Great tips to continue dairy in your diet for 2017

Great tips to continue for the new year from Dairy Farmers of Washington, by: Chelsi Riordan. 

If you’ve already Googled New Year’s Resolution Ideas, this is what you probably saw: eat less, sit less, spend less, read more, play more, meditate more, pick up a new hobby. For so many, New Year’s Resolutions conjure up the overwhelming idea of a complete lifestyle overhaul. Truth be told, it’s likely that many of your current habits can simply be reinforced to get you to a healthier you.
Our New Year’s Resolution Idea? Milk, Cheese, and Yogurt.

1. Keep Drinking Milk. Drinking milk doesn’t have to just be a big pour in your breakfast cereal and a tall glass with your dinner. Try keeping a fresh gallon in your fridge for:
   • Coffee: Add a splash to your morning cup or order sugar-free lattes instead of Americanos when you’re out.
   • Soups: Substitute half of your recipe for soup stock with milk, it not only adds creaminess, but substitutes sodium for protein.
   • Breakfast basics: Add a bit of milk to your oatmeal instead of finishing it with water. Milk contributes quality protein to a breakfast meal.
   • Warm it up: Hot chocolate, Chai tea lattes, and tea with milk taste great warm all day.
2. Keep Enjoying Cheese. An ounce of cheese (or about a standard slice) counts as a serving. Most find it irresistible by itself; but for those looking for some variety, try:
   • Enhancing a vegetable dish: Shred a dash of cheese over cooked vegetables instead of salt, try a hard parmesan cheese over roasted Brussel sprouts or a sharp cheddar over cooked green beans.
   • Melt it: Sandwiches (name your favorite) tend to be tastier warmed up. Toast slices of whole wheat bread in the toaster, add a thin slice of cheese then add your favorite toppings. Cheese keeps the bread soft and turns any office toaster into a deluxe afternoon lunch tool.
3. Keep Yogurt in the Fridge. Yogurt provides a nutrition punch and a healthy serving of protein. Keep individual containers or a full quart of your favorite flavor in your fridge for:
   • Breakfast parfaits. Keep some shelf stable staples around so you always have the makings for a protein-packed breakfast or afternoon snack. Granola, raisins, chopped nuts and honey all store well and taste great layered between scoops of yogurt.
   • Start blending. Since you already have fresh milk, add a splash to a few scoops of yogurt, frozen fruit and a small handful of fresh greens, bananas or other fresh fruits for a blended healthy treat.
   • Dip: Add fixings to yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
   • Substitute: Plain yogurt for sour cream in recipes (chili, beef stroganoff, etc.) or buttermilk (pancakes, muffins, scones, etc.)

Three servings of dairy a day is a part of a healthy lifestyle, that provides not just the nutrients but the taste you need to MAINTAIN a healthy lifestyle.