Alternatives to Dairy Milk

I try to limit dairy consumption to moderate amounts and, if I’m going to consume it at all, I make sure it’s organic.  I don’t keep any regular cow’s milk in my home and I don’t typically recommend a daily dose for my clients. When you think about it, milk is produced by a mama cow who, as nature intends, will feed it to her babies to help them grow. It is not meant for the human digestive system to process the milk of a cow. In fact, I’d say it doesn’t make much sense for us to consume the milk of anyone’s mom except our own human one! it is not meant for us or our digestive systems  Plus, the mama cow’s milk is meant to turn a 60 pound calf into a 700 pound cow as quickly as possible…No thanks!

Here are a few other facts about cow’s milk:

·  Although milk contains significant amounts of calcium, the pasteurization of milk has the effect of rendering much of the calcium insoluble and, therefore, it is not well-absorbed or utilized by the body.  

·  Your milk most likely contains genetically engineered bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST).  Farmers inject these hormones into cows in order to increase milk production.  However, these hormones can raise your risk of cancer and other serious diseases when consumed.

·  The injection of these hormones to unnaturally increase milk production can lead to infection of the cows’ udders.  That would be  treated with antibiotics which, of course, make their way into your milk.  Is milk sounding really gross yet? 

·  Calcium requirements vary based on age.  The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for adults age 19-50 is 1000mg.  For women over 50, the requirement is 1200 mg.

The bottom line? Milk is not the best, or only, source of calcium. Some non-dairy alternatives include: 

Chia seeds (177 mg in 2 Tablespoons

Tofu (861 mg in ½ cup)

Figs (120 mg per ½ cup)

Almonds (72 mg in ¼ cup)

Leafy greens like Kale (almost 200  mg per cup cooked) ,Collards (almost 300 mg per cup cooked) and Spinach (56 mg per cup)

Sesame Seeds (350 mg in ¼ cup)

Broccoli (74 mg per cup)

Beans  (approximately 125 mg per cup)

Blackstrap molasses (170 mg in a tablespoon)

So, consider getting your calcium from these super healthy sources and ease up on the cow’s milk.  If you must have milk, try goat’s milk which is easier on our digestive systems, or unsweetened almond, coconut, or cashew milk.