March Dairy Madness: Dairy Recipes for the Big Dance®!

March is one of my favorite months of the year. Men’s and women’s college basketball teams compete in the NCAA Tournament, widely known as March Madness® or The Big Dance®. The players must eat and drink nutrient-dense foods and beverages to support their success during the tournament. As for the fans and viewers of the competition, nutrient-dense dairy foods can power the energy levels and excitement that every game-winner or defensive stop brings. Whether you are rooting for your team in red, blue, orange, yellow, or more, there are many ways to enjoy dairy products in hopes that your team is the last one standing at The Big Dance with delicious dairy recipes.

Dairy Recipes for the Big Dance®

Here’s a quick Strawberry & Beet ‘Em Smoothie to start your morning that features milk. Whether competing on the court, working out, or tackling your to-do list, milk provides the protein you need for peak performance. Every 8-ounce glass of milk provides 8 grams of complete, high-quality protein to help you stay strong, energized, and focused.

This Mango Blue Cheese Salsa Dip can be a great choice as you watch your favorite team lock its opponent up on the defensive end! Lactose intolerance does not have to mean dairy avoidance. For those with lactose intolerance, there are a variety of lactose-free and lower-lactose dairy options, like blue cheese, that may help you enjoy the taste and nutrition benefits of dairy foods with minimal or no symptoms.

Try this BBQ Chicken & Peach Pizza as the second half is set to begin! A lactose-intolerance management strategy that may help you enjoy the taste and nutrition benefits of dairy foods with minimal or no symptoms is pairing dairy foods with a protein like chicken and/or fiber like fruits or vegetables. This strategy helps slow lactose absorption while providing essential nutrients like vitamin D, calcium, and potassium. The versatility of dairy is unmatched. For example, these Blue Lemon Cheesecake Bites are perfect for watching your favorite team rack up a sweet victory to move on to the next round. Using Greek Yogurt in place of or along with cream cheese can help give this recipe an extra protein boost!

Whether you are rooting for a college basketball team in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Mississippi, Virginia, or Tennessee, you can support dairy farmers across the Southeast by trying one of these recipes at your next watch party!

Greg is a health educator and nutrition professional with 10 + years of nutrition

Greg LaFortune is a health educator and nutrition professional with 10 + years of nutrition and health education experience. He is a Certified Men's Health Educator which gave birth to his specialty: Men's Health. His mission is to bridge the gap between men and the healthcare system. In his private practice, Optimal Plan Nutrition, LLC. He provides dynamic nutrition counseling on various chronic diseases and health needs. He is a public speaker, freelance writer, and musician who plays four instruments. His family and Christian faith drive everything he does.

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