Adults and kids take in about 400 calories per day as beverages, so it’s super important to remember that beverages can be a key source of nutrition in our diets, and should be carefully selected. Each 8 ounce glass of milk has nine essential nutrients including B vitamins (riboflavin, B-12 and niacin) for converting your food into energy. High-quality protein for lean muscle. Vitamin A for a healthy immune system. Potassium to help regulate the balance of fluids and bone-building nutrients like calcium, Vitamin D, and phosphorus.
Unlike many non-dairy milk alternatives, farm fresh, real dairy milk is naturally nutrient-rich.When you compare the ingredient list on milk to non-dairy milk alternatives, you may be surprised at what you find. Many non-dairy alternatives have 10 or more added ingredients including salt, sugar or thickeners like gums.
All of this and more is exactly why we drink a lot of milk around here, and it why I have two refrigerators that are constantly stocked with milk! So would you like to make sure to add more milk into your day? Here are some simple ways to do so.
Start The Day Off With Milk
Around here, milk is the makings of our morning routine. In fact, Anneliese will not even think about moving until she has had her first serving of milk! This can be easily done with delicious smoothies, shakes or even just a simple glass of ice cold milk.
Add Milk Into Your Day All Day Long
I live for those moments of “me” time where I can sit down and peruse new books on my e-reader, so how about settling down with that new book and a glass of milk?! Or how about adding a glass of milk at lunch time, rather than that sugary beverage, because you may not know this, but when you look at the nutrition label on a gallon of milk, you will find sugar listed. But that sugar is NOT added, it’s naturally-occurring lactose rather than added sugar. Because like I mentioned, many types of non-dairy milk, like almond milk, contain added sugar.
Fuel Up With Milk After And During School
I pack my kids lunches every morning, because that way they get the items they know they want to eat at school. It’s a simple thing to throw in an individual 8 ounce container of milk into lunches. My kids dig it, and milk helps keep those brain cells boosted during the school day.
After school is when play and organized sports time happens. So for snack time we start off with milk, because an 8 ounce glass of milk is a natural source of high-quality protein.
Plus at just about a quarter per serving, milk delivers more nutritional value per penny than just about any other beverage. The average American household spends about 10% of their budget on food – nearly $80 a week for grocers. One year of dairy milk will cost the average family $628 vs. $1,222 per year for vanilla almond milk. That’s nearly $600 per year in savings. Awesome, right?!
I hope this tutorial has helped you to find some more ways to add milk into your family’s day. You can also visit here for more content and recipes or follow along on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!
Love,
Jen
Comments
Love your advice on why to drink milk and have to agree as milk is most definitely a part of our regular diets here, too.
Janine Huldie recently posted…5 Easy Ways to Say Goodbye to Waiting in Lines at Disney World
Thanks Janine! Glad you are a fellow milk mom :)
Have a great one!
Jen recently posted…Why I Choose Milk For My Family
Milk…It does a body good.
Have a fabulous day. ♥
Sandee recently posted…Sparks
I remember that slogan! Still true :)
Jen recently posted…Layer On Love This Holiday
My kids love milk too! They cannot start their days without it! #client
Yay! It’s the stuff of legends around here for sure :)
Jen recently posted…Turkey Donuts
I completely agree about all the added ingredients in milk alternatives, Jen. My son loves milk. I make smoothies with spinach, milk, and fruit. They are so good for him on many levels. I feel like I’ve watched your daughter grow up :). Every time I see a picture of her, I realize how long I’ve known you!
Candace Playforth recently posted…7 Ways to Practice Self-Care When Anxiety Hits
Isn’t it crazy?! We have indeed known each other for a while. My youngest will be turning 5 next year and starting kindergarten. I can hardly believe it!
I love smoothies like that. Luckily my kids do too :)
Jen recently posted…How To Stay Hydrated, Manage Aches and Pains & Sleep Better!
Hi Jen, we go through litres of fresh milk every week. We go through so much I’ve even joked that it would be cheaper to keep a cow in the garden! A glass of cold milk (drunk through a straw), a vanilla or lemon cream filled doughnut and time to enjoy them and life is complete!
xx
Debbie recently posted…Monday Morning Blog Club 13/11/2017
Haha! Of course a donut and a glass of milk is at the top of everything awesome list!
I agree on the whole cow ownership idea. I have thought the same exact thing!!
Jen recently posted…How To Stay Hydrated, Manage Aches and Pains & Sleep Better!
Scarlet has always loved it but Des was a weird one-year-old who didn’t like it. I had to supplement with cheese and yogurt and ice cream. That last one was a joke!
That said, I’ll always choose milk for my family! Des is just plain weird.
Tamara recently posted…A Sore Throat Solution This Cold and Flu Season
Oh wait, ice cream isn’t a good source of dairy?? I have been doing it all wrong- or maybe all right?? :)
Des is adorable!
Jen recently posted…How To Stay Hydrated, Manage Aches and Pains & Sleep Better!
Yep, we’re definitely milk drinkers here. We typically go through 3 gallons a week which feels preposterous every time I add it to my list!
Leslie recently posted…Our Small White Kitchen | Clean and Classic
That sounds about right, although my Anneliese is taking milk drinking to a new high level of accomplishment!
Jen recently posted…The Christmas Freebie Fest You Don’t Want To Miss!