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Last Updated: Mar 29, 2020
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Should You Give Up Dairy Foods To Be Healthier?

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Dt. Mrinali DivechaDietitian/Nutritionist • 9 Years Exp.M.Sc Food & Nutrition
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Infants are fed solely on breast milk. For young children, a glass of milk once or twice a day is a must. But most people have this question in mind that as you grow older, should dairy products still be a part of your diet? After all, humans are the only animals that drink milk in their adult years.

Argument in favour: Drink milk for strong bones
One of the most common reasons people still drink milk as adults is to strengthen their bones. Milk is one of the richest sources of calcium and vitamin D. Calcium is an integral part of our bones and Vitamin D helps the body absorb more calcium. If you have healthy bones, your risk of fractures is greatly reduced. One glass of milk has 30% of our daily requirements of calcium.

If you were to remove milk from your diet, it is important to substitute it with the following foods:

Exposure to the sun can also give your body vitamin D, but exposing yourself to sunlight increases the risk of other conditions such as sun allergies and skin cancer.

Argument against: Giving up milk can aid in weightloss

For people who are overweight, this could help lose a few kilos. This is mainly because dairy products contain sugar and many of us flavour it with even more sugar. It can also make you feel less bloated.

  • Milk is not easy to digest as when you have an upset stomach, you are advised to avoid milk. This is because it is not easy to digest. For people who are lactose intolerant, giving up milk can make digestion of others foods easier. It can also help treat irritable bowel syndrome caused by indigestion.
  • Giving up milk can improve skin
  • Giving up milk can also lower the frequency and intensity of acne flare-ups. Some dermatologists also say that it could help treat eczema.
  • Quitting milk is not easy. After all, we consume dairy products in so many ways. We add it to our cereals, use it in sauces and what would pizza be without cheese. If you cannot avoid milk, do not add sugar to it. Also, avoid low-fat milk. However, you could find replacement such as almond milk, soy milk, and tofu. These foods are healthier and easier to digest. Instead of ice cream, you could end your meals with greek yogurt.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

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