Nourish your New Year
Turkey, green beans, sweet potatoes—we were doing pretty well with our nutritious diet over the holidays until we added candy canes, gingerbread cookies and chocolates to the mix.
Vary Your Dairy
Shake things up a bit to get the most out of your meals. Together, milk, cheese and yogurt provide a powerful package of nine essential nutrients. Try these simple ideas to fit dairy foods into your family’s day:
- Give milk a magical makeover with chocolate, strawberry, banana or vanilla flavors. Kids who drink flavored milk typically have a greater total milk intake and drink fewer soft drinks compared to kids that don’t.
- Decorate dishes: shred Cheddar on salads, Parmesan on pasta, swirl low-fat sour cream in soup or add a dollop of lite whipped cream on dessert.
- Start and end the day with yummy drinks—try an eye-opening Sunrise Smoothie for breakfast and a soothing Mint Patty Steamer before bed.
Pass the Cheese, Please
Nourishment goes beyond good nutrition. Let your kids know that you care and you’re there by building in some after-school or weekend together time to make these cheesy-good snacks:
- Salsa Roll-Up: Roll Monterey Jack cheese into a whole-wheat tortilla and dip in salsa.
- Cheese Ka-bob: Alternate small slices of apples and reduced-fat Cheddar cheese on skewers.
- Cheddar Crunch: Mix ½ cup of Cheddar cheese shreds with popcorn and pretzels.
- Zesty Tostada: Top a tostada with fat-free refried beans and reduced-fat shredded Pepper Jack cheese.
- Lettuce Wraps: Wrap a slice of Swiss cheese, turkey, and Dijon mustard in lettuce leaves.
Nutrient-rich snacks are the easiest way to fit more dairy foods into your family’s diet. It doesn’t matter how you do it—just change it up and make it fun! Get even more snack tips here or learn how to boost any meal with nutritious dairy by using our “Power of 3” Planner.