24/08/2021
Is dairy milk bad? Is dairy milk actually healthy?
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There are several iterations of these questions that float around. I am sure many other nutrition professionals can relate to this subject matter.
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Long story short, if you can’t comfortably consume dairy milk, sure, it’s not great. However, many people can and do comfortably consume dairy milk. That’s not to say that EVERYONE should consume it.
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1 cup of 2% reduced-fat milk contains 8 grams of protein, 12 grams of carbohydrates, and 5 grams of fat. That’s about 1 gram of protein per fluid ounce. It’s an incredibly easy way to get extra protein and energy into your day, especially if you have a busy day! The overall distribution of macronutrients is also so well balanced, it makes a great post-workout beverage all on its own.
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Though it is well-balanced nutritionally, it is important to consider ethics. Before diving into this portion, it’s important to note that many dairy farmers, regardless of how they operate, care about the health and happiness of their cows.
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Some large dairy companies keep their dairy cows in refinement. By definition, this means 700 dairy cows in a confined area for a minimum of 45 days.
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Some consumers aren’t comfortable with this knowledge. However, not all dairy operations keep dairy cows confined There are countless dairy operations that have cows out of confined areas, and countless dairy farms that do keep their cows in confinement that really care for their cows!
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Another con of dairy milk is that most of the time it must be refrigerated. Not everyone has access to a refrigerator to keep the milk from spoiling. Though, there are powdered milk options that are very cheap and affordable, and easily accessible for many people.
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Overall, dairy milk is just food, no better and no worse than anything else out there. It just depends on your preferences, dietary needs, budget, and countless other factors that play into how, what, and why you buy the food you do!