West Lakes Hy-Vee Dietitians: June is National Dairy Month!

The month of June is going to be hot! Why not cool off with a cold glass of milk or delicious frozen berries on top of thick, creamy Greek yogurt? June is National Dairy Month and this blog entry shines the spotlight on low-fat dairy options for you and your family to try. By increasing the amount of dairy products in your diet, you increase your intake of important nutrients like protein, calcium and vitamins. Choosing low-fat diary products is best in order to keep unhealthy fat and extra calories in check, yet still reap the benefits of nutrient-rich dairy.

As mentioned above, dairy is a great source of calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption, promotes strong bones and may also lower blood pressure. Dairy also may lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease and may help individuals regulate their weight. Dairy has a lot to offer in fueling a healthy body. Skim or 1% low-fat milk, low-fat yogurt, cottage cheese or reduced-fat cheese are all healthy dairy options. Dairy products that are made with 2% or whole milk contain higher amounts of saturated fat, which has been shown to increase cholesterol levels and have a negative impact on heart health in some people. It is important to note that saturated fat can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. For individual saturated fat recommendations, consult with your West Lakes Hy-Vee dietitians.

Try adding these healthy dairy products recommended by your West Lakes Hy-Vee dietitians to your diet! A list is also included below highlighting products for those who are dairy intolerant.

Babybel Light Cheese

Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese

AE Cottage Cheese with Sea Salt (2% Milkfat)

Siggi's Yogurt

Oikos Triple Zero Greek Yogurt

Hy-Vee Light String Cheese

Hy-Vee Skim Milk

If you are dairy intolerant or do not eat dairy, try the following dairy-free alternatives! Dairy-free alternatives tend to be lower in calories and protein than dairy products. The good thing about dairy-free alternatives is that products such as almond, cashew and coconut milk still give you a good source of vitamin D and calcium, similar to dairy products themselves.

Hy-Vee Unsweetened Almond Milk

Almond milk is a good source of calcium and vitamin D, but low in protein compared to 8 grams of protein per serving of fat-free dairy milk.

Unsweetened Cashew Milk

Cashew milk is also a great source of calcium and vitamin D as well as vitamin E, which is beneficial for your immune system. Cashew milk is low in protein.

Unsweetened Coconut Milk