Deciphering The Dairy Case: Secrets, Stories And Facts About Milk (NAPSA)—Drink—milk—to your good health. A few facts can help you and your family enjoy the many great nutrients and health benefits that milk can offer while customiz- ing your milk choice. Milk’s been a part of the American diet since the 1600s! Thefirst dairy cow arrived on the East Coast in the Jamestown Colony around 1611 and priests brought cows to the West Coast via Baja, California, around 1679. Today, milk goes from cow to dairy aisle in just about two days, which meansgetting the freshest possible beverage is as easy as a trip to the grocery store. Milk helps build strong bones and scientists now say it also helps reduce blood pressure, boost immunity, ward against diabetes, protect against certain types of cancer and can even help you lose weight. One cup of milk costs about 25 cents and is loaded with vitamins and nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, protein and potassium. * To get the same calcium in a glass of milk, you’d have to eat 12 servings of whole grains, 10 cups of raw spinach or 6 servings of beans (legumes), so raise a glass! Lactose-free milk is a great option for people who have lactose intolerance. They may also be able to tolerate foods cooked with milk or eat cheese and yogurt. Pediatricians recommend that kids drink whole or reduced-fat milk between the ages of 1 and 2. At this age, children need fat in their diets for nerve and brain development and milk is a good source, plusit’s one that most kidslike. Most Americansfall below the three cups of milk a day recommended by the USDA—butthere are many easy and enjoyable ways to serve milk: glasses with dinner, cream soups, lattes, pudding for One cup of milk—whether whole, low-fat or fat-free—provides: Your Daily Value (DV) of Calcium 30% DVof Riboflavin 26% DVof Vitamin D 25% DVof Phosphorus 25% DVof Vitamin B-12 22% DVof Protein 16% DVof Potassium 1% DVof Vitamin A 10% DVof Niacin 10% @ One cup of milk provides an irreplaceable package of nine essen- tial nutrients for just 25 cents a serving! dessert, even hot cocoa to start your day or wind down yournight. For example, here’s one great way to enjoy milk: Chocorazz Smoothie 1 medium banana,sliced and frozen 1 cup fat-free chocolate milk % cup raspberry low-fat yogurt Place banana, chocolate milk and yogurt in blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into 2 glasses. Serve immediately. Learn More You can get more facts, tips and recipes from Dairy Council of California, online at www.Healthy Eating.org/milk-dairy and at (866) 572-1359.
