Top 5 Healthy Dairy Foods for Your Diet

Dairy products are just about everywhere you turn. For centuries, dairy farmers have taken special care of their animals and their local environment. Dairy farmers are hard-working men and women that take pride in providing the highest quality dairy products to their family, community, and customers. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 98% of U.S. dairy farms are still family-owned and operated. Sometimes these farms are still owned by relatives and descendants of the original owners.

Michigan ranks fifth among the nation’s dairy-producing states. Are you interested in farms for sale in Michigan? Farms and other agricultural lands for sale in Michigan feature livestock including cattle, horses, goats, sheep, and pigs. Michigan's main farming goods are dairy products, corn, and soybeans. Milk and dairy foods are healthy foods because they serve as good sources of calcium and vitamin D as well as protein and other essential nutrients. The calcium in milk, yogurt, and cheese is significant yet most people don't get enough calcium or vitamin D each day. Getting the recommended three servings of dairy per day can help build bone mass, leading to improved bone health throughout the life cycle. 

Below we listed the top 5 healthy dairy foods for your diet. 

1. Buttermilk

Buttermilk is lower in fat than regular milk because the fat has been removed to make butter. One of buttermilk's greatest benefits is its calcium content. Those with digestive problems are often advised to drink buttermilk rather than milk, as it is more quickly and easily digested. For those watching their caloric or fat intake, you can try putting a couple of tablespoons of buttermilk on your baked potato as a substitution for sour cream or butter. 

2. Cheese

Cheese contains potentially beneficial ingredients like protein and probiotics (which tend to put you in less of an inflammatory state). Cheese is a good source of calcium, a key nutrient for healthy bones and teeth, blood clotting, wound healing, and maintaining normal blood pressure.

3. Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is a low-calorie cheese with a mild flavor. Cottage cheese doesn't only offer a lot of protein, it's also packed with essential nutrients. It also has good amounts of vitamins B1, B3, and B6, as well as vitamin A, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and copper.

4. Goat Milk

Goat milk is a type of milk produced by goats. It’s high in many essential nutrients and is a good source of vitamins and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin and more. Goat milk is real dairy and is easy to digest. 

5. Yogurt

Yogurt is a nutrient-rich food that fuels your body with protein, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B12, and some key fatty acids that your body needs to stay healthy. And if you choose a high-protein yogurt, it can keep you feeling full, which may help you trim your waistline. While you may prefer flavored yogurts, it’s better to stick with plain. Toss in some blueberries for added sweetness or add nuts for some crunch. These simple additions can improve the overall taste.