The Dairy Digest - Big Y® World Class Market®

Health and Nutrition News You Can use

When it comes to dairy foods, three truly is the magic number. Making sure you get your three-a-day of dairy is important not just for your bones and teeth, but for a wealth of other health and nutrition reasons you might not have thought about before.

D is for Dairy

You might know that your milk is fortified with vitamin D — or you might not. Most of us don’t get enough of this precious nutrient, which is believed to help prevent everything from cancer to diabetes to multiple sclerosis. It’s especially essential that children get enough vitamin D, which is why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently doubled its recommended daily amount for children. Our bodies can get vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, but that’s not always easy; plus, using sunblock also prevents your body from synthesizing vitamin D. The best way to ensure you and your kids get enough D is to drink at least three eight-ounce glasses of milk every day.

The Calcium/Weight Loss Connection
Need another reason to make sure you get your three-a-day? Here’s one you can’t deny: A healthy, well-balanced diet that is also high in calcium from dairy products has been proven to help reduce body fat. Sound impossible? It seems that calcium found in dairy items blocks fat production while helping maintain lean body mass — the perfect combination for maintaining a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI). This has been shown to be especially effective in teens and young women; those who include at least three servings of dairy products in their daily diets have been shown to have a much lower chance of being overweight or obese. The key is to include a variety of low- and nonfat dairy foods in your everyday diet, such as fat free yogurt, skim milk or lowfat cheese.

The Power of Protein
When you think of protein, what comes to mind? A thick steak or a juicy burger? Believe it or not, your favorite dairy products — milk, cheese, yogurt — are lowfat, high-nutrient sources of high-quality, “perfect” proteins. Protein is an essential building block of a good diet. It helps build muscle mass and bone density, keeps your cholesterol levels low and helps you maintain a healthy weight. And because of their chemical makeup, the proteins found in dairy products are easier for the body to break down and use. Getting your three servings a day is an easy and delicious way to add these healthy compounds to your diet.

The Essential Eight
In addition to being an excellent source of calcium, dairy products contain other important nutrients. It seems that milk, cheese and other dairy items are good sources of:

Potassium, which helps your body maintain proper fluid levels and blood pressure

Phosphorus, which helps strengthen bones and create energy

Protein, which helps build and maintain muscle tissue

Vitamin D, which helps strengthen bones and teeth and may help prevent everything from diabetes to cancer

Vitamin A, which helps your eyesight, skin and immune system

Vitamin B12, which is an essential building block of DNA and red blood cells

Vitamin B2, which your body needs to convert food into energy

Niacin, which helps your metabolism

Just one look at the facts proves that dairy products are more than just delicious. They’re essential building blocks of a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Just one look at the facts proves that dairy products are more than just delicious. They’re essential building blocks of a healthy, well-balanced diet.

Source: Information courtesy of the National Dairy Council

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