Choose Milk for Hydration During Summer Workouts

Do you have a soon-to-be grad in your life? It doesn’t matter if it is college or preschool, graduation is a big event for everyone involved.

For most of your day, you see a sea of shiny graduation regalia and odd-shaped headwear surrounded by an audience of flashing phones and homemade posters. Speakers share an encouraging—if not drawn out—story and graduates slowly make their way from their chairs across the stage to receive a diploma documenting their hard work. Once complete, everyone converges on their special person to make sure they sent out all necessary thank-yous and made the obligatory calls to far away relatives already. Now, it is time to celebrate.

And no graduation is complete without a celebratory meal.

Graduation dinners are a special combination of pride and humbling anecdotes as hot food is endlessly served. Iced drinks in special themes of colors are ready to fill any empty hand. Family, neighbors, and friends stop in with Congratulations and a search for a tasty nibble. The food is an important detail in the day’s celebrations.

In addition to the hot dogs and hamburgers fresh off the grill, your meal needs satisfying sides to snack on all evening long as embarrassing stories are shared. An Overnight Greek and Grain Salad is a healthy side that can be made the night before, leaving more time to celebrate your grad. This Creamy Avocado Hummus combines guacamole, Greek yogurt, and hummus for an easy dip served with raw vegetables or chips.

And it isn’t a party without dessert. This Homemade Banana Pudding is an essential part of any Southern party. The sweet, creamy vanilla pudding is layered with ripe bananas and vanilla wafers, making a light and delicious treat for everyone celebrating on a warm May day.

As for drinks, consider including milk on the menu. Real milk provides the protein your grad needs for peak performance. Every 8-ounce glass of milk provides 8 grams of complete, high-quality protein to help them stay strong, energized, and focused for whatever comes next.

Serve up these simple and delicious foods in honor of your grad. For more recipe ideas, check out our Dairy Recipes.