The media promotes dairy products and convinces many people that we must consume dairy in order to get the calcium that we need. However, I disagree and actually see problems with consuming too much dairy! Many people hear the positive things about dairy but not too often do you hear the other side of the coin.
Dairy has been known to cause physical symptoms in many people, especially those who are lactose intolerant or have an allergy to milk proteins. Some of these symptoms include weight gain, lethargy, sinus problems, digestive issues, skin problems and migraines. Have you been noticing a change in your skin or digestive issues? This could be from your consumption of dairy!
There are also many research studies that have found a dairy connection in illnesses such as diabetes, some types of cancer, heart disease, high cholesterol and others. Dairy is mucus forming, which can cause health issues.
Pasteurization doesn’t always kill all of the bacteria and viruses found in milk, which are directly transferred to you from the cow’s diet. Additionally, the heating process used in pasteurization destroys the live enzymes and decreases a lot of the original calcium found in the milk, which is most of the reason you are drinking it, right?
Although there are some people who don’t have a negative reaction to dairy, for those who aren’t sure, a simple dairy-free two-week test can show you whether dairy has any impact on your health or how you feel. If dairy is not the root of your digestive issues or dietary problems, of course consuming dairy within moderation is key!
There are actually many other foods that contain significantly more calcium than milk products such as almonds, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, pistachios, amaranth, quinoa, sunflower seeds, garbanzo beans, black beans, parsley and all sea vegetables (some containing 10-13x the calcium found in milk). If you follow my lead and eat unlimited veggies we eat, you should be above our daily recommended amount for calcium, no doubt!
The good news is that there are some fabulous dairy substitutes that, in my opinion, taste even better then the original dairy products themselves. Nuts (which contain more calcium then milk as mentioned above) are often used to produce dairy-like flavors and textures in milk, butter, cheese and even ice cream. Although you can buy these products at a natural supermarket, both nut milk and nut butter are extremely easy to make at home. Here are a couple quick recipes for you to try.
Nut Milk:
1 cup of organic almonds (or any nut) soaked overnight in water
4 cups of water (you can add less if you like a thicker consistency)
1/8 tsp of sea salt (optional)
2 Tbsp of agave nectar or honey OR stevia (optional)
1 tsp of vanilla (optional)
Drain and rinse the almonds. The soaking removes the enzyme inhibitors, activating them (so that they are alive again and can sprout) and making them more digestible. Next put everything into a high-speed blender and blend on high for about a minute. Finally, drain the milk mixture through a nut seed bag (available at natural health food stores) or other type of mesh bag to separate the pulp. After wards you can freeze the pulp and use it in deserts if you’d like. Nut milk keeps for about 3 days in the refrigerator.
Nut Butter:
2 cups of dry organic almonds (or any nut)
3 Tbsp of olive oil
¼ tsp of sea salt (optional)
1 Tbsp of agave nectar or honey or Stevia (optional)
Blend nuts and salt in a food processor using a S-blade. Once processed, slowly add the oil while the processor is running, 1 Tbsp at a time until the desired texture is achieved. Nut butters can last a month or two in the refrigerator.
CHECK OUT MY VIDEO ON HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE ALMOND MILK
Very interesting! I’ll have to try replacing a few of the items listed inplace of my little son’s milk. I really try to rotate his drinks and food anyways, but he does have a hard time with his BM from time to time. Infact he is having trouble this morning, this couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ll be more cautious. Good looking out gina!
Thanks girl,
stef
Great article Gina! What are your thoughts on Soy Milk? My friend and I were discussing soy milk this morning and she said it is actually bad for you. Especially if you have thyroid issues or diabetes which she suffers from both. She is really trying to get her health back together and is so angry about how we are all lead to believe that some things are supposed to be good for us but in fact, are not. She has completely cut soy milk out of her diet and said that she feels like she is going through withdrawls and believes its her body cleaning the toxins out that the soy milk has put in her body. Any thoughts?
I miss my dairy terribly. I used to drink 3 cups of milk a day just because I love it so much. Then it was down to 2 then 1 and now, as you know Gina, I don’t have any dairy at all. I believe everything in moderation is okay. I miss my cottage cheese but even more my yogurt!! I think yogurt is a perfectly fine dairy item to eat, particularly the Greek with its high protein content and all that good bacteria that actually helps with your digestion and keeping all that good flora in your system. I don’t even like the flavored, sweetened yogurt which isn’t good for you anyway. It also helps fight yeast infections which many women (luckily not me!) suffer from. So, basically what I’m asking is isn’t yogurt a good food item to eat?
Stef– I am interested to see if by replacing some of the dairy it helps with your son’s BM… I think it will, for sure! Troubles today huh.. poor little guy! Perfect timing!
Kerri– I am not that big of a fan of soy milk because of the sugar, just as in regular milk but also there have been studies showing its effects on estrogen and anything to increase our normal levels of estrogen, we should watch out for. What comes with that is weight gain, mood swings, etc… It is not BAD for you but should be used, if used, within moderation. Just like regular milk, use it sparingly and within moderation. My favorite is almond milk!! I do not think your friends withdrawals are from the lack of soy milk but rather a mental withdrawl. Have her try almond milk. It is delicious and has the omega 3’s which are so good for you, which you know!! see if that helps her. I posted info on soy in the article section… There are so many studies and controversies but I posted info on it and the pro’s and con’s that are out there regarding soy. I know it is a lot of info but hope it helps!
Erin–
When you are use to drinking milk or have grown up on it, it is hard to stop all together. You are right everything in moderation. my suggestion is to use low fat or non fat products when using it and to use it within moderation, balance is key! 3 glasses a day is a lot but a few glasses a week of low or non fat is moderate and a better idea…
AGAIN, moderation.. yes the yogurt does have the good bacteria and helps with gut health and I was impressed with the high levels of protein in the greek yogurt. When I do use dairy it is just a little low fat cheese, here and there, and I do love non fat cottage cheese, it is a great slow digesting protein source, again within moderation, it is perfectly fine… There is sugar in dairy so if you drink or eat it ALL the time it can be a killer but within moderation it is okay. These are just my thoughts and I am not a big fan of dairy, unless non fat/ low fat here and there, and as I mentioned (love the non fat cottage cheese, here and there). It just isn’t a good habit to get into eating dairy all the time. I was raised not drinking milk so it hasn’t been a big part of my life but I do know that when I do eat or drink it, oh boy does my body not like it. When you stop drinking it you can become lactose intolerant, lacking that enzyme to break down the lactase…
I am just not a fan of incorporating it in your daily meal plan but here and there, it is totally fine and okay… balance and moderation, our two favorite words…