June is National Dairy Month! It originally started in 1937 because people weren’t drinking enough milk or eating dairy, which in turn caused calcium and potassium deficiencies in the population. Dairy products have been an important part of the human diet for hundreds of years and today it is part of the official nutritional recommendations in multiple countries worldwide.
Dairy month is an annual celebration in the US where all the health benefits of consuming dairy in moderation is recognized and implemented (thanks to all the sale deals!). Dairy products can be a good source of 9 essential nutrients including calcium, protein, potassium and phosphorus. Most importantly dairy products contribute to around 52–65 % of the dietary reference intake (DRI) of calcium, along with being a great source of protein in the human diet.1 With all its nutritional benefits, dairy, is useful in aiding with bone health, preventing osteoporosis, gut health, muscle repair and many other health benefits made easier to achieve with consumption.2 However, there can be adverse effects with excessive dairy consumption, particularly high in fat dairy. Moderation and balance is key in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Below is a great recipe using feta cheese in honor of Diary Month!
Herbed Sweet Potatoes with Feta and Pine Nuts
4-6 servings
Sliced sweet potatoes baked with feta and herbs and finished with tangy lemon and earthy pine nuts creates a great hearty appetizer or side dish!
Ingredients:
4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into slices 1/2 inch thick
3 Tbs. olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 1/2oz feta cheese, crumbled
1/3 cup pine nuts
1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh thyme
Juice of 1 lemon
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 400ºF.
Place the sweet potatoes in a 2-quart gratin or baking dish. Drizzle with the olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Spread the potatoes in a single layer.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 20 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle evenly with the cheese, pine nuts, and thyme, and continue to bake, uncovered, until the cheese is golden and the sweet potatoes are tender, 8 to 10 minutes more. Remove from the oven, drizzle evenly with the lemon juice and serve immediately.
Adapted from Williams Sonoma
References
- Rozenberg S, Body J-J, Bruyère O, et al. Effects of Dairy Products Consumption on Health: Benefits and Beliefs—A Commentary from the Belgian Bone Club and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. Calcified Tissue International
- Kliem KE, Givens DI. Dairy products in the food chain: their impact on health. Annual review of food science and technology.
