Dairy Health Food

Nutrition guidelines recommend adults consume 3 servings of dairy products per day. Low-fat yogurt provides 11 grams of protein, 250 calories, and almost 400 mg of calcium per 8-ounce serving. Low-fat yogurt can also help meet your daily requirement for vitamin B12, vitamin D, and vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Adequate levels of vitamin D and other nutrients are necessary for robust immune function. Yogurt is rich in probiotics, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, and Bifidus. These strains boost immune function and may even help reduce both the length and severity of colds. Beneficial gut flora are needed for proper digestion, detoxification, and immune function. Probiotics even help reduce eczema symptoms in babies.

5 Ways to Eat Yogurt

Most people eat yogurt straight out of the cup, but there are many other ways to enjoy this immune-boosting food.

• Mix yogurt, fruit juice, and a bit of honey. Pour into molds and freeze to make yogurt pops.
• Enjoy cucumber salad with yogurt dill dressing.
• Make coleslaw with yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
• Serve fish topped with minted yogurt sauce.
• Use yogurt in creamy soup recipes to give them a tart kick.