DAIRY is a complicated topic and I have always sat on the fence, unsure of whether I should stop dairy or not.
We are all programmed to believe that milk is the calcium solution and we need to consume 3 cups a day for bone health, especially with kids.
Increasing studies point to the exact opposite, and infact major research conducted in Harvard and the likes over decades shows that evidence is much stronger on its harming effects then its benefits...and findings seem consistent accross the board. Milk and its products contain a lot of hormones that are not good for us.
China and Japan where people consume very little dairy, have a much lower incidence of bone fractures and osteoporosis then Europe and the US.
True Fact: when people from Japan emigrate to the US, they are an average of 10" taller then their parents back in Japan (if they came in childhood). There is something more then genetics that plays a part in height and milk consumption has been proven to be a major factor. It is a growth promoting substance and that is not good from a cancer view point. My recommendations are to keep milk consumption to 1 maybe 2 cups a day at most, even for children (this would include any cheese, yoghurt that you are consuming).
I personnally buy Organic goats milk and products from the organic supermarket. It is easier on the digestion and some people with lactose intolerance find it ok. My kids only have 1 cup in the morning whith their breakfast.
There are many other ways to include calcium in your diet. One of my facvourites is Chia seeds that you can buy from the organic supermarket. They are truly a superfood and contain 6 times more calcium then milk. You can sprinkle them on anything and they will melt into your food. My kids sprinkle them on their porridge or cereal, you can include them in your baking or stews. Sesame seeds have 3 times more calcium then milk. Many vegetables are good sources of calcium such as Spinach, okra, Broccoli, Peas, Brussel sprouts, Bok choy...Almonds are great as are salmon and sardines.
If you are concerned about calcium, you should pay very close attention to your Vitamin D levels as this will be an indicator of how much calcium your body is absorbing. 90% of people are vitamin D deficient and they don't even know it. The best source of Vit D is the sun, so make sure you and your kids spend 30mns a day without sunblock mid morning or mid afternoon to get your quota!
We are all programmed to believe that milk is the calcium solution and we need to consume 3 cups a day for bone health, especially with kids.
Increasing studies point to the exact opposite, and infact major research conducted in Harvard and the likes over decades shows that evidence is much stronger on its harming effects then its benefits...and findings seem consistent accross the board. Milk and its products contain a lot of hormones that are not good for us.
China and Japan where people consume very little dairy, have a much lower incidence of bone fractures and osteoporosis then Europe and the US.
True Fact: when people from Japan emigrate to the US, they are an average of 10" taller then their parents back in Japan (if they came in childhood). There is something more then genetics that plays a part in height and milk consumption has been proven to be a major factor. It is a growth promoting substance and that is not good from a cancer view point. My recommendations are to keep milk consumption to 1 maybe 2 cups a day at most, even for children (this would include any cheese, yoghurt that you are consuming).
I personnally buy Organic goats milk and products from the organic supermarket. It is easier on the digestion and some people with lactose intolerance find it ok. My kids only have 1 cup in the morning whith their breakfast.
There are many other ways to include calcium in your diet. One of my facvourites is Chia seeds that you can buy from the organic supermarket. They are truly a superfood and contain 6 times more calcium then milk. You can sprinkle them on anything and they will melt into your food. My kids sprinkle them on their porridge or cereal, you can include them in your baking or stews. Sesame seeds have 3 times more calcium then milk. Many vegetables are good sources of calcium such as Spinach, okra, Broccoli, Peas, Brussel sprouts, Bok choy...Almonds are great as are salmon and sardines.
If you are concerned about calcium, you should pay very close attention to your Vitamin D levels as this will be an indicator of how much calcium your body is absorbing. 90% of people are vitamin D deficient and they don't even know it. The best source of Vit D is the sun, so make sure you and your kids spend 30mns a day without sunblock mid morning or mid afternoon to get your quota!
RSS Feed
