Your decision to include or eliminate dairy products from your daily diet is just that… Your Decision.
People have many different reasons for choosing to reduce their dairy consumption or eliminate it all together.
The dairy industry has changed a great deal over the years. In the early days most people sourced their milk fresh and unprocessed from a local dairy farmer or they had their own cow. Now the Dairy industry is run by multinational companies on a huge scale, it is pasteurised and homogenised, then they may add or extract permeates, along with other additives like calcium, fish oils, flavours and colours.
For some people this is enough reason for reducing/eliminating dairy products. For others they may simply feel better without it, experiencing less bloating, inflammation and digestive discomfort. Then there is also the ethical stand point, some people are put off by the treatment of dairy cows and their “bobby-calves”. And for some it is just a matter of taste preference.
There are so many alternatives available to us now, as always the golden rule is…
“Get as close to the natural source as possible”
Many milk alternatives also undergo a number of processes before they reach our supermarket shelf. If you have access to good quality, naturally and ethically produced local dairy products, which you enjoy with no digestive discomfort then go for it, include them in moderation as an “accessory” to your diet not a staple. If you are struggling to make progress with a weight loss goal then perhaps experiment with the alternatives and monitor your progress.
So what are the alternatives??? (Here is a list of just a few common alternatives)
Bottom line is anything that comes in a package may contain additives, ALWAYS read the ingredients. Choose the least processed version of any food and go for the best quality you can afford. Experiment with the different options available and pay attention to how your body responds. You could also get creative and make your own milks there are hundreds of YouTube clips and recipes and for most of them all you need is a blender and a straining/cheese cloth. There is also no reason why you need to stick to just one, mix it up.
Ultimately every body is different and what you use to fuel yours is a decision you need to make for yourself. The key to knowing what is right for you is to take notice and listen to your body. If you are unsure then try no dairy for a couple of weeks and see if you feel a difference.
Tegan Caulfield – 2014
