<p>A question for nutrition experts: why is dairy a recommended food? I am tempted to replace cow’s milk with almond milk and just wondering what the nutrition consequences might be. I am already skeptical of the USDA given its recommendation of more grains than protein; just wondering if the dairy recommendation is the same sort of nonsense.</p>
<p>I always thought it was for the calcium… it’s the easiest source to get your RDA of calcium, although there are other ways to get it. Dairy is just the easiest. Dairy does provide some protein, too.</p>
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<p>Dairy is a cheap (because subsidized) source of high quality protein and also calcium. If you drink non-fat milk, it is also cholesterol free. My assumption has always been that it’s recommended because it’s cheap and supplies high quality protein. </p>
<p>Almond milk is not cheap, has to be highly processed for manufacture ([Almond</a> milk preparation process and products obtained - Berger, Jacques](<a href=“http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5656321.html]Almond”>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5656321.html)), and requires that vitamins and minerals (including calcium) be added to make it nutritionally equivalent to cow’s milk. </p>
<p>However, almond milk is also lactose-free, a vegetable product, and may have a preferable taste. </p>
<p>Why do you think more grains than protein is nonsense?</p>
<p>I only drink almond milk. 60 cal, compared to 100 in 1% dairy. Lactose and dairy free. I prefer the taste. Silk, pure almond, original.</p>
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<p>This is not exactly true. A cup of nonfat milk contains about 5 mg of cholesterol, which is about half that of reduced fat milk.</p>
<p>Dairy was originally pushed because it was one of the cheapest and most readily sources for calcium and Vit D. Milk, while it has protein, is not a significant source.</p>
<p>While it is still the cheapest it is no longer the most readily available.</p>
<p>If you are eating a well balanced diet milk is unnecessary. Orange juice contains more Vit D and calcium than milk. Calcium is added to everything. Vitamin D is added to a lot of things. </p>
<p>Remember, the USDA recommendations are baselines (minimum required diet for health). The recommendations do not take into account the person, the diet or other factors…</p>
<p>^^However, keep in mind that added calcium, whether in OJ or almond milk or whatever, is not so readily absorbed by the body as the more bioavailable calcium found in milk. You may need to consume more calcium from these sources than you would from milk.</p>
<p>In case anyone believes that drinking orange juice is somehow “healthy”:</p>
<p>Tropicana Orange Juice (12 ounces)</p>
<p>165 calories
39g carbohydrates
33g sugar</p>
<p>Coca Cola Classic (12 ounces)</p>
<p>145 calories
40g carbohydrates
40g sugar</p>
<p>The absolute first step almost anyone should make in eating “healthier” or trying to lose weight or controlling diabetes/metabolic syndrome is to stop drinking sugar – no soda, no sports drinks, no fruit juices, no flavored milk.</p>
<p>Why do people alway equate “dairy” with “milk”? Dairy means all milk products, and includes things such as yogurt, ice cream, cheese. All of these can provide a SIGNIFICANT amount of protein; e.g., the cup of yogurt that I just ate had 18 grams of protein, and only 7 g of carbs. Protein and calcium are not the only nutrients found in dairy. And what coureur said about calcium from foods vs added calcium is true.</p>
<p>Greek Yogurt.</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://legacy.lclark.edu/dept/chron/bigcheeses06.html]Cheese![/url”>http://legacy.lclark.edu/dept/chron/bigcheeses06.html]Cheese![/url</a>]
:)</p>
<p>I’ve been drinking SILK original organic soy milk for years. Prefer the taste and nutritional value. Don’t forget the dairy and meat industries are very powerful and will have you believe beef, chicken, pork and cow’s milk are necessary for a healthy diet when in fact they may actually increase your chances for osteoporosis and bone loss.</p>
<p>I’m no expert, but I understand that protein molecules contain nitrogenous waste which becomes ammonia when it breaks down in your body’s digestive process. To deal with this ammonia, the body creates urea, an acidic substance, which eats away at body tissue so the body releases calcium from your bones to buffer it. The more protein, the more urea. When there is more urea than calcium reserves, calcium looses and the bones deteriorate.</p>
<p>Osteoporosis is rare in countries where milk isn’t used and highest in dairy using countries. Pretty interesting.</p>
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<p>This is why you also should take a multivitamin. Magnesium is needed for absorption of calcium regardless of the source. A proper diet or even just a multivitamin will alleviate any absorption issues.</p>
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<p>If you have no backgound in basic biochemistry, please stop giving advice that deals with the biochemical pathways.</p>
<p>True, overloading with protein is hard on the kidneys, but not getting enough protein has horrible effects, too. It is really hard to OD on protein if one eats a balanced diet. Why eat artificially extracted and formulated protein why one can get the same nutritional value out of normal, minimally processed foods? And you are so concerned with the apparently huge profits pouring into the dairy makers’ pockets, let me tell you a little secret: there is a whole cottage industry thriving on making profits off people who think that eating naturally is bad for your health!</p>
<p>^^^ wow guess i struck a nerve. I never intended to give advice by any means. Just sharing some information I have come across over the years.</p>
<p>Thanks very much, 1down12go, for sharing that information.</p>
<p>Not all information you come across is scientifically correct. No struck nerves, in fact, I’m in a very good mood. If you do not have the credentials, please do not try to sound as if you are an expert. Urea is an acidic compound? Do you know what defines a compound as basic or acidic?</p>
<p>Please verify your information through multiple sources, preferably, Medline and online textbooks before posting.</p>
<p>Puhleeseeeeee…this is a chatroom with kids…not a peer reviewed, scientific journal.</p>
<p>No, this is not a “chatroom with kids”. This is a highly regarded Internet forum. There is a difference. Would it be acceptable to you if someone posted incorrect legal information here on CC? The same principle applies to science.</p>
<p>Osteoporosis is rare in countries where milk isn’t used and highest in dairy using countries.
As someone who has osteoporosis, despite being healthy otherwise, pre-menopausal & active, I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that the countries that subsidize the dairy industry, also do the same for growers of wheat.</p>
<p>It is my guess that undiagnosed celiac disease may be contributing to the rate of other disorders as it is my unscientific view that if your digestion is off, everything is.</p>