The original item was published from June 1, 2018 10:51 AM to June 5, 2018 9:06 AM
| GET MILK FOR HEALTH BENEFITS |
Parents who drink milk or eat dairy products with their kids recognize the importance of a healthy diet. Each June, National Dairy Month highlights the nutritional and economic value of products like milk, butter, cheese, yogurt and ice cream.
Why Dairy?
Providing calcium, vitamins, potassium, protein and other nutrients, the benefits of dairy products go far beyond just making bones and teeth bones stronger. Eating three servings — a serving of dairy consists of one cup of milk or yogurt, 1 ½ ounces of natural cheese, 2 ounces of processed cheese or two small scoops of ice cream — every day helps promote bone health, healthy blood pressure and healthy weight. Choose fat-free or low-fat options to reduce calories without losing any essential nutrients.
Try these recipes with dairy as a main ingredient.
Raw Milk vs. Pasteurization
Pasteurization heats milk to at least 161° Fahrenheit for 15 seconds to kill disease-causing bacteria. Named after scientist Louis Pasteur, the process has been used routinely on milk products in the United States for more than 100 years and required for any consumer dairy products that are sold across state lines. This process only impacts the harmful bacteria and does not affect the nutritional value or taste of the product.
Although advocated by some and legally sold in Missouri, the Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly discourage individuals from consuming unpasteurized dairy products. Regardless of how clean the processing and how healthy the animals may be, non-pasteurized products can contain those harmful bacteria, and those who drink or consume those products can get very sick. Between 1993 and 2012, about 127 illness outbreaks involving Campylobacter, Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli and other bacteria were reported to be a result of individuals consuming raw milk products.
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