June is National Dairy Month, a time of year that all ice cream lovers should celebrate (although it’s hard to celebrate without Blue Bell).  Dairy products are included in so many good foods such as cheese, ice cream, and yogurt.

Did you know that people nine years and older should eat three servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy products every day?  Most people only eat two servings each day, so be sure to add some good-tasting dairy to your meals.  One serving of dairy is equal to 1 cup (8 oz) of milk, 1 cup (8 oz) of yogurt, 1.5 ounces of reduced-fat cheese, or 1/3 cup reduced-fat shredded cheese.

Try incorporating dairy into your diet with these tips:

Breakfast:

• Breakfast Sandwich – toast a whole-wheat English muffin and top with an egg and reduced-fat cheese slice.
• Morning Mocha – mix a cup of low-fat chocolate milk with a teaspoon of instant coffee.
• Yogurt Parfait – top low-fat or fat-free yogurt with fruit slices and granola.

Lunch:

• Gourmet Grilled Cheese – start with the basics (whole-wheat bread, reduced-fat American cheese) and add avocado and tomato.
• Pizza Pita – top a whole-grain pita with pizza sauce, reduced-fat shredded cheese and your favorite toppings.
• Super Spud – try a baked potato with low-fat plain yogurt, reduced-fat shredded cheese, black pepper and your favorite steamed veggies.

Snacks:

• Chocolate Banana Milkshake – blend a cup of low-fat chocolate milk, a banana and ice cubes.
• Dip It – cut up pieces of fruit and include low-fat or fat-free vanilla yogurt as a tasty dip.
• Yogurt-sicles – pour low-fat yogurt into small paper cups, insert small wooden sticks and freeze.
• Fruit-and-Cheese Kabobs – alternate slices of apple and reduced-fat cheese cubes on small wooden skewers.