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Dairy Controversy and Dairy Alternatives
By Anita SK Cheung
Did you know that if you give a baby cow “milk” (the pasteurized kind we buy from the store nowadays), it will die in two months?
We humans seem to be more resilient – we don’t die quite that soon, although overtime we develop osteoporosis, prostate and breast cancers, diabetes, cardio vascular diseases, etc.
Medical doctors of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found that dairy consumption can give you the following:
1. Osteoporosis
2. Cardiovascular Disease
3. Cancer
4. Diabetes
5. Gastrointestinal distress
6. Contaminants
Have you noticed that strong bones are not one of them?
While people in dairy drinking countries grow taller, bigger and faster than those in non dairy drinking countries, they also have the highest rates of osteoporosis, which means they lose their bone just as fast!
What about raw milk?
For the health aware, all the above may not be news. And now we are hearing about “raw” (unpasteurized) milk. In most countries, including Hong Kong, unpasteurized milk is illegal because of public health concerns. If you come from a culture that had utilized dairy well and you have the digestive ability to digest REAL dairy, AND you happen to have access to raw milk from a dairy cow near you, you are lucky! Raw milk is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-viral. No pasteurization is required if you drink it straight. Baby cows drink it from bacteria and feces infected udders!
But for the rest of us who don’t keep a cow in our backyard, just remember most of the world’s population did not use dairy in their adult life and we have come this far!
Dairy-free “milk” and Bill Clinton’s new diet?
Bill Clinton made headlines recently by sharing his weight loss secret. He said he has switched to almond milk from cow’s milk, as well as eating a plant-based diet and taking a protein supplement. He said his whole metabolism changed as a result, and he did this as a result of being inspired by doctors’ advice like that of Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. Caldell Essellstyn, who promote a plant-based diet as the most effective way to reverse common diseases of modern living like heart diseases, diabetes and cancer.
So if you are used to having a “milky” liquid to pour over your cereal or put into your tea, you can try these alternatives below:
• Almond milk – made from soaked raw almond nuts with water (blended and strained), can be flavoured and enhanced with vanilla beans, sea salt and ginger, lower fat than milk and very delicious. Many nuts can be used to make “milk”, including cashew, macadamian and hazelnut. (Higher fat content and creamier!)
• Coconut milk – made from blending up coconut water and flesh, the medium chain saturated fat from coconut (especially if you use mature coconuts) makes it high in fat but it’s “good fat” that will actually assist in healthy cholesteral level and provide energy. Not as high in calcium as cow’s milk – but you can get it from leafy greens!
• Hemp milk – made from hempseeds and water, naturally high in omega 3 and 6 and protein, can be enhanced with a gentle sweetener like palm sugar and vanilla beans (yes you can get hempseeds from us or other health food stores).
• Rice milk – usually store bought and sweetened with sugar. Not much fat, protein or calcium. Best to be improved by adding Sunwarrior sprouted brown rice protein and virgin coconut oil if you want protein and fat as you would normally expect from dairy. Again get your calcium from dark leafy greens and green superfoods.
• Soy milk – it is quite available in pre-made form but choose organic and non GM sources. But best freshly made with pre-soaked beans for best absorption, can be enhanced with ginger, sea salt and a touch of gentle sweetener. Alternate soy milk with other vegan “milks” as too much soy can have a thyroid suppressing effect.
Did you know even “cheese” can be made without dairy? Fermented nuts can be made into vegan cheeses with the use of probiotics. It tastes as good and is easier to digest.
By Anita SK Cheung
Did you know that if you give a baby cow “milk” (the pasteurized kind we buy from the store nowadays), it will die in two months?
We humans seem to be more resilient – we don’t die quite that soon, although overtime we develop osteoporosis, prostate and breast cancers, diabetes, cardio vascular diseases, etc.
Medical doctors of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found that dairy consumption can give you the following:
1. Osteoporosis
2. Cardiovascular Disease
3. Cancer
4. Diabetes
5. Gastrointestinal distress
6. Contaminants
Have you noticed that strong bones are not one of them?
While people in dairy drinking countries grow taller, bigger and faster than those in non dairy drinking countries, they also have the highest rates of osteoporosis, which means they lose their bone just as fast!
What about raw milk?
For the health aware, all the above may not be news. And now we are hearing about “raw” (unpasteurized) milk. In most countries, including Hong Kong, unpasteurized milk is illegal because of public health concerns. If you come from a culture that had utilized dairy well and you have the digestive ability to digest REAL dairy, AND you happen to have access to raw milk from a dairy cow near you, you are lucky! Raw milk is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-viral. No pasteurization is required if you drink it straight. Baby cows drink it from bacteria and feces infected udders!
But for the rest of us who don’t keep a cow in our backyard, just remember most of the world’s population did not use dairy in their adult life and we have come this far!
Dairy-free “milk” and Bill Clinton’s new diet?
Bill Clinton made headlines recently by sharing his weight loss secret. He said he has switched to almond milk from cow’s milk, as well as eating a plant-based diet and taking a protein supplement. He said his whole metabolism changed as a result, and he did this as a result of being inspired by doctors’ advice like that of Dr. Dean Ornish and Dr. Caldell Essellstyn, who promote a plant-based diet as the most effective way to reverse common diseases of modern living like heart diseases, diabetes and cancer.
So if you are used to having a “milky” liquid to pour over your cereal or put into your tea, you can try these alternatives below:
• Almond milk – made from soaked raw almond nuts with water (blended and strained), can be flavoured and enhanced with vanilla beans, sea salt and ginger, lower fat than milk and very delicious. Many nuts can be used to make “milk”, including cashew, macadamian and hazelnut. (Higher fat content and creamier!)
• Coconut milk – made from blending up coconut water and flesh, the medium chain saturated fat from coconut (especially if you use mature coconuts) makes it high in fat but it’s “good fat” that will actually assist in healthy cholesteral level and provide energy. Not as high in calcium as cow’s milk – but you can get it from leafy greens!
• Hemp milk – made from hempseeds and water, naturally high in omega 3 and 6 and protein, can be enhanced with a gentle sweetener like palm sugar and vanilla beans (yes you can get hempseeds from us or other health food stores).
• Rice milk – usually store bought and sweetened with sugar. Not much fat, protein or calcium. Best to be improved by adding Sunwarrior sprouted brown rice protein and virgin coconut oil if you want protein and fat as you would normally expect from dairy. Again get your calcium from dark leafy greens and green superfoods.
• Soy milk – it is quite available in pre-made form but choose organic and non GM sources. But best freshly made with pre-soaked beans for best absorption, can be enhanced with ginger, sea salt and a touch of gentle sweetener. Alternate soy milk with other vegan “milks” as too much soy can have a thyroid suppressing effect.
Did you know even “cheese” can be made without dairy? Fermented nuts can be made into vegan cheeses with the use of probiotics. It tastes as good and is easier to digest.
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