June is Dairy Month

The Dairy Group includes milk, yogurt, cheese, and fortified soymilk

Provides calcium, vitamin D, potassium, protein, and other nutrients needed for good health throughout life
Choices should be low-fat or fat-free - to cut calories and saturated fat

How much is needed?
Older children, teens, and adults need 3 cups a day
Children 4 to 8 years old need 2 1/2 cups
Children 2 to 3 years old need 2 cups

What counts as a cup in the Dairy Group?
1 cup of milk or yogurt
1 1/2 ounces of natural cheese, or 2 ounces of processed cheese

Try these Recipes:

Easy to Please Breakfast Yogurt Parfait
Ingredients:
1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup crunchy low-fat cereal or granola divided
1/2 cup fresh fruit, sliced (i.e. strawberries, blueberries, bananas)
Preparation:
Spoon half of the yogurt in the bottom of a bowl or tall glass
Add 2T. cereal and 1/2 cup fruit
Spoon rest of yogurt and top with remaining 2T. of cereal
Substitution Idea:
Use any favorite flavor of yogurt as a base. Can also substitute canned fruit (drained) for fresh fruit

Peanut Butter and Banana Breakfast Shake
Ingredients:
1 cup of fat-free or 1% low-fat chocolate milk
1/2 cup banana slices
1T. peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a blender; blend until smooth and creamy.
Serve in a tall glass or on-the-go drink container

From MyPyramid to MyPlate

June 2, 2001 - First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled the federal government's new food icon, MyPlate, to serve as a reminder to help consumers make healthier food choices. MyPlate is a new generation icon with the intent to prompt consumers to think about building a healthy plate at meal times and to seek information to help do that by going to http://www.choosemyplate.gov/  The new MyPlate icon emphasizes the fruit, vegetable, grains, protein and dairy food groups.

2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans -

Guidelines Messages Include:

Balance Calories

Enjoy your food, but eat less
Avoid oversized portions

Foods to Increase
Make half your plate fruits and vegetables
Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk

Make at least healf your grains whole grains

Foods to Reduce

Compare sodium (salt) in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals, and choose foods with lower numbers

Drink water instead of sugary drinks