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Dairy Facts

graphic of dairy products including cheese, milk carton

Dairy facts and general information about dairy products.

Where do Dairy Products Come From:

All dairy products come from milk.
Dairy products include milk, cheese, and yogurt.

Why we Need Dairy Products:

Dairy products provide calcium and this is especially important in women and children.
Why do kids need calcium?

Strengthen bones
Help prevent osteoporosis later in life
Keeps mouths healthy

How much Dairy Products Do We Need:

Kids Daily Calcium needs

Birth to 6 months 210 mg

6-12 months 270 mg

1-3 years old 500 mg (about 1 1/2 glasses a day)

4-8 years old 800 mg (about 2 1/2 glasses a day)

9-18 years old 1,300 mg (about 4 1/2 glasses of milk)

I don't know about your house but I have one child who doesn't like milk or cheese. After reading this information and realizing how much he is lacking I'm going to have to come up with new ways to introduce dairy.

Natural Institutes of Health has a booklet on ideas to add calcium to your kids breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner. You can find it at their site.

What is One Serving of Dairy:

Here are some of the Natural Institutes of Health ideas for one serving:

Fruit or plain yogurt

1 Cup Orange juice with added calcium

1 Cup Ricotta cheese

1/2 Cup Low fat or fat free cheese 2 ounces

milk 1 cup

Soybeans 1 Cup

Cheddar cheese 1/2 Cup

Tofu with added calcium 1/2 Cup

Cheese pizza 1 slice

Raw broccoli, 1 stalk

Cooked broccoli, 1 cup

Bok choy, 1 Cup

Spinach, cooked 1/2 Cup

Frozen yogurt vanilla 1/2 Cup

Macaroni and cheese 1 Cup

Almonds 1 ounce

1 tortilla corn or flour

Some Things You Can Find Dairy Products in:

Ice cream

Frozen yogurt

Milk based pudding

Hard or soft cheeses

Cream cheese

Cottage cheese

Yogurt plain or flavored

Yogurt drinks

Milk, soy milk, flavored milk

How to Make Homemade Butter

You will need:
Whipping cream at room temperature
Small jar
Pour a Tablespoon of whipping cream that has been warmed to room temperature in a small jar such as a baby food jar.

cream for making homemade butter

Place the lid on and shake continuously. Take turns with other family members or friends.

shaking homemade butter

Keep shaking until the cream forms into a ball. Pour off the excess milk and add a little salt to your homemade butter if desired.

homemade butter

How Do You Make Yogurt?

Yogurt is made by using milk and a store bought plain yogurt (because you need live cultures). Then cooking and incubating the mixture for several hours. Get started m aking your own yogurt at home.

Would you like all our food fact sheets in an easy to read format and compiled in one ebook?