Three Ways to Get Your Teens on Board with Dairy
Your teen is growing up fast and making many of their own decisions, including what they eat.
When it comes to providing foods that appeal to them, it’s important to include dairy products, such as milk. Dairy products are the best source of bone-building nutrients, including calcium. At this point in their growth, teens are building bones at an amazing speed and need these nutrients.
You or your teen may hear that dairy isn’t needed because other foods provide calcium and Vitamin D. But they would need to eat a lot more of some of these foods than we think is realistic. For example, they would need to eat 10 cups of raw spinach to equal one glass of milk.
Teens are heavily influenced by who and what they see around them and like to stay on top of the trends. Here are three fun, trendy ways to get your teen on board with choosing dairy! Let’s give them something to post about!
1. Smoothies
Smoothies have never been more popular. The concept behind a smoothie is quite genius: blend up some nutrient-rich foods into an easy-to-make, easy -to-take beverage. The beauty of a smoothie is its versatility. While you can certainly purchase ready-made smoothies, it’s much more budget-friendly to create your own at home with milk or yogurt and whatever fruit you have on hand. Try our Strawberry Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothie for a quick and nutritious breakfast.
2. Charcuterie Board
Hard to spell and say, but easy to put together. A charcuterie board is an assortment of sliced cheese, crackers, meat, fruit and nuts. Inspire your teen to take in more calcium and protein by assembling a charcuterie board for a snack, or even a meal. For the cheese, try sharp aged Cheddar, creamy Brie, or tangy Swiss. Pile up some whole grain crackers, sliced fruit and nuts to round out the board. This trendy tray is a great way to encourage dairy intake in a grown-up way!
3. Sweet, yet Nutritious Treats
Have an aspiring chef in your home? Offer your teen some of these great recipe ideas to up their dairy ante and kitchen game! Craving a sweet treat? These Cafe au Lait Cheesecake Bars are made with both cottage cheese and Greek yogurt. Or, try this Granola and Dried Fruit Greek Yogurt Bark, an awesome after school treat! Dairy can be extremely versatile in baked goods and other recipes.
Bonus Suggestion!
Don’t forget lattes! Made with real milk, they can be an easy way to get in that extra serving of dairy and something you can enjoy together.
Last Bit of Advice
When talking to your teen about nutrition needs, it’s important to respect their choices while being supportive. These ideas can help teens choose dairy foods that appeal to their desire to stay on top of trends, as well as help them reach the recommended three dairy servings per day to help ensure they are getting in adequate calcium and vitamin D.