Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month®?
National Nutrition Month invites us to learn about making healthy food choices and developing better physical activity habits. We can’t think of a better way to create healthy food habits than with combining dairy + plants. This duo of superfoods is a power couple that provides your daily needs of nutrients, including calcium, vitamin A, B vitamins, and much more.
Unfortunately, many Americans are falling short on the recommended intakes for dairy, fruit and vegetables. According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans nearly 90 percent of the U.S. population is not meeting the daily recommendation of three servings of low-fat and nonfat dairy foods. This includes milk, cheese, and yogurt, along with lactose-free options. Likewise, 80 percent of the population is not meeting the daily fruit and vegetable recommendation of five servings per day.
Without getting in the recommended servings of dairy, fruits, and vegetables, many of us are missing out on the benefits that dairy and plants provide, from reduced risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes to improving bone health. Dairy provides high quality protein, while fruits and vegetables are loaded in fiber. Both play a key role in weight management and healthy aging.
So how do we boost our intake of dairy and plants? You can enjoy them together in satisfying ways including salads, smoothies, and grain bowls! We’ll show you how to “Choose Your Own Adventure” when it comes to personalizing your plate with dairy + plants, and help you find some new favorite combos below.
Download one, two, or all three of our adventures to begin your easy-to-make, nutritiously delicious culinary journey!
