to Action: What is your favorite meal featuring dairy? Let me know in the comments below!

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