BROOKINGS, S.D. — It’s the new year, which means many of us are striving toward New Year’s resolutions. However, that often means seeking “the next best thing” which might be a new product or fad diet. Unfortunately, consumers are often willing to shell out money for the latest and greatest secret. These new fad diets and products are often impractical and in general, might not be very good for us.
Dairy: Clean & clear nutrition
My advice is to skip the total diet overhaul or latest fad, and keep it simple in 2017 by focusing on small but powerful changes that can help you clean up your diet. “Clean” is a trendy word that has many different definitions but usually involves a product with fewer ingredients. With just three ingredients, milk is the original clean and clear food, unlike trendy milk alternatives, which may contain up to ten ingredients.
As a registered dietitian, one of my favorite things about dairy is that it can easily be incorporated into meals and snacks to help make healthy and clean eating simple. In addition to calcium, milk, cheese and yogurt actually provide nine essential nutrients, including protein to support muscle health. Getting the recommended three servings of dairy every day is easy, once you discover the possibilities.
2017 Dairy Diet Tips
See my tips below for using dairy to clean up your diet in 2017:
- Make milk – white or flavored – your mealtime beverage. All milk contains nine essential nutrients; think of it as nutrition in disguise!
- Solve breakfast boredom. Build a breakfast parfait with your favorite yogurt, fruit and whole grain cereal. Or, mix things up with milk or yogurt by blending a smoothie. Try our Easy to Please Yogurt Parfait.
- Sneak in healthier eating by pairing cheese with fresh fruit or vegetables. Research shows when cheese is coupled with these foods, it helps kids eat more of all of them.
- No need to reach for a fancy sports drink after a workout. Instead, recover with a tall glass of chocolate milk; it’s been proven to be more effective in aiding tired muscles.
- Boost nutrition and flavor by adding shredded cheese to casseroles, soups and pasta dishes, or sprinkle on top of tacos and chili. Try our Cheesy Broccoli Potato Soup.
For recipes and information on dairy’s undercover nutrition, visit MidwestDairy.com.
— Whitney Jerman under the direction and review of Ann Schwader, SDSU Extension
For more news from South Dakota, click here.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont cheese and butter makers won a total of 40 awards, including multiple firsts, at the American Cheese Society Awards. Congratulations: JASPER HILL FARMS CABOT CREAMERY COOPERATIVE VERMONT CREAMERY MAPLEBROOK FARM GRAFTON VILLAGE CHEESE COMPANY SPRING BROOK FARM SAGE FARM GOAT DAIRY In addition to the ACS awards, both Jasper Hill Farms and Vermont […]
WEST ALLIS, Wis. — Dairy manufacturers from throughout the state submitted over 300 entries for the 2022 Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Products Contest, which took place June 23 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park. The contest featured over 40 classes for cheese, sour cream, butter, yogurt, and milk. The 2022 Grand Master Cheesemaker, Grand Champion Butter, […]
ARLINGTON, Va. — It’s a shame to even have to say this, but it’s 2021, so just to be clear: Logic matters. Consistency matters. That’s why a new FDA rule that defines what is and isn’t yogurt has much broader, and potentially very positive, implications in one of the most contested consumer issues of the […]
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Dairy manufacturers from throughout the state submitted 417 entries for the 2021 Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Products Contest, which took place June 24 at Wisconsin State Fair Park. The contest featured 49 classes, including new classes for cheese curds, custard and edam and gouda. The 2021 Grand Master Cheesemaker, Grand Champion Butter, […]
ALBANY — New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball today, on National Cheese Day, kicked off Dairy Month with a visit to Ideal Dairy Farms and Argyle Cheese Farmer in Hudson Falls. Joined by state elected officials, the Commissioner first visited Argyle Cheese Farmer, a NYS Grown & Certified farm, which purchased and opened […]
