Food and health are deeply connected – the quality and quantity of nutrient rich foods throughout our life is directly related to how we grow and stay well. I count our regional access to diverse types of farms and agricultural products as a big win for our customers and communities, especially the number of dairy farms and the range of products dairy contributes to wellbeing. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans₁ persistently recommend 3 servings of dairy per day because it is a familiar, accessible and delicious way to get a significant amount of nutrients in each serving – some of which are nutrients, like calcium, potassium, Vitamin D, and fiber, we are not getting enough of for optimal health.₂ Check out how dairy foods fuel wellness for all ages and stages!

Infants and toddlers – benefit from Mom’s intake of dairy, such as milk and yogurt, while they are pregnant and nursing, with B12 and Choline supporting red blood cell production for Mom and baby, and the growth of infant brains. Toddlers transition to whole milk at about 1 year old because it has a powerful matrix of nutrients that support overall physical and cognitive health and growth. In fact, milk and water are the primary beverages recommended for toddlers and children through age 5. For them, dairy fuels growth, muscle and bone development,₃ and helps build immunity, with its protein, Vitamin A and D, zinc and selenium content.₄ This is also why milk and dairy are such a focus in schools – both regular and chocolate milk fuel growth and wellness throughout their school years. During that time milk and dairy are considered “vehicle” foods – they deliver a range of critical nutrients whether they are enjoyed alone or with other foods, like fruit and whole grains, when snacking or eating a meal. Teens are often way below the dairy intake they need, so encouraging some deliberate focus on dairy intake is a smart move. Adolescence is a unique time of growth, particularly for increasing bone mass and density to prepare for adulthood needs.₁ We are only ‘young’ for the first 18 years – the quality and quantity of the remaining 60+ years is partially built on the food and health habits of those critical growing stages.

The Summer 2024 Olympics are in full swing, which brings me to fueling adults and performance, whatever that may be, including sports, hobbies, training and working the full spectrum of jobs and careers, having families and managing the general chaos of busy lives. All of that requires fuel to support your best efforts, whether it be to win the gold medal, or “win” from having the health, stamina, and energy to seek your most optimal path through life. We all have a need to ensure we can perform whatever actions required to live well and reach our goals. For those Olympians, who may be participating in more than one event, chocolate milk, yogurt and cheese sticks are go-to refuelers, providing hydration, electrolytes, protein and carbohydrates to refuel and recover quickly between sports events. Hard-working adults have a similar level of stress on body systems – maintaining a regular habit of enjoying dairy may be just the thing you need to enjoy the fruits of your labor and everything else!₁

Dairy delivers wholesome goodness, again and again, to our glasses and plates, supporting the wellbeing, energy, enjoyment and vitality that brings richness to our lives. Enjoy!