Dairy?

[Happy Professional]

What is the deal with dairy? Some people says it is terrible for you. How come?

Thanks

[2pac Shakur]

Dear Dairy,

I am lactose intolerant. As are most people. Plus, you are fattening. I hate you!

2pac shakur

[LoneGirl]

What is the deal with dairy? Some people says it is terrible for you. How come?

Thanks

I have never understood why some people say it's bad. I eat dairy often - I know it's important, especially for women, to get enough calcium. Plus, they've even done studies that show it may help you lose weight (I'm not sure I believe that though). I personally love dairy and could never give up milk, ice cream, and cheese!

[Gretchen]

Women particularly absolutely need calcium, and dairy is a prime place to get it (although other products - like OJ - have started adding some too).

And it doesn't have to be fattening. I drink fat free/skim milk (yes, you can get used to it....) - 80 calories. Fat free yogurt - 80 calories. Low-fat or non-fat chesses are available (OK - so the taste of these leaves a bit to be desired, but again, you can get used to it!).

Some dairy is very fattening - you just have to be judicious. For example, one of my favorite cheeses is Monterrey Jack - really high fat, and doesn't seem to come in low fat versions. So I've had to cut WAAAY back on that, but there are other things I like that I can eat, so not that big a deal.

[Maine-iac]

I drink skim as well. Gretchen is right, you get used to it. I don't really like higher fat milks now. They taste kind of greasy to me. I eat cottage cheese, low-fat ricotta, and Cabot's 50% and 75% light cheddars. Lots of low-fat feta too. Occasional other low fat cheeses thrown in.

Why does dairy have a bad rep?

1. Some folks are lactose intolerant. Obviously, they will not feel kindly disposed toward dairy foods.
2. There is a theory that if you have allergies, sinus troubles, etc. milk products increase mucus production. Evidence to support this is pretty poor, but the idea persists.
3. Ultra-serious organic types fear the hormones and antibiotics dairy cows may have ingested. No credible evidence exists that these cause significant harm, but some folks shy away on general principles. (The antibiotic thing is more the harm it could cause in the development of resistant strains, rather than harm it would do to an ingester of milk.)

[LoneGirl]

I agree on the skim milk - that's all I can drink now. Even 2% is too thick for me - I think it tastes like cream.

[Gretchen]

I agree on the skim milk - that's all I can drink now. Even 2% is too thick for me - I think it tastes like cream.

Agreed. I was rasied on 2%, but at my college dorm, my choices were either skim or whole - fortunately I opted for the skim. Once I got used to it, never went back.

And I've got my kids on skim milk (OK once they hit 2 years old). They probably get 2% at daycare, but are fine with either - so they won't have to 'get' used to it - they already are.

And besides women, kids definitely need the calcium and protein from milk also.

[LoneGirl]

My parents switched to skim when I was in high school, so that's when I got used to it. However, when I was home visiting one time, I fixed myself a bowl of cereal without even looking at the milk carton. When I took my first bite, I about gagged - it was whole milk. I had to throw the cereal out - I just couldn't stand the taste!

[2pac Shakur]

3. Ultra-serious organic types fear the hormones and antibiotics dairy cows may have ingested. No credible evidence exists that these cause significant harm, but some folks shy away on general principles. (The antibiotic thing is more the harm it could cause in the development of resistant strains, rather than harm it would do to an ingester of milk.)

Read about rbgh and Monsanto, then tell me if you still believe that.

If you have to drink milk (which is disgusting when you think about it), make sure it is organic (rbgh free). Unless you like a bunch of pus and antibiotics in your drink. (rbgh causes mastisis)

[Me Too]

Unless you like a bunch of pus and antibiotics in your drink. (rbgh causes mastisis)Mastitis does not imply pus in milk. Nursing moms can safely keep nursing their babies even if they get mastitis.

I hate biology so I'm probably not getting this quite right, but another reason some people say dairy is bad (for dieting) is that dairy fat sticks with you the most. This is a really good thing if you are a baby, but not such a good thing if you are an overweight adult. The calcium is very good for you and can help you burn more fat, but the dairy fat is considered worse than a lot of other kinds of fat by some.

[Bamafan]

My nutritionist - and various magazines and what not - are claiming that some dairy is good, and it helps to get rid of stubborn belly fat. I believe it is due to the calcium. They recommended yogurt over other stuff, but said anything (in moderation) is better than none at all.

[Happy Professional]

Read about rbgh and Monsanto, then tell me if you still believe that.

If you have to drink milk (which is disgusting when you think about it), make sure it is organic (rbgh free). Unless you like a bunch of pus and antibiotics in your drink. (rbgh causes mastisis)


Does this go for cheese as well?

Are you a vegetarian 2Pac? (Honest question)

[General Apathy]

:bump:

[LoneGirl]

IMO, dairy's still quite tasty! :)

[Roto]

Sharp Cheddar = awesome

Milk = Disgusting

Yogurt = Outstanding

Cottage Cheese = OK

Ice Cream = :tup:

[Double High C]

From an evolutionary standpoint, it seems intuitive that dairy is either not needed or bad for you beyond the age when babies normally are nursed.

And dairy does cause excess mucous. Or at least it seems to do so for me.

And I have heard that all people are lactose intolerant, to at least a slight degree (though it is probably not noticeable for most, and this in and of itself is probably not a serious health hazard).

Having said all that, I do still eat dairy.

[LoneGirl]

Sharp Cheddar = awesome

Milk = Disgusting

Yogurt = Outstanding

Cottage Cheese = OK

Ice Cream = :tup:

You forgot cheesecake = outstanding. That's a dairy food, right? ;)

[General Apathy]

I just had a Soy Milk Smoothie