Conventional nutrition studies and heavy marketing by the Dairy Council would have us believe that dairy, specifically cow’s milk, is a wholesome food vital to human health. Unfortunately the truth is much cloudier than that. Casein, a protein in cow’s milk, has been shown to be greatly effective in triggering cancerous genes. These are genes that would remain dormant otherwise but begin multiplying their damaging code in the presence of casein. Dr. T. Colin Campbell can tell you more about this while Dr. Neal Barnard has noted a high correlation between yogurt consumption and prostate cancer in men.
Perhaps you rely on dairy for calcium and protection against osteoporosis. First of all, every plant food contains calcium. Most, like dark leafy greens, sesame seeds, millet (and other whole grains), nuts, and dried beans, are notably high in calcium. If you’re eating a whole foods plant-based diet, calcium should be of no concern. Secondly, the animal-based protein in milk actually promotes an acidic condition in the blood. To neutralize the acidic load (since left unchecked it would cause death) our bodies draw calcium from our bones. This is great for avoiding instant death, not so great for keeping our bones strong and healthy. It’s not a coincidence that the developed countries with the highest rates of dairy consumption also boast the highest rates of osteoporosis and bone fractures…the U.S. is among them, by the way.
So who actually benefits from a nation hooked on milk? It’s not us, and it’s not the cows, the majority of which are factory farmed, living their short lives in a cramped, dirty, disease-ridden condition. But the USDA isn’t complaining, since a large amount of its support comes from the dairy industry. The USDA also isn’t opposed to the diet of genetically modified corn and soy those cows must endure. There’s an excess of crop insurance subsidized gm-grains produced in this country and they have to be put to use somewhere.
Dairy isn’t evil, but it’s certainly not a health food. If you’re interested in reducing or eliminating your dairy consumption in favor of plant foods and homemade wellness, give some of these recipes a try…
Homemade nut and seed milk
Almond milk yogurt
Millet Mash (think mashed potatoes, but better)
Vegan cheese spread (one of several vegan cheese recipes out there)
Cauliflower Mac and Cheese (numerous versions of this recipe as well)
Vegan Chilled Chocolate Tart (this is one of the best desserts I’ve had, ever)
Coconut Milk Ice Cream
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