Why is milk important in my diet?

Drink your milk

So we’ve all heard that milk is an important part of our diet, but do you know why? We give it to our kids to drink at dinner and choose milk over sodas to be healthy, but what is it about milk that makes it a must for your diet? We have the answers.

Calcium is a must

Calcium is not the only important reason to add milk to your diet, but it's a pretty big one. Calcium salts build up the substance of our bones, so increasing our calcium intake ensures strong and healthy bones for walking, running and everyday activities. The recommended daily allowance of calcium is approximately 800 to 1,000 mg, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that majority of Americans consume only 500 to 700 mg per day, which is not enough. Add the cold, creamy drink to your diet, and the increased calcium will help lower your risk for osteoporosis and colon cancer.

The perfect package of vitamins

Milk is considered the "perfect package" of nutrients and vitamins because in addition to calcium, it contains potassium, phosphorus, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin A, riboflavin and niacin. Why are those important to you? All of these nutrients contribute to overall health. Potassium helps maintain healthy blood pressure, while vitamin B12 helps maintain healthy red blood cells and nerve tissue. Vitamins keep your immune system at its best, as well as contribute to good vision and skin.

Maintaining a healthy weight

Milk plays a major role in helping maintain a healthy body weight. Riboflavin and niacin convert food into energy and metabolize sugars and fatty acids. A glass of milk also contains approximately 8 grams of protein, which helps rebuild muscles and keeps you full throughout the day.

Convinced yet? We are!

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