The Cons of Dairy

New non-dairy milk, such as almond, coconut and many other options are intriguing and numerous. Meanwhile, traditional milk sales are dropping. People are asking, now, more than ever: Is dairy actually healthy, or is the plant-based movement worth the hype? In this article, we will be focusing mainly on the negatives of dairy. Here’s the scoop!

1. Lactose

Photo by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash

This dairy sugar is two sugars bonded together. Lactase, an enzyme in your body, breaks that bond so the individual sugars can be digested. However, for people that have a compromised ability to digest lactose, consuming dairy can disrupt the GI tract and provide fuel for bacteria in the gut, leading to bloating and gas.

2. Acne

Photo by ian dooley on Unsplash

Acne can be a huge issue for adults with dairy issues. A growing body of research links dairy with acne, though researchers aren't entirely sure why; some possibilities include the use of growth hormones and steroids in cows used for milk production.

3. High in Saturated Fat

Photo by ABHISHEK HAJARE on Unsplash

Some dairy products, particularly whole milk, butter and cheese, should be consumed in moderation due to their saturated fat content. Trans and saturated fats are known to increase total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol LDL levels, heightening the risk for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and obesity!

4. It can carry diseases

Photo by Mehrshad Rajabi on Unsplash

Consuming unpasteurised raw milk and its products can lead to serious health issues. Without pasteurization, the process of heating milk to a specific temperature to kill bacteria, parasites and viruses can thrive, spreading disease.

Photo by Louis Hansel @shotsoflouis on Unsplash

Here are some dairy alternatives for you to have your daily sources for calcium, vitamin D and other minerals.

Calcium-rich Foods

• Almonds
• Beans
• Broccoli
• Kale
• Rice and soy milk
• Chia and poppy seeds

Vitamin D-rich Foods

• Fortified cereal
• Mackerel
• Mushrooms
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Tuna