Day 11 ? Dairy: You Decide

Whether or not to consume dairy can is a personal choice. There’s no one size fits all when it comes to food. When it comes to dairy, there are some pretty strong opinions which makes it a bit of a controversial topic. There are?claims that pasteurized, low-fat dairy is healthy and can be consumed two to three times a?day. Others say that raw, full-fat dairy is healthier because it contains most?of the available nutrients. And then there?s the camp that insists on no dairy at all.

Who?s right? It truly is a personal choice. Here are a few things to consider:

• As I mentioned, there?s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to dietary advice. Ask yourself how you feel before, during and after ingesting dairy. Does it bother your stomach (gas, bloating, stomach aches)? If the answer is yes, consider a dairy alternative like almond, soy or rice milk and goat cheese.
• Should you buy organic or non-organic? The cost of organic milk is considerably higher than non-organic milk. However, you may consider it worth the cost to not have antibiotics or growth hormone added. In addition, studies have shown higher vitamin E, omega-3, antioxidants and beta-carotene in organic milk which may also make the price tag worth it.
• And what about raw milk? Raw milk has been shown to?contain bacteria beneficial for gut health. The flip side of this is it could also lead to illness because without pasteurization, there’s no way?to kill off potentially harmful bacteria or pathogens. Raw?milk tastes fresher, but spoils more quickly (must be consumed within a week of bottling). It?contains enzymes such as lipase that aids in digestion, especially for those who are lactose intolerant, as well as vitamins and minerals that are missing in pasteurized milk.

The information is confusing, I know. If you?re still undecided, do more research. Then weigh out the facts and decide what?s best for you.

Did you miss a few days? Click here to start at Day 1.