May is National Mediterranean Diet Month — a time to celebrate the foods of this healthful eating pattern, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, nuts, and healthy oils. Dairy foods also play a crucial role in the Mediterranean diet. Dairy provides essential nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D, protein, B vitamins, phosphorus, and potassium. By pairing dairy with other food groups like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, this eating pattern provides fiber as well. This combination of fresh, flavorful, and nutrient-dense foods makes the Mediterranean diet a tasty, sustainable option for many individuals.

Milk, feta cheese, and Greek yogurt add unique flavors to many Mediterranean-style dishes. Greek salad topped with feta cheese offers a fresh, flavorful side for any meal. Serving grilled chicken with a Greek yogurt tzatziki sauce, a tangy herb-filled topping, adds a refreshing touch to a classic Mediterranean meal. Enjoying a glass of low-fat milk with a spinach and feta omelet helps to create an energizing breakfast.

Adding dairy to meals and snacks can help maintain bone health, repair and build muscle, and extend energy sources. The Mediterranean diet has additional benefits, including decreasing blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight, which are important factors in heart health.

A Celebration of Culture

In addition to nutrient-dense foods, the Mediterranean diet also focuses on physical activity. In fact, this eating pattern emphasizes enjoying food and physical fitness in social settings. Family, community, and the enjoyment of life are all important to Mediterranean culture. These values create a positive mindset around this eating plan, allowing individuals to enjoy their food and this lifestyle.

This month acknowledges the Mediterranean diet and highlights the nutritious foods it is centered on. By including dairy foods along with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, and healthy oils, an individual is taking a step towards a healthier lifestyle.

St. Louis District Dairy Council recently collaborated with Southwest Dairy Farmers on a video series called Diets and Dairy. To learn more about dairy’s place in the Mediterranean diet, head over to @STLDairyCouncil on YouTube or watch the video here: https://youtu.be/MedDiet.