PART ONE: THE MILK SERIES
As I write this, I am sure the dairy lovers in this world are cursing my existence. After all, milk and dairy products rule America. Milk has become such an American staple, that I am always shocked to come across a magazine that is NOT endorsing milk as a miracle product.
Challenge: I dare you to pick 3 women’s health magazines and flip through them. If you can do so, without coming across an ad with a sexy celebrity adorned in a white mustache, please send an email to lauren@inpurebliss.com. I want to know what magazines you are reading.
If you enjoy dairy products and tend to feel uncomfortable or bloated after, “weighed-down,” struggle with your weight, suffer from “breakouts”, feel tired or lethargic, you will indefinitely benefit from eliminating milk and dairy products from your diet (Everyone will benefit from eliminating and avoiding dairy, but for some, the benefits will be almost immediate).
Why should dairy and milk be avoided and eliminated?
Casein. Casein is a protein found in milk. Simply put: Casein is difficult to digest. In fact, I recently came across a men’s fitness article touting casein as an “extremely slow-digesting protein.” If you have not done so, I highly suggest you read “My Philosophy” on digestion, and the breakdown and assimilation of foods in the body. A quick recap: In order to look, feel and be healthy, it is crucial that we not only eat nutritious foods, but we enjoy them in a manner that allows for optimal absorption in the body. Eating foods that are difficult to digest encourages our system to “back up.” Goal of eating for health: Eat delicious foods that nourish our cells and do not “stick around” to cause problematic situations.
How sticky is casein?
Years ago, before all products became synthetic, casein was the major ingredient in wood working glue. Seriously! Casein was heated down into a sticky substance and then used to glue wood together. Can you imagine what it is doing to your body?
Good News! There are milk alternatives!! Nut milks, like almond milk, are much more readily digested and assimilated. Oh! And they taste great too! I prefer Pacific Brand products. I buy the unsweetened varieties and sweeten them with a touch of agave or Vanilla NuStevia. (Nut milks like almond, hazelnut, and hemp are the kindest on the stomach. Oat milk is preferred over soy and cow (or animal derived) milk… If you really want to up the nutrition value, make your own)…
How have you benefited from cutting out dairy? What is your favorite alternative?
How do you feel about soy milk?
Hi Melissa,
I am not in fact, a fan of processed soy (which is what soy milk is). I do think It can be useful in transitioning from milk but not as a “health” food.
In my opinion, nut, seed and even rice and oat milks are better alternatives to soy.
This is a great article written by Gena at Choosing Raw. She offers great insight about soy and soy milk… of which I am in absolute agreement. She is incredibly knowledgeable. I hope you enjoy!!
I wrote an article about soy here: http://diaryofanutritionist.com/2010/03/06/the-truth-about-your-soy-latte-ten-reasons-to-avoid-soy/
Sorry it took so long!!
[...] is specifically designed to nourish it’s own offspring. In the previous article, we discussed casein. Casein is a protein found in milk that is extremely difficult digest. A cow’s milk contains [...]
[...] Milk is highly congesting. As aforementioned, in a previous article, due to milk’s potent casein levels, it is extraordinarily difficult to digest. Because of this, [...]
[...] if you have been reading Diary of a Nutritionist, you know how I feel about milk. Instead of dairy, try using an almond or nut milk. If you have to use milk, make sure it is [...]
What do you suggest for “milk” for todlers?
Lauren,
Thanks for writing about almond milk. I have been enjoying it as a milk substitute as I am trying to transition into a vegan lifestyle for animal rights, health, and sustainability reasons. I have been drinking almond milk since reading Natalia Rose’s books but am always researching my choices to make sure they are indeed healthy (you never know what you’ll find out there!). I also drink Pacific unsweetened organic almond milk sweetened with a little agave and have been enjoying it. Unsweetened almond milk is also half the calories of skim cow’s milk! I may try the help milk next. I try to stay away from soy generally because of the hormones as well as the GMO soy beans that are out there.
I am going to keep reading your blog for sure!
-Alexis
I found your info about casein interesting. I assume you have read The China Study? There is interesting research presented about casein in animal studies… enough to make me want to cut out even the little I have each day in coffee (I’ve tried alternatives but don’t like how the soy and almond milk flavors tend to pollute the coffee taste I love… although Silk brand soy milk works great for chai lattes).