ADA, NDC launches 3-A-Day Dairy campaign to help develop stronger bones and better bodies

Anything that can make moms' lives easier and help to improve their family's health is not just welcome, it is vitally important. The American Dairy Association/National Dairy Council launched their 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign - to motivate moms to make sure their families eat three servings of dairy a day to help build stronger bones and better bodies.

A recent survey of more than 800 moms nationwide, demonstrated the need for just such a campaign. The three key findings are: Nearly half of moms think they are getting enough calcium each day (48 percent); the USDA confirms that 75 percent of Americans are not meeting calcium recommendations; similarly 76 percent of these same moms think their children are getting enough calcium a day, which USDA data confirms otherwise, and only one out of three moms drink milk daily, averaging less than one serving a day.

Moms agree there is nothing more satisfying than serving their kids wholesome dairy products they know taste great, and are great for them. And, National Nutrition Month during March is said to be the perfect time to begin incorporating 3-A-Day of dairy into the lives of our families' meal plans.

Eating 3-A-Day of dairy is as easy as 1-2-3. And to make sure, The Midwest Dairy Council suggests these ways:

1.) Look for the logo - Appearing on packages of milk, cheese and yogurt products showing they are an excellent source of calcium (provides 20 percent or more of the Daily Value). The logo serves as a reminder to get the maxium recommended number of daily servings daily from the Food Guide Pyramid.

2.) Eat your favorite flavors of dairy. Seek out milk, snackable cheeses, and portable yogurt.

A variety of choices can be found in your dairy case, from fat-free to flavored and all kinds of new and convenient packaging.

3.) Take a "3 p.m. break" every day. Take a 3-A-Day break to tally daily dairy servings. If falling short, it is a good time to work in another one. Add notes to lunches or post a dairy tracker (available at 3aday.org) on the fridge to remind the family and make sure they get a third serving at dinner if they need it.

In addition, eating three servings of dairy a day is an easy and wholesome way to get calcium and eight nutrients, including potssium. phosphorus, protein, vitamins D, A and B12, riboflavin, and niacin (niacin equivalents).

"3-A-Day of Dairy makes it easy for moms to get their families that right amount of calcium by telling us exactly how many dairy servings to eat each day," says Char Heer, Midwest Dairy Council registered dietitian and mother of two.

'That's why moms across the country will pick up on it. It's just so easy and makes so muchsense."

Three more ideas moms can use to help them:

1.) Like mother, like daughter. Studies show that moms who drink milk regularly have daughters who do so too -- modeling healthful behavior really does work.

2.) Doctors agree on 3-A-Day of dairy for stronger bones and better bodies. Leading health organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Medical Association support 3-A-Day of Dairy.

3.) The "3-A-Day" logo only appears on milk, cheese and yogurt products with 20 percent or more of the Daily Value of calcium and is easy to spot on the dairy case.

Article copyright REAL TIMES Inc.