Ridiculous thread about cows milk

[Fantasisa]

I'm prepared to be flamed but I'm contemplating giving up cow's milk (but not becoming vegan/vegetarian) because I can't stand the thought of cow's being separated from their calves and then used as milking machines. I think the fact that I'm breastfeeding DS1 at the moment might be adding to my feelings.

Does anyone else avoid milk for a similar reason but continue to eat other animal products?

Myth no 2 ‘We need cow’s milk for calcium’
It’s accepted wisdom to so many people that we can only get the calcium we need, for healthy bones, from cow’s milk. But that’s so very, very wrong.

Not only is milk not the only source of calcium in food, it is by a long way not the richest source of calcium in food and not the most easily used by humans either.

There are over 20 plant based foods that contain more calcium than milk on a pound for pound basis. And the calcium in these plants is actually more easily absorbed by our bodies (more bio available) than that in milk and milk-derived products. More and better calcium actually comes from plants.

Better sources than milk include dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale, cabbage and watercress. Dried fruits, nuts, seeds, pulses (peas, beans and lentils) are also excellent sources of calcium. These foods offer many other health benefits (see subsequent busted myths) as well as providing a natural and safe source of calcium.

So we don’t need cows milk for our calcium, but consider this also. Cow’s milk is an unnatural food for humans to consume – over 70 per cent of the world’s population are lactose intolerant and can’t digest it. That should be no real surprise milk is, after all, baby food for cows. Humans are the only mammals in the world that consume baby milk from another species, and seek to do so in adulthood. Are we just weird?

Diets rich in diary products are associated with an increased risk of many diseases including osteoporosis (a bone disease..!), cancer, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

Ever wonder where cows get their calcium?….

Let’s cut out the middleman, milk really is not a smart way to get our calcium. And most of the world’s people already don’t get their calcium that way.

zerocarbonista.com/top-ten-food-choice-myths-busted/

I did this exactly for your reasons. I felt that milk was a really easy first step to cut out. I don't think I'll ever be vege or vegan tbh but I wanted to ease my conscience by cutting down.

I cannot believe how much better I feel without dairy. I feel so much cleaner and lighter- I can't explain it any other way. No more 'food baby' digestion! And when I do eat it I know about it very quickly.

The only thing I miss is Greek yogurt, the substitutes are not great. But otherwise, nothing - I used to eat a lot of cheese but oddly I don't miss it or crave it at all.

The next thing I'm going to cut out is pork, and specifically cheap pork products, again because I think it's a simple thing to remove entirely from my diet and it doesn't really bring me any nutrition benefits.

I have been called a hypocrite for still eating meat but I am a firm believer in Everyone doing a small bit rather than a small few doing 100%. In searching for dairy free options I have ended up eating more vegan and vegetarian foods anyway so I see that as a positive step also.

There's no law that says you have to buy replacement products. I only buy them if I particularly fancy a yoghurt or a homemade latte, which is about once every six months.

You could also consider goat or sheep milk products - look into the welfare of them first, though - you might find (as long as you stay clear of vegan 'poor ickle baby lambs' type sites) that the different conditions they have to be provided with are acceptable to you. Or you might not. But you'll have thought about it.

If you don't want to eat dairy by all means don't but there are a few things to consider in all of this.

Yes most dairy calves are removed at or soon after birth. This is not only so that more milk can be collected from the cow. Colostrum isn't sold so has no value so fir the first few days after calving the milk isn't sold anyway.

For the calves heath the colostrum will be collected and measured. If it's not good enough quality colostrun from another cow will be used that is of good enough quality. Also there are diseases that can be spread through colostrum (some farms will pasturise colostrum to reduce this risk). Calves are born with no immune system so the antibodies from the colostrum is the only immunity they get and they can only absorb this for 24hrs max. Farmers do this to ensure that the calves stay healthly.

Yes they will call for a short time but calves (in the UK) must be housed with other calves so they don't get left alone.

The other point someone raised about calves being fed milk relacer is true. This is again for the health of the calf. There are diseases that will spread through milk thats unpasturised so this is done to reduce that and increase the health of the calf. Why else would a farmer take a product he has free (milk) and feed something that costs him to buy (replacement powder). Some farms have pasturisers and will feed pasturised milk to reduce this but they are expensive and time consuming.

Some male calves are shot but not as many as you think. Sexed semen is used to decrease the need for this (no one likes doing it). Also some milk buyers are refusing to collect milk from farms that do it so there is more pressure to look at alternatives (eg arla).

The milking process is done with the cow in mind. There is a lot of work with milking parlours to ensure that the vaccum in the pump isn't too high so it's not uncomfortable and the clusters fall of automatically when the milk flow starts to decrease to avoid over-milking cows, because it's uncomfortable for them.

For someone who said beef and lamb is grass fed - so is most of the dairy!

The dairy industry has its flaws don't get me wrong but there are reasons behind things. Please feel free to research this including looking up the red tractor standards to see what dairy farms have to adhere too.

Also there are more places offering milk direct from farm from vending machines. Low food miles, in glass bottles. These farmers will happily talk you through their process.

Good work OP! Giving up milk was my first step too. Trying to transition to totally plant based now after spending a weekend with a vegan couple who make it look so easy. Day 8 🤪

I use Innocent coconut milk for overnight oats. Don’t do tea or coffee and just use water in hot chocolate. I love cheese and ice cream but don’t often have them at home (because of how much I love them!) I don’t buy yogurt either as I’m not a big fan. I eat a lot of meat though!

www.the-calf-at-foot-dairy.co.uk

@Fantasisa you mentioned back at the start of your post about worrying about the minefield that is choosing ethical foods full stop.

I don't know about deforestation but I know that if you're in the UK oat milk has a lesser impact on the environment than other non-dairy milks.

The BBC published this helpful guide earlier in the year: Climate Change: Which Vegan Milk is Best?. I know you're not vegan (me neither!) but have a read and play around with the interactive tools and see if it helps

I love all the information that's popping up on here about ethical milk farms though! That's so refreshing to see!

I believe milking goats are housed indoors permanently so swapping to goat milk is no kinder than cow milk. Probably baby goats are also taken away from their mothers at birth.

I thought about stopping milk for reasons OP gave. I'm too lazy & selfish to stop all milk products, but I think it would be good.

Eating flesh doesn't bother me at all.