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Power-Packed Protein for Back-to-School

It’s back-to-school season which means including power-packed protein—such as milk, cheese, and yogurt—in meals, school lunch boxes, and snacks.

Dairy protein keeps you feeling fuller longer and delivers important nutritional benefits. Add dairy protein to your diet for all-day energy.

It is recommended that 10-35% of total daily calories come from protein. For a 2,000 calorie diet, this means 50-175 grams of protein per day. However, many people eat most of their protein in the evening, leaving them without the fuel they need to feel energized all day. 30 grams of protein at each meal will stimulate protein growth in younger and older adults. Distributing protein throughout the day, starting at breakfast, provides energy and a greater ability to focus on the day’s activities.

Recipes like Power Up Muffin Cups or Fruity Splash Smoothie provide important nutritional benefits and protein to ensure all-day energy. They also make for quick breakfasts before school or work.

Cottage cheese with berries, flavored milks and yogurts, single-serve cheese sticks, as well as snack packs with dried fruit, nuts and cheese, can be added to school lunches or enjoyed as snacks for dairy protein on-the-go.

For evening meals, Pita Pizza Faces and BBQ Chicken and Cheddar Foil Packets are a fun way to get kids to eat their protein, and dinner is on the table in a snap.

Visit Midwest Dairy for recipes and ways to incorporate dairy protein into your meals and snacks.

Source: Midwest Dairy Council