I cannot believe it is August.
Since I last posted I have been to and from New Jersey… back to Dallas, started a new full time nutritional consulting position, and, oh! purchased, moved, and in the process of unpacking, decorating, and redesigning my first house.
With so much going on, I have much on my mind. As this is my official diary for all thoughts nutrition, I will share. Please feel free to chime in.
Recently, I took my oldest to the pediatrician for a school sports physical. I let him do his thing. When we left, my son informed me that the doc was concerned that he was not getting enough calcium– A.K.A. We don’t drink milk. I smiled… but here are my real thoughts:
Cows naturally produce milk to feed their own offspring. They naturally stop producing milk when the calf is weaned from their mother. A calf is not intended to continually drink milk throughout their life.
Therefore, regardless of whether a milk is organic, or not, it is not natural for cows to keep producing milk after this time.
- Even if there are “no added hormones” in the milk, the mama cow is still given hormones to trick the body into thinking it is pregnant. Pregnant cow = Milk.
- (And we wonder why young ladies are so quick to develop, and hormonal imbalances, and acne are so prevalent)
Don’t get me wrong!
“Dairy” is Great!!
For a baby cow.
A mother’s milk is uniquely and perfectly formulated to nurse it’s own offspring. It provides the baby with nutrients specific to it’s own creation, including the milk sugar (lactose) and the actual enzyme needed to digest this sugar (lactase). It is the ultimate package deal. We do not naturally produce enough of this enzyme in order for the body to properly and completely digest this sugar. I don’t care if it is low fat, 1%, 2%, or beyond. It is for this reason that lactose intolerance is such a common health concern.
Lactose intolerance is not a disorder. It is normal.
Casein. Ah… my dear friend casein. Casein is a slow digesting protein often found in sports food/drink products. “Slow digesting” translates into stolen energy from the body. We want foods to be quick to digest (completely and properly) so that the body can absorb nutrients (which it does only once the food reaches the small intestine).
More time in the stomach = longer time to reach the S.I.
What else?
- We are the only mammal that drinks another animal’s milk.
- We are the only creature that drinks milk past infancy.
(Do you see adult cows drinking their mother’s milk? How about an adult cow drinking goat milk?– That would be something we would snap pictures of, right?)
A calf drinks milk in order to grow into a 300 pound cow.
We drink milk because?
(Drinking milk affects every body differently, but it can really pack on the pounds).
A cow’s milk is acid forming… which does the opposite of strengthen our bones.
It is highly congesting and can especially problematic for asthmatics and those with allergies.
Sorry Doc, Veggies are also a wonderful source of alkaline forming, blood building calcium and protein. The only concern I have about calcium is that kids naturally want to fit in with other kids/they like junk foods (which do NOT build strong bones).
Remember Popeye? (I mean the guy smoked a cigar, but at least he ate a ton of spinach).
On the idea that my kids will need to be drinking “Sports Drinks” and “more protein”…
It makes no sense to me that athletes, because they are working so hard, should need land-fed animal proteins, unnatural protein shakes, and artificially enhanced electrolyte beverages. It is true that any body undergoing such strenuous exercise is going to require more– but never should that “more” come at a bigger cost to our overall health. NO body needs Gatorade.
Bacon Cheeseburger?
BLT?
Steak burritos?
No.
Nuts, seeds, avocados, coconuts, or high quality protein shakes– like Vega are readily digestible plant proteins that can refuel the body, without inflammation or contradiction. Organic, grass fed eggs are another excellent option, along with high quality, wild fish.
It scares me that young athletes are suffering from kidney stones, and enlarged hearts. Preforming better now, should NOT cost a life.
On Breakfast:
Breakfast is great, but breakfast is not something that should be forced upon someone in order to speed metabolism– or because “It Is The MOST Important Part of the Day”. What is the best solid breakfast? A nutrient dense Green Smoothie. Energizing. Nourishing. Alkaline. Delicious.
What about yogurt. Yogurt may contain some live probiotics but you can get dairy-free, “congestion free” and alkaline probiotics from supplements, and other fermented foods. Read more on yogurt here.
