Why no dairy on the Whole30?

"The United States has one of the highest rates of osteoporosis in the world, despite having one of the highest calcium intakes."

Hi everyone,

Click here for an illuminating article on dairy from The New York Times.

Is dairy bad for you?  It really depends on you - and for many, the type of dairy.  The only way to really know is to "reset", which is why we'll be giving up dairy on the Whole30.

Some truth about Milk & Dairy. 

1) Milk is great for babies.  The definition of milk is: "an opaque white fluid rich in fat and protein, secreted by female mammals for the nourishment of their young." So milk is an excellent source of nutrients for newborn.  Whole30's view is once you've grown up, it's no longer needed.  Along with this concept is that WE are not cows, so we don't actually ever need cow's milk.  

2) Dairy's Proteins: Casein & Whey.

Casein, which is also found in concentrated forms in cheese, can cause a histamine, allergic-like response, including headaches, sneezing, GI upset.  Casein, to your body, also looks a lot like gluten.  So if you are sensitive to gluten there's a solid chance dairy is also giving you trouble.  Whey, without getting too technical, causes the body to release a lot of insulin, which can create an unbalanced hormonal response. 

3) Lactose - if you are someone who has trouble digesting lactose, you may experience bloating and GI upset.  

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But Isn't it a Great Source of Calcium? 

Calcium is important for bone health, of course, but it's not simply digesting calcium that creates strong bones.  It's calcium absorption.  This whole area is complicated but these are some things that negatively affect the absorption of calcium include hormonal imbalance and inflammation, phytates and not enough protein in your diet.

Other ways to get Calcium?

The calcium found in green vegetables is found to be more useful to your body than in milk.  Kale, spinach, sundried tomatoes, green peppers, broccoli.  And almonds.  

So what am I supposed to use for my coffee?  

Let's hear it for almond milk!!!  Whole30 recommends you make your own almond milk.  I also LOVE cashew milk.  Make sure it's unsweetened.  

What about butter?

Go pick up some Ghee (clarified butter) at the health food store.  Or here at amazon.  It is simply clarified butter and it tastes EXACTLY the same.  My sister made mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving with ghee and no one knew - and we have a tough bunch of critics.

Happy eating!  

Love,

Tracey