OK, pop quiz time. Question 1: When human babies are born, what do they eat/drink? Answer: Most of the time it is their mother's breast milk. Question 2: When baby cows are born, what do they eat/drink? Answer: Milk from their mother's utters.
The reason for this is that cows produce milk for the same reason humans do. Cow's milk is meant to raise calves. Calves are generally big, or at least larger than you and I were at birth. Do you see where I'm going with this? Breast milk is meant to nurse 8-pound babies into 24-pound toddlers. Cows' milk is meant to grow a 90-pound calf into a 2,000-pound cow in two years.
An uglier side to this tragedy is that some calves are not so lucky to even be breast fed. Some are sent off to become veal. VEAL! People actually eat poor baby cows, with a side of potatoes and a Coke. Sad face.
Don't get me wrong, I believe in the food chain. I understand that we are the greatest species and blah, blah, blah. But we're not cavemen and women anymore. We don't need to hunt for our food.
Most of us, at least in this country, have everything readily available for us. For those who don't, go for it — hunt away.
Maybe that's what certain groups of people need to do for survival. But here, in America?
It is just time to adapt to the fact that we don't need to kill animals and eat meat to survive.
Once the calves are taken away to become dinner, the mommy cows are hooked up, multiple times a day, to heavy-duty milking machines. Wait, did you actually think Farmer Joe woke up at 6 a.m. every day, sat on a stool and milked each cow with his bare hands? Keep dreaming.
These machines force cows to produce about 10 times as much milk as they would naturally for a calf. So many unnatural hormones and chemicals go into this process as well.
Think that's painful for the cow? It is. Not to mention all the blood and pus that seeps out with the milk from the excruciating squeezing of each udder (which, at this point, is already inflamed from heavy hormone manipulation.)
Not only is the entire process unnatural, it is just plain unnatural for us to drink another mammal's milk. We are the only species that does this, and the only species that continues to drink milk once the breast, teat, udder — whatever you want to call it — dries up.
Luckily, there are alternatives! Now that we are all used to drinking milk with our cereal, chocolate milk, milk shakes, ice cream and so on, we don't have to give it up! What a relief, right? I can't imagine giving up ice cream. In fact, I eat ice cream several times a week and it tastes better and is less fattening than regular ice cream. Same goes for milk. I could not live without cereal, I could eat it for every meal.
Instead of dairy milk, I drink almond milk -- SO much better! Allergic to nuts? Try soy milk. Soy's not your thing? Try rice milk, coconut milk, the list is practically endless. I promised tasty alternatives and I don't plan on letting you down. Not only are all of these options healthier and better tasting, they also last much longer in the fridge than that gallon of milk you have sitting in there right now. Bonus!
Listed below are the top 5 reasons to ditch dairy according to The Plant-Based Dietitian, Julieanna Hever, MS, RD.
And of course, I took liberty upon myself to mix in some of my own commentary and ideas.
1. Dairy destroys your bones. Whoever made up the rumor that milk helps you grow your bones big and strong is a liar. And those "Got Milk?" ads are pretty cute, too. Countries around the world that drink the most dairy have the most osteoporosis and hip fractures. The more dairy you eat or drink, the more bone density you lose.
2. Allergies, ear infections, bronchial health problems, sinus issues, constipation, anemia, irritable bowel syndrome and many other conditions are worsened or even brought on to begin with by consuming dairy.
3. It smells! Seriously. I recall some ancient issue of Seventeen magazine suggesting to "just say no" to ice cream after dinner when on a date. Dairy is terrible for your breath! The reason for this is that once you're done eating something, the bacteria resides inside your mouth.
Bacteria breaks down the foods into their various components as part of the digestion process; milk, of course, is primarily made up of protein. In turn, the protein consists of various amino acids. As the bacteria are digesting these amino acids, bacteria activity gives rise to a volatile emission of sulfuric compounds. The more bacteria you have in your mouth, the more sulfuric compounds are released and the longer the stink will linger. Good luck getting that second kiss!
As for another unattractive characteristic, dairy is highly acidic and creates excess mucus.
4. Casein is a protein found in cow's milk. Dr. T. Colin Campbell, author of The China Study, found casein to be a powerful cancer promoter after decades of laboratory research. He was able to turn cancer on and off simply by increasing the amount of raw casein fed.
Plus, countless studies have proven that vegans are less likely to develop cancer. In fact, a vegan diet maximizes the intake of foods that help fight cancer. Up to 40 percent of all cancers are preventable.
5. Human beings are designed to drink human milk for a certain period of time while we still have the specific digestive enzymes in our stomachs. Otherwise, Mother Nature simply never intended for us to drink another species' milk throughout our adult years. Fathom that. We are the only species that drinks the lactation excretions of another species. Ew!
Additionally, the USDA declares what is and is not acceptable to put in our foods. However, what we as the public do not know is that those same chemicals that are deemed unfit for humans to eat are being fed to the cattle — the same cattle we get our milk and burgers from.
I know I mentioned baby steps last week. And that's completely acceptable. I know, it's hard. But trust me, you'll survive. And lucky for you you'll survive even longer! Substitute your favorite cheeses, milks, yogurts, cream cheese and so on.
Check out Whole Food's dairy section. There you'll find endless flavors of cheese, even shredded cheese for tacos and homemade pizzas, along with other delicious vegan and vegetarian options. Go explore. And the best part is, you wont be able to taste the difference!
The Publix Greenwise section is also packed with a few non-dairy options such as dairy-free mayonnaise.
Try the milks I listed earlier. If you happen to live near a Whole Foods, check it out. They have yogurts made from soy and rice.
Even if you just free yourself from dairy for a week you will feel a difference.
