June is Dairy Month

    By: Jacqueline Gomes, RDN, MBA

    Celebrate milk, cheese and yogurt! Dairy products are good sources of vitamin D and calcium – nutrients vital to good health. How much do you need? 3-A-Day, that’s 3 servings of milk, cheese or yogurt!

    • Vitamin D not only helps maintain blood calcium and phosphorus levels, it aids in the absorption of calcium to form and maintain strong bones.
    • Recent studies show that vitamin D may also protect from osteoporosis, hypertension, cancer and several autoimmune diseases!
    • Milk, like Fairlife milk contains an excellent source of protein – needed to build strong muscle and can support a healthy weight.

     

    Tropical Green Smoothie

    a tropical green smoothie in a glass

    Prep: 5 minutes

    Makes: 1 Serving

     

    Ingredients:

    • 3/4 cup, fairlife® Fat Free or 1% ultra-filtered milk
    • 1 cup fresh baby spinach or baby kale
    • 1 ripe banana
    • 2/3 cup fresh or frozen diced pineapple
    • zest of 1 whole lime and squeeze of 1 lime wedge
    • 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • pinch of ground cinnamon
    • 3/4 cup ice (optional, to enjoy cold immediately)

     

    Directions:

    1. combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. to make in advance and refrigerate, omit the ice.
    2. serve and enjoy!

     

    Nutrition Information: 252 Calories; 52g Carbohydrate; 0g Fat; 15g protein; 154mg sodium; 5g Fiber

    Recipe adapted from Fairlife.com