The Importance of Dairy to Your Diet
The month of June is National Dairy month. While the National Dairy Association places dairy rich foods high on the list, they want you to know their many benefits. In addition to tasting good, food products such as milk, yogurt and cheese can also build strong bones and lower blood pressure.
- Cut the risk of diseases: Cultured dairy sources such as yogurt are filled with probiotics. While you may think the yogurt based items are just a food fad, you don’t want to dismiss the many benefits in this delicious dairy product. From better digestive and urinary health to a reduction in allergies and a strong immune system, the benefits of ingesting probiotics from yogurt are numerous. A Stanford University study also found that probiotics can play a crucial role in keeping weight off. A dash of honey, figs, berries and granola can jazz up an ordinary dish of yogurt.
- Low-fat dairy: A cold glass of milk at every meal can contribute to your bone health. Whether you’re in the growing stages of life, heading into menopause, or a senior, dairy products can be crucial to maintaining strong bones. Sufficient amounts of vitamin D can also help prevent fractures and breaks. Cheese, chocolate milk, cottage cheese and yogurt are easy food choices to incorporate into your diet.
- Combat high blood pressure: Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole-grains may be just as effective as your prescriptive medications. The potassium, magnesium and calcium found in dairy products were shown to play a key role in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
- Source of nutrition for vegetarians: If you’re a vegetarian, you know how important it is to get protein from other food sources. Dairy items such as milk, cheese and yogurt can afford you the necessary protein that you need to function properly. You can add variety to your selections with flavored milks, yogurts with fruit and different tasting cheeses.
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