It’s well-established that dairy milk and dairy products are an important part of a healthy diet. In fact, they’re among some of the most nutrient-rich foods available. And Ontario dairy farmers, along with the entire Canadian dairy system, are committed to ensuring the milk you drink meets the highest standards of purity and quality.
In addition to being fortified with vitamin D, milk is also a natural source of 14 essential nutrients. Here’s a quick rundown of what they are, and some of the things they help your body do.
Vitamin A plays a role in bone and tooth development, the maintenance of night vision and healthy skin.
Vitamin B12 aids in building red blood cells.
Vitamin D enhances calcium and phosphorus absorption for strong bones and teeth.
Calcium aids in building and maintaining healthy bones and teeth.
Protein helps build and repair body tissues, including muscles and bones, and plays a role in the creation of antibodies which fight infection.
Magnesium is a factor in bone and teeth health, conversion of food into energy and tissue formation.
Phosphorus is a factor in the formation and maintenance of strong bones and healthy teeth.
Swipe to see more essential vitamins and nutrients.
A 200 ml glass of milk contains about the same amount of protein as one egg.
Whether you like to drink 1%, 2%, homogenized or chocolate milk, it all contains the same nutritional elements.
A recent study suggests that dairy consumption was associated with a 10% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 12% lower risk of stroke.
The nutritional facts are clear, but there are still a lot of misconceptions about dairy products. Can you filter out the truth from the falsehoods?
You can still enjoy milk if you’re lactose intolerant. Try drinking smaller portions, and drink milk with meals or other foods. You can also buy lactose-free milk and lower-lactose cheeses, or take lactase enzyme drops or tablets beforehand to reduce symptoms.
Warm milk can be a pleasant, comforting drink before you head off to bed – and it certainly counts toward your recommended number of servings. But while it does contain the sleep-inducing amino acid Tryptophan, it doesn’t have a high enough quantity to induce sleepiness.
This is a popular misconception. Growth hormones aren’t allowed in Canada. There may be naturally occurring hormones in the cow’s milk, but your own gastrointestinal system render about 90% of this already insignificant amount inactive.
True! Pasteurization is the process of heating milk at temperatures high enough to kill potentially harmful bacteria. It not only makes your milk safe to drink, it helps extend its shelf life by destroying organisms that can make it spoil sooner.
False! Sometimes cows get sick – but strict precautions are taken to ensure the milk you drink doesn’t contain any medication they may be taking. The farmer will continue to milk her, but the milk is discarded for a mandatory period until the medication is no longer in her system.
Lemon-Raspberry Ricotta Cake with Crème Anglaise
Discover how great nutritious can taste!
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