Dig into Dairy
“Got milk?” Not many folks do these days. Despite the milk-mustached celebrities peering from the pages of magazines, milk sales are down.
“Got milk?” Not many folks do these days. Despite the milk-mustached celebrities peering from the pages of magazines, milk sales are down. That means calcium consumption by Americans is down, too. Nearly nine of 10 women and four of 10 men fall short on their daily calcium intake, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture surveys. And calcium intake isn’t any better for kids; 70 percent of 9- to 11-year old girls do not get enough calcium.
With the recent introduction of new beverages—from teas to soft drinks to bottled waters—milk has taken a back seat. This is unfortunate because the nutrients that dairy products contain—calcium, vitamin D and protein—are extremely important for our health. They build strong bones during childhood, help maintain them during adulthood and are beneficial for people with high blood pressure and diabetes. A recent study funded by the National Dairy Council found that dairy products may even help people lose weight—especially abdominal fat, which has been linked to a higher risk for heart attack.
Here are two recipes from Relish, American Profile’s sister magazine, that contain hefty doses of calcium—as much, if not more than an 8-ounce glass of milk, which contains 300 milligrams.
Daily Calcium Requirements
AGE.....................MG/DAY
1 to 3.....................500
4 to 8.....................800
9 to 18....................1300
19 to 50...................1000
51+........................1200
Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients1 large egg
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cup 2% low-fat milk
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
4 ounces cream cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
¾ cup (3 ounces) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons butter
12 saltine crackers, crumbled
2. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 13 x 9-inch or 8-cup casserole dish.
3. Combine egg, garlic and milk and mix well. Place pasta in a large casserole dish. Add milk mixture and remaining ingredients, except butter and crackers. Mix well with a spoon. Combine butter and crackers. Sprinkle over pasta. Bake 30 minutes or until browned and bubbly. Serves 8.
"Relish a Classic Flavor," April 2006.
Dressed-Up Tomato Soup
We all know it’s accessories that count. Here, canned tomato soup is outfitted with cheese, sweet grape tomatoes and crispy bacon, taking it from simple to spectacular. It also adds a calcium boost of 600 milligrams—as much as is in 2 cups of milk. Serve with toasted bagels.Ingredients
1 can 2% low-fat milk
10 grape tomatoes, halved
2 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 (1-ounce) mozzarella cheese stick, cut into 6 pieces
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
2 ounces grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
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