On snacking:
Keep snacking to a minimum. It is false that eating multiple times a day actually speeds metabolism– It slows digestion, and waste removal. Need a snack? Try some real veggies dipped in guacamole, salsa, or mustard. Raw veggies contain nutrients, but also enzymes. Enzymes aid in digestion, and contribute to our overall health.
Pita Chips:
Alrighty. Pita Chips are not a healthy snack. They basically consist of bleached flours, sugar, and oil. Tasty? Sure. Better than Doritos– yeah… healthy snack? NO WAY JOSE. Try a baked organic corn tortilla chip for a healthier, salty crunch.
What I would love to see in restaurants:
- The Ultimate Variety of Veggies.
Freshly steamed artichoke, baked eggplant, baked mushrooms, steamed broccolini, roasted hatch peppers, giant mixed greed salad with olive oil, pink sea salt, and freshly grated garlic. (This was just round one).
Yes Please!
What is on your mind?
What does your doc say?
What are you currently loving?
What are your favorite healthy snacks?
I keep going back and forth about dairy. I love my cheese and it’s the last thing I’ve really held onto. And my kids LOVE milk (and are tiny, so could use the extra weight gain). I do buy only organic, so I thought that would take care of the hormone issue. But no? Boo! This is going to be a tough one for us.
try coconut milk, hazelnut milk, or almond milk…
as for the cheese– go for RAW goat and sheep. Even a pasteurized goat or sheep is more easily assimilated than a raw cow cheese.
cow dairy is not meant for human children. Unfortunately, even if they are still growing.
Hello! I’m very interested in becoming a nutritionist but I have no idea where to even start! Do you have any tips? I’m looking at an online degree but it seems like everywhere I look, they don’t have any degree based on nutrition. One place I looked had single courses, not degrees so that was a bust as well. I’ve been overweight, obsese my whole life and I’ve watched my father become sicker and sicker because we know nothing about nutrition, real nutrition. I want to dedicate my life to educating and helping others live life so healthy and happy. Thank you for reading, please write back!
Research NHI in San Diego. They are a great school. Prior to attending, I studied with Natalia Rose of http://www.detoxtheworld.com. I would be happy to work with you as a client and help to guide you. The courses at NHI will give you a nice foundation.
I wish there were Doctors out there who really knew about nutrition. They give such conflicting advice and I want my son to grow up healthy. Whenever I ask his pediatrician about portions of food or what food i should be feeding my son, he only answer is “as much and as often as he wants.” Whatever that means!
I LOVE your blog! I am 16 years old but am in love with nutrition. I think I may need to become a nutritionist. I am in Greece right now so there is a lot of meat and dairy products being consumed at meals, not a good thing for me.
Currently loving the ocean and Greek salad!
My favourite healthy snacks, though it depends on the season, are bananas rolled in nuts and prunes. For summer it is basically any fruit!
So amazing to hear from you!! How wonderful that you are interested in nutrition at such a young age.
Greek salads are delish. Have some olives for me.
Love the snack ideas!!
Hi Lauren,
I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while and love it! I started running last fall and also read ‘the no meat athlete’. It’s amazing to me how common it is to just assume that you can’t be athletic if you don’t eat meat!
Thanks for your comment!!! You are so right!
I would love to hear your thoughts on a milk alternative for children under 2. I never wanted to start my child on cow’s milk after I stopped breastfeeding after his first birthday, but I was so concerned about him getting enough nutrients. I initially started him on goat’s milk but the doc said he needed it for the proper nutrients. I’m not buying it! We eat a lot of fresh veggies and fruits and lean proteins and buy as much organic foods as our budget will allow but as a 15 month old he can sometimes be very finicky with his eating so I’m afraid he’s not getting enough of what his little body needs. I also pay close attention to whats in the few packaged items I do buy, such as the whole grain cereals and breads. Love your blog by the way!! Its honest and sincere. I am hoping to get my certification in personal training this year and am gaining more interest in the ways of nutrition.
Small correction: Dairy milk is a supply-and-demand system. The cow does have to have BEEN pregnant to produce milk, yes, but she does not have to be currently pregnant, nor does she have to be continually given hormones to continue producing that milk. If they keep milking her, she’ll keep producing. Same as humans.
That said, I don’t consume dairy either for all the other reasons you’ve stated here. It’s not made for us.
Thank you for your comment.
I sincerely appreciate this strong statement.