Dairy Tips

Use lower fat milk and yogurt.

If you do OK with milk, drink some each day. Work your way down from whole or 2% milk to 1% or skim (nonfat).

Buttermilk has no butter—it can also be a healthy choice.

Cook with whole milk or 2% milk instead of cream. Then try 1%.

Mix whole fruit (sliced banana, strawberries, or peaches) into plain low-fat or nonfat yogurt for a healthy snack.

Avoid creamers in coffee. Instead, choose reduced fat milk or try evaporated skim milk for a creamy taste without saturated fat.

Go easy on high fat cheeses.

Try sharp cheeses like sharp cheddar or Parmesan—you get more taste with smaller amounts. Slice it thin or grate it.

For snacks, cut a small piece of cheese and put the rest away. It’s easy to eat too much!

Don’t add a lot of cheese to meat sandwiches—regular cheese is high in saturated fat and adds extra salt (sodium).

Ask for pizza with half the cheese and more vegetables.

Go easy on the cream cheese toppings for sandwiches and bagels.

Make lasagna and casseroles with cottage cheese or mozzarella.

Choose cheeses that are low in salt (low sodium).