Lactose Intolerance and Dairy Milk Alternatives

We’ve always heard that milk is good for you, and while that is true, not everyone can drink milk. If you can, it is a great source of calcium and important for bone strength. If you are on a low calorie diet, milk is especially important because your bone strength can become depleted. Milk can also help lose belly fat by allowing your body to store more lean muscle and less fat

I had no idea until this year how common lactose intolerance is and how is actually more normal than being able to drink milk. Most humans become lactose intolerant around the age of four, when we should by most standards of nature. All other animals lose their ability to process milk after weaning.

What is really interesting about this is that our ability to digest milk is related to our ethnicity, and our ethnicities historic relationships with cattle. For example only 14% of Northern Europeans develop lactose intolerance, compared with 67% of Southern Europeans, 100% in Far East Asia – and 90% of Asian Americans.

Luckily if you are lactose intolerant, or vegan, or just looking for a milk alternative, you can try soy milk or almond milk!

Soy Milk:

Soy is a complete protein, making it a great meat substitute in a vegetarian diet. For the protein it supplies, it is actually extremely calorie efficient. It also contains phytochemicals that help cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.

Some soy products—those that are very processed, are unhealthy, but since soy milk is not very processed the fiber and all other major nutrients of soy (such as protein, omega-3 and other vitamins and minerals) are still in tact.

It has been speculated that soy is not safe for breast cancer survivors, but recent studies suggest the opposite and state that it may actually decrease the probability of breast tumor recurrence.

I really like this picture

Almond Milk:

Almond milk is another alternative to dairy milk. It is high in protein and is sometimes favored by athletes for that reason. It is also high in selenium, which boosts the immune system. If you are worried about  missing out on milk because of its importance for bone strength, almond milk can also help with bone strength because it is high in magnesium.

Almond milk is sweeter than dairy milk, so it tastes great in many recipes including smoothies! It has less calories than dairy and soy milk, so it is great if you are trying to lose weight. Try mixing it with ShapeWay in the morning in a smoothie for a perfect way to start your morning.