June 15, 2009

Dairy Did You Know

Did you know….

          - Enjoying 3 servings of milk, cheese or yogurt as part of a nutrient-rich, balanced diet may help to maintain a healthy weight?

          - The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming nutrient-rich dairy foods every day as part of a healthy diet to improve nutritional intake and to help manage calories whether you are dieting or not?

          - Studies show dairy foods, when consumed as part of a healthy diet, improve overall diet quality and may help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, hypertension, obesity, colon cancer and metabolic syndrome?

          - June is Dairy Month?

          The Boston University School of Medicine added another reason to celebrate June as Dairy month with its recent research on teens and dairy consumption.  Their study found that teens who consumed closer to three daily servings of dairy foods had less body fat and lower body mass indexes than those who consumed less dairy. The new study was published in the December 2008 Journal of the American College of Nutrition

          The study examined the link between body fat and dairy consumption in more than 10,000 U.S. children and adolescents who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) in 1988to 1994 and in 1999 to 2002.

          In both survey periods, the results demonstrated that a low dairy intake among 12-16 year-olds was associated with a higher body mass index and greater body fat.  For the study, low dairy intake was defined as less than one serving per day for girls and less than two servings per day for boys. 

          The National Dairy Council has several health reminders for us based on the study.  Childhood obesity is unfortunately a growing concern in the U.S. and of dairy products have a unique package of several essential nutrients.

          Specifically, the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourages children and adolescents 9 years of age and older to consume three servings of low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese or yogurt each day. The Dietary Guideline for Americans identified five “nutrients of concern”, including fiber, vitamin E, calcium, potassium and magnesium, for which children often have inadequate intakes. Dairy foods supply three of these shortfall nutrients—calcium, potassium and magnesium.

          In cooperation with the National Dairy Council, Kraft Foods has combined ingredients rich in calcium, fiber and protein into a flavorful favorite for kids.

          Easy To Please Yogurt Parfait 

Makes 1 servings 

Ingredients

1/2 cup lightly drained canned peach slices
1 cup vanilla flavored yogurt
1/2 cup raisin-bran cereal

          Layer peaches, yogurt and cereal in a glass or cup. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to eat.

Nutritional Facts per serving

          Calories: 360
          Fat: 3.5 g
          Saturated Fat: 2 g
          Cholesterol: 10 mg
          Sodium: 350 mg
          Calcium: 45% Daily Value
          Protein: 15 g
          Carbohydrates: 71 g
          Fiber: 5 g