Originally National Dairy Month was a promotion by grocery stores to buy more milk!
Now we promote the health benefits we receive from milk and milk products during National Dairy Month.
According to the National Dairy Association, there are a few fun facts and figures to keep in mind while celebrating National Dairy Month during June:
- 97% of dairy farms are family owned and operated.
- It takes about:
10 pounds of milk to make 1 pound of cheese
12 pounds of whole milk to make 1 gallon of ice cream
approx. 21.8 pounds of milk to make 1 pound of butter
- To get the amount of calcium in an 8 ounce glass of milk, you would have to eat 7 oranges or 6 slices of wheat bread.
- The average American consumes almost 25 gallons of milk per year.
- Americans eat more than 300,000 tons of yogurt per year.
- About 300 varieties of cheese are sold in the US, with the most popular cheese being cheddar.
Dairy Products
The dairy group includes low-fat and fat-free dairy, such as milk, yogurt, cheese or fortified soy beverages (commonly known as soymilk). Other products sold as “milks” made from plants, such as rice, almond, coconut, and hemp “milks,” may contain calcium, but are not included in the dairy group because their overall nutrient content is not similar to dairy milk and fortified soy beverages.
Dairy-Free Calcium Options
There are calcium choices for those who do not consume dairy products, though they are not part of the Dairy Group. The amount of calcium that can be absorbed from these foods varies. -Calcium-fortified juices, cereals, breads, rice milk, or almond milk -Canned fish (sardines, salmon with bones) -Soybeans, soy products (tofu made with calcium sulfate, soy yogurt, tempeh), and some other beans -Some leafy greens (collard and turnip greens, kale, bok choy).
Dairy choices are healthiest when they are consumed as low-fat or fat free.
Remember, Strong bodies need strong bones. Milk Matters!!
Start simple, the benefits of healthy eating add up over time, bite by bite!