2012 is your year. Whether you resolve to stay fit and be active, reign in your spending or be more present with your family — dairy makes sense.
Fuel Up with Nutrient-Rich Foods
After holiday indulgences, January is the perfect time to focus on eating more nutritiously. Making food choices for a healthy lifestyle can be as simple as following these ideas to balance your calories, to choose foods to eat more often, and to cut back on foods to eat less often. Whatever you are cooking up, just be sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat or fat-free dairy foods.
Fuel Up with Nutrient-Rich Foods
Diet and exercise go hand in hand, so it’s no surprise gyms see an increase in memberships at the beginning of a new year. But remember getting fit doesn’t require spending a lot of money on a fancy gym. Take advantage of the space you have at home, common household items and the great outdoors. Even sledding counts!
As your family finds time for fitness, be sure to refuel your bodies. Did you know that no other drink provides the nutrient combination found in chocolate milk?
- Chocolate milk is 90% water and a great tasting choice after exercise, practices and games to replace fluids and prevent dehydration
- Chocolate milk is 90% water and a great tasting choice after exercise, practices and games to replace fluids and prevent dehydration
- The carbohydrate in milk fuels muscles during exercise and refuels muscles after exercise
- The protein in milk contains all the essential amino acids to maintain healthy muscles
- Plus, there are 8 other essential nutrients, making milk a nutritional powerhouse
Learn more about sports nutrition, from choosing the highest quality protein to comparing the nutritional value of the most common post-workout beverages.
Be a Better Budgeter
Saving money to finally take that summer vacation? Setting aside a nest egg? Or even just looking to eat out less? Dollar for dollar, dairy is one of the most economical sources of nutrition.
| Milk | Buy milk by the gallon to stretch your dollar. An 8-ounce glass of milk costs about 25 cents, significantly less than the average sports drink or soy beverage. |
| Yogurt | Buy low-fat, plain yogurt by the quart. Flavor it yourself and use it as an ingredient for healthier recipes. |
| Cheese | Cheese is most cost-effective when purchased in block form. Shred cheese over vegetables or casseroles or cut it into bite-size chunks for a quick snack. |
For example, this tasty tuna melt feeds a family of four for less than $3.00
Find More Time for Family
Now is the perfect time to get back to the kitchen and back to the table — by making family meals such as breakfast and dinner a central part of your day. Time together builds stronger bonds and creates memories that will last a lifetime. This year, start a mealtime tradition that will encourage conversation such as having each person share at least one thing about their day.
Another plus to family meals? Because you have control over what is served, the meals are likely to be more nutritious and include fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and low-fat dairy. One of the biggest time and money savers is planning ahead. Despite busy schedules, stocking your pantry and refrigerator with foods you feel good about will reduce the need for fast food trips. Plus, involving your child in the meal planning, purchasing and preparation process also will increase the likelihood they will eat and enjoy the healthy foods served.
