While we’ve been taught that milk is healthy to drink. For some people it is okay but for many it can be detrimental. Dairy is one of the most common food allergies. Even for people without specific dairy allergies, milk is frequently not tolerated well by the gastrointestinal tract. Milk can cause bloating, constipation and reflux in many people. Milk has also been linked to increased eczema, sinus problems, congestion, migraine headaches and joint pain.
For those who do drink dairy, they should be picky about the milk chosen. Many cows are given growth hormones to increase their milk production and antibiotics to decrease infections. These materials contaminate the milk and get into our bodies. It is best to choose milks that clearly states the cows used to produce the milk were not given any hormones or antibiotics. Organic milk is not good enough, as this does not necessarily mean no hormones or antibiotics were used. This could just mean that the cows were fed organic grain.
Milk from grass-fed cows is the best option. Other sources of feed are only used to increase their size and milk production. A cow’s internal system is unique and has adapted to processing grasses as their major food source. Other types of food fatten up the cow but make them less healthy. This affects the meat and the milk. Cows fed exclusively grass will be healthier and produce healthier milk.
A healthier choice to drink in place of cow’s milk is almond milk. Almond milk will not cause you to experience bloating, constipation, or reflux. It has a high nutritional content, while being low in fat. While cow’s milk, rice milk and soy milk often have added minerals and vitamins, these nutrients occur naturally in almond milk. Almond milk is derived from almonds, so contains all the benefits of eating almonds, plus it is nutrient dense and tastes great. Almond milk helps with weight loss, healthy digestion, increased energy, lowering cholesterol, and reducing the risk of heart disease.
The protein in almond milk is comparable to regular cow’s milk, but easier to digest. It is also loaded with several vitamins and minerals. Almond milk contains vitamin E (an antioxidant which helps to prevent cancer and slow the signs of aging), magnesium and monounsaturated fats that help to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart diseases. Almond milk also contains manganese, copper and riboflavin (help to reduce the number of free radicals in the body, protecting you from degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes). These nutrients also play an important role in energy production.
Almond milk is also significantly lower in calories than regular milk. Drinking it can help to reduce weight, BMI, and overall body fat. Unsweetened Almond milk has around 40 calories per serving, and about three grams of healthy fat per serving, Almond milk also has no cholesterol or saturated fat, making it a very healthy drink. It is high in healthy fats and omega fatty acids (help lower your levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol, protect your heart, and improve cognitive function). It is also high in fiber, which is important for healthy digestion.
Share this with 5 of your friends. Switch to Almond milk for 1 month and compare your results on how you feel.
– Sarah, RN
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