Thinking of giving up dairy? Last week when I shared my recipe for delicious Creamy Cashew Mylk, I dropped a big M bomb.
Yep, I have not had a glass of regular milk in about 15 years. There are a whole lot of reasons why I chose to give up cow’s milk—but let’s make the distinction that moreover, I’m talking about milk from commercially raised cows, which is what you find in most dairy sections.
It’s pasteurized and homogenized, which means it’s been heated. This heating process destroys beneficial enzymes like lactase that we need to digest the main sugar in milk, lactose. So regular ol’ milk no longer has these enzymes, and most humans actually stop producing lactase between the ages of 2 and 5. So it’s no surprise so many people have digestive issues with dairy products.
Milk is an Allergen.
One of the most simple reasons that processed food is so terrible for our body is because our body simply does not recognize it as real food. It doesn’t understand how to actually process this foreign substance as anything other than an invader.
We have a similar issue with dairy. Commercially processed milk is just that—processed. Pretty much all fat is removed from store-bought milk. Without fat, you can’t absorb fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin A, D, E and K, so then the manufacturers have to add those back in with synthetic versions.
We’re the only animals that drink another species’ milk, and our bodies see this ‘foreign’ milk as an allergen. This is why so many people have chronic stuffy or runny noses, asthma and allergies. It our body’s natural defense system working to fend off an attack.
The statistics are crazy: 80% of African Americans, 90% of Asian Americans, and 60% of Hispanics are lactose intolerant to some degree. Straight-up, our bodies are not meant to drink any milk except our mother’s milk, and only when we are babies.
Milk is Addictive!
Milk contains a protein called casein (it is also linked to causing cancer in a big way), which breaks down in our bodies to become casomorphine – yep, you’re correct, you see the word morphine in there. Casomorphines have an opiate effect on the body and are naturally designed to make a baby feel all warm and fuzzy and safe while suckling. So by the time we are adults, we have become milk junkies! And no one wants to give up their drug of choice.
Milk is Re-Wiring Your Body.
That’s right. Milk is messing with our hormones! Milking cows are pumped full of extra estrogen to force them to lactate excessively—producing more than 20 times their normal milk supply. Excess hormones are now shown to be a factor in reproductive cancers and early puberty.
Dairy has even been linked to cancer. Cows injected with bovine growth hormone have higher levels of a naturally occurring hormone called IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), which is also linked to tumor growth. And some of the biggest factors in breast cancer are fat, animal protein and excess estrogen.
Milk is an American Institution.
Now, I understand that dairy is a super touchy subject for a variety of reasons. The first reason being that dairy is a BIG business, and it’s become ingrained in our culture. The National Dairy Council has been pushing the importance of dairy on us since 1915. We think we need milk for healthy bones and teeth, but that’s just not true!
Dairy-free countries have the lowest rates of osteoporosis on the planet. While milk does offer some calcium, it also causes the body to release more of it. So, you are actually losing more calcium than you are gaining. There is a lot of research supporting the claim that cows’ milk actually does not improve bone health, and in a few cases there was a link between milk consumption and a higher risk of fractures. Ouch!
There are so many other foods that provide more readily absorbed calcium including chickpeas, collard greens, bok choy, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, kale, mustard greens, okra, grains, beans, fruits, almonds, soybeans, sesame seeds and sea vegetables. So go veg out, my freinds!
Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself.
After I stopped drinking milk and inhaling cheese platters, my bouts of bloating and gassiness decreased, and I have very rare issues with acne. (So yes, gut and skin health is absolutely connected!)
Now I absolutely admit, I am a reformed cheese junky! I am half French, so give me anything cheesy and saucy and I am beyond stoked! So when I do indulge, I stick to small amounts of high quality goat or sheep’s cheeses.
Here’s why: Cow milk is designed to turn a baby cow into a 400 (!!!) pound animal. It’s no wonder dairy makes you fat. It is high in protein and fat, low in carbs and has zero fiber. And milk from commercially raised cattle is now more than 90% casein, which as I mentioned earlier is addictive and linked to cancer.
Goat and sheep’s milk only contains trace amounts of casein and their stomach and digestive process is very similar to ours. Humans can more easily process goat and sheep milk, so if you can’t give up the dairy, this is a solid alternative.
(Of course, if you have a milk allergy, I would just stay away from all dairy. Period.)
What’s my alternative?
As far as other milk alternatives, there are plenty! Cashew, almond, coconut, hemp, soy, rice, quinoa, flax, oat, hazelnut, macadamia. Just do some DIY experimenting and find one that tastes best to you.
I feel so strongly about preparing and cooking your own food as much as possible, and that includes making your own milk alternative or MYLK. 🙂 Taking control over exactly what you are putting into your body—the energy and love you put into creating healthy meals is so so important—and goes a long way to helping you become your healthiest you!
What dairy alternatives do you enjoy? Have you seen the amazing benefits of cutting back on cow’s milk? Let me know in the comments below.
LOVE + dairy-free dreams!
References:
Barnard, Neal D, MD (2004). Breaking the Food Seduction. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin.
Campbell, T. Colin (2006). The China Study. Dallas: BenBella Books, Inc.
Duyff, Roberta Larson (2006). American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.
Thanks for all the great info. I love unsweetened vanilla almond milk!
So happy you found it helpful, Lisa! So easy to make almond milk at home too…use my Creamy Cashew Milk recipe from last week, you just need to strain the milk through a nut milk bag or cheesecloth and voila! Awesome almond milk 🙂