Dairy has always been a part of my life, from the barn to the table. From an early age, eating three servings of dairy a day was extremely crucial to me, not only because my family produced it for thousands of people, but also because it is vital for a balanced diet.
I grew up on my family’s 400-cow dairy farm in southeastern Minnesota, where I fed calves, milked cows with my dad and uncle, and developed a passion for educating the public about dairy products.
Finding a way to incorporate dairy into your family’s diet can be as plain as adding a cheese stick to your child’s lunch box or enjoying an ice cream sundae after dinner. One of my family’s favorite ways to incorporate dairy into our meals was the Dairy Potato Bake, also known as cheesy potatoes, which contains three different dairy products. Cheese, cream and butter make up more than half of this dish.
Another classic meal worth eating is pizza if you want to spend a serene evening with your family.
Did you know they exist? 13 vital nutrients in milk? While all 13 are crucial, the main three are calcium, protein, and vitamin D.
Calcium is known for building and maintaining sturdy bones and teeth. Protein helps maintain a robust immune system while stimulating tissue growth and repair. The vitamin is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb and retain calcium, deal with infections and reduce inflammation. Eating dairy products provides 15% of your daily vitamin D. Other benefits of consuming dairy products include a boost of energy throughout the day and maintaining robust blood flow.
Did you know that approximately 90% of Americans do not consume the appropriate amount of dairy recommended by the USDA? There are several different factors that influence how much dairy you should eat each day. Some of these factors include age, gender and physical activity. As a 19-year-old woman, I should be consuming about three cups of dairy a day. If I were 5 years aged, I should be consuming 3-3 ½ cups of dairy.
Everyone has different lifestyles and needs, so finding a way to incorporate modern foods into your diet can sometimes be challenging. As a busy student, I often forget how crucial a balanced diet is.
When I’m not running from class to club meetings and have time for a snack break, I always try to have one dairy product. It’s usually a glass of milk, a cheese stick or yogurt. After eating dairy as a snack, I always feel more energized and ready for the rest of my busy day.
Overall, it’s crucial to be aware of the importance of dairy in your and your family’s diet. Finding compact ways to build a habit will improve your physical and mental health.
