LE MARS, Iowa, June 15, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Celebrate the start of summer and National Dairy Month by boosting your health and slimming down. Choose protein- and calcium-rich, low-fat dairy products to burn more fat and lose weight. When included in a reduced-calorie diet, yogurt can help you lose weight while keeping you full, research suggests.
"Dairy products taste great, help sustain my energy levels throughout the day and, most importantly, help me feel full longer," says cookbook author Kathleen Daelemans, who has maintained a 75-pound weight loss for the last 14 years.
To shape up and build stronger bones, Daelemans recommends incorporating healthy foods such as yogurt into your diet. This summer, try the chef's top dairy picks and do wonders to your heart:
1. Power Parfait. Mix 1 cup of your favorite Blue Bunny Lite 85(R) yogurt with 1/3 cup of muesli for a cool and refreshing breakfast or late night snack. 2. Thick Banana Milkshake. Blend 1 cup of skim milk with 1 cup of ice, 1/2 a frozen banana, 1/4 cup of rolled oats, 1 tablespoon of wheat germ and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for a refreshing, nutritious and creamy milkshake. 3. Delicious Dip. Combine 1 cup of low-fat plain yogurt with 1 clove garlic (grated), a pinch of kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom, 2 teaspoons ground turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin. Makes a delicious dip perfect for grilled chicken, meat kabobs, fish or veggies. 4. Creamy Buttermilk Coleslaw. Place 1 pound thinly sliced cabbage in a colander. Sprinkle with salt, toss to coat evenly, set in sink to drain. In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup buttermilk, 2 tablespoons plain low-fat yogurt, 2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons honey Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons grated ginger and the zest of one lime. Add pepper to taste. Toss in a five-ounce bag of pre-grated carrots and 1/2 cup chopped cilantro. Rinse cabbage and pat dry. Add to salad; toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately or refrigerate and serve cold. 5. Peaches and Vanilla Ice Cream Dream Come True. Top a serving of Blue Bunny's Light Personals(TM) Vanilla Light (built-in portion control!) ice cream with homemade peach jam and fresh blueberries. To make jam, cut one large peach into even chunks and place in large cereal bowl. Cover loosely with plastic. Cook in microwave on high until jam-thick, about five minutes. Cool to room temperature. Pour over vanilla ice cream and serve with fresh berries.
About Wells' Dairy
Blue Bunny, founded in 1913, is a brand of Wells' Dairy, Inc. -- the largest family-owned and managed dairy processor in the United States. Today, more than 500 Blue Bunny-branded products, including fresh dairy yogurt, ice cream, frozen dairy desserts and novelties, can be found across the United States, and in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Wells' Dairy, Inc. is headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa. For more information on Blue Bunny, please visit www.bluebunny.com.
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