Can you believe it’s September again? Where on earth did the last year go?
Like New Year, back-to-school season gives us the motivation to try new things, start new projects and grab the opportunity of a fresh start. We’re already in organisation mode, getting uniforms, books and school supplies together, which means we have the momentum to make a few other positive changes.
We always think September is a great time to examine our diets and try to introduce a few tweaks to improve things; food is already on our minds since we’re compiling lists of ideas for school lunches so it’s almost too easy! The National Dairy Council’s Win With Dairy campaign is currently promoting the importance of dairy in our family’s diet, which got us thinking about how many of these products our family consumes.
Many parents know that milk, yogurt and cheese are important sources of calcium, which is essential for our children’s bone growth and development; however, you may be surprised to learn that dairy is also a natural source of many other important nutrients such as protein.
As part of a balanced diet, three servings from this food group are recommended per day, increasing to five daily servings between the ages of nine and 18 years. It’s a good thing that most kids already love dairy products, isn’t it? Combined with exercise, a balanced diet can really make your child a health powerhouse. You should also keep in mind that including activity as a natural part of their weekly routine at a young age means they are more likely to continue this healthy habit throughout life.
Two men who really understand the importance of a balanced diet and staying active are Irish rugby stars Rob and Dave Kearney which is why they’ve joined forces with the National Dairy Council. Speaking at the launch of the Win With Dairy campaign, Dave talked about the advantage of having his parents actively encourage him to get involved in sports.“Gaelic football, tennis, swimming, golf and rugby were just some of the activities which kept us engaged and out of mischief as children and it obviously sparked a competitive light in the early days.”
His brother Rob also highlighted the importance of developing healthy lifestyle habits during childhood: “Parents have a real opportunity to encourage healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle from childhood – and good nutrition starts with a balanced diet, including dairy. It’s a winning combination.”
Irish dairy is a natural source of many vitamins and minerals that a body needs. As part of a balanced diet, dairy helps families around the country maintain good health and helps children to grow strong and It’s also nutritious, delicious and versatile.
For more information, visit the National Dairy Council’s website.
