Ahh, dairy. Just thinking about melty cheese, creamy ice cream, or a cold glass of milk with warm cookies is enough to get just about anyone’s mouth watering. An added bonus? We’ve been told by people since day one that dairy is good for us, builds strong bones, and is an essential food group for a healthy diet.
However, research over the past 5-10 years has begun to show otherwise. Dairy products may not be what all we’ve thought they were cracked up to be. Here’s why you should consider either heavily reducing your dairy intake, or eliminating it all together.
- Did you know that almost ¾ of the world’s population is lactose intolerant to an extent? This is because after infancy, when humans are genetically designed to drink milk, they begin to stop producing the enzyme necessary for dairy digestion. Have you ever noticed that after drinking a milkshake, eating ice cream, or eating cheesy pasta, your stomach is upset? This could very well be caused by the dairy products you’ve just eaten. I urge you to eliminate dairy from your diet for one to two weeks to see if it may be what is contributing to your upset stomach!
- Studies have shown that not only is milk not necessary for a healthy, well-rounded diet, but it is also not the catchall for preventing broken bones now or even osteoporosis in the future. Calcium is certainly necessary for good bone health, but humans don’t absorb the calcium in cow’s milk very well. Not only that, but it can also leech the present calcium that our bones already have. It’s no coincidence that the areas around the world with the lowest dairy consumption like African and Asian countries have the lowest rates of bone fractures and osteoporosis. Instead of depending on dairy for your calcium needs, try to incorporate more dark leafy greens, beans, and certain types of fish like salmon and rainbow trout.
- For years, we were taught that eating fat makes you fat. Wrong! Eating sugar excessively contributes to weight gain more than anything else we do. Dairy products typically have moderate-high rates of sugar, which can cause your insulin to spike and that sugar to ultimately be stored as fat. Think about it: a glass of milk has around 12 grams of sugar, a serving of yogurt has between 12 and 20 grams, and a serving of ice cream has anywhere from 15 – 35 grams of sugar. If you’re eating dairy at every meal, think of how drastically you could reduce your sugar intake by eliminating dairy from your diet. This reduction in sugar could be just what you were missing to lose that last stubborn 10 pounds.
Still skeptical? Try eliminating dairy from your diet for just one week. See how it effects your digestion, skin, and weight and I promise you won’t go back. While an occasional treat of ice cream every now and then certainly won’t ruin all of your weight loss efforts, cutting back could definitely give you the boost you need!
If you are looking to feel better, eat healthier, and lose weight consider one of my online programs! Use the links below for more info! I would love to work with you!
