Kids in the Kitchen June 2016 | Page 14

Flavored Milk: THE GREAT SODA ALTERNATIVE Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits Flavored milk is a healthy alternative to soft drinks and fruit juice! It's also a nutritional powerhouse, packing nine essential vitamins and minerals into one serving. This easy, no-bake snack offers an appetite-satisfying dose of protein in a creamy dessert package. PREP TIME: 3 MINUTES YIELDS:4 SERVINGS INGREDIENTS 1 cup ricotta cheese 1 cup Greek yogurt 4 teaspoons sugar 1/8 teaspoon vanilla 4 cups chopped strawberries 2 graham cracker sheets, coarsely crushed 1. Combine ricotta and next 3 ingredients until well blended. 2. Place 1/3 cup berries into each of four parfait glasses. Top each with 1/4 cup of ricotta mixture. Repeat layers, beginning and ending with berries. Sprinkle each parfait with 2 tablespoons of graham cracker pieces. 13 Nutrient-rich dairy foods not only help children and adults build healthy diets, they also contribute to healthier lives. Studies show dairy foods, as a part of a healthy diet, improve overall diet quality and may contribute to better bone health, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Health Benefits of Flavored Milk * More muscle-building protein than juices and sodas * Vitamins and minerals to help build and repair muscle, making it a great post-exercise beverage and a healthy alternative to sports drinks 14