Breakfast Week is well under way and milk play an important role in our first meal of the day; whether it be on our cereal or in a cup of tea.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Milk!
We take a look at some of the benefits of having milk in your diet and here are some great facts that you may not have known.
1. Milk is the only drink (excluding water) which is recommended by a dentist to be safe to consume between meals. Milk contains calcium and other tooth friendly nutrients, which help teeth grow and keep them healthy. It's also a great way to keep hydrated as milk contains a high percentage of water.
2. Teenagers need to drink milk too! Bone growth is at its highest during childhood and teenage years. As milk provides calcium, which is essential for bone growth and development, it is important that teenagers consume dairy products too.
People who consume milk products have better intake of nutrients than people who do not consume dairy products. Introducing dairy products at an early age helps establish good eating habits later in life.
3. Whole milk contains 4% fat (defined by its blue top), semi-skimmed milk contains 1.7% fat (green top), 1% milk contains 1% fat (orange top) and skimmed milk contains 0.3% fat (red top). Skimmed milk has a slightly more watery appearance than other types of milk and has a less creamy taste due to the removal of fat.
Try new yellow top Arla BOB (Best of Both) skimmed milk that is fat free, pasteurised, filtered and enriched with protein to deliver a taste and texture that is as good as semi-skimmed.
4. Contrary to popular belief, research has shown that people who consume milk and dairy food are likely to be slimmer than those who do not. Studies have found that consuming milk as part of a calorie controlled diet can help us to lose weight - especially around the abdomen, where fat deposits are associated with the greatest health risks.
5. Milk helps to reduce blood pressure! A diet containing fruit and vegetables, low-fat dairy products and low salt helps reduce blood pressure. The potassium, magnesium and calcium found in dairy products are all linked to healthy blood pressure.
Facts courtesy of the Dairy Council UK.