Part of a healthy diet - Milk... ??? Please help?

Question

I'm a vegetarian. Recently, I've cut out dairy from my diet too.

To me, it's great because it means I'm no longer snacking on all my favourite fatty foods; like cheeses and chocolate. I'm eating much healthier than I did before; more vegetables, fruit, seeds and nuts. So, I'll finally start losing weight. :P

But, my family keep saying cutting out milk is not healthy and that I'll end up with oestoporosis, the brittle bone condition, when I get old.

Could this really happen? Is there a chance of this happening? What could I do to prevent it if this is the case?

I just posted this question on the 'diet and fitness' section a few days ago. Everyone said pretty much the same thing 'DRINK MILK'. However, I don't want to start drinking milk again. As I think cows are treated like machines. Just used for milk, for human benefit... when naturally their milk is meant for their calf.

So, I wanted to see what the vegans ( vegetarians and anyone else concerned) had to say. :)

Answer 1

The myth that osteoporosis is caused by calcium deficiency was created to sell dairy products and calcium supplements. There's no truth to it. American women are among the biggest consumers of calcium in the world, and they still have one of the highest levels of osteoporosis in the world. And eating even more dairy products and calcium supplements is not going to change that fact.

Dairy products are a health hazard. They contain no fiber or complex carbohydrates and are laden with saturated fat and cholesterol. They are contaminated with cow's blood and pus and are frequently contaminated with pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics. Dairy products are linked to allergies, constipation, obesity, heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.

The late Dr. Benjamin Spock, America's leading authority on child care, spoke out against feeding cow's milk to children, saying it can cause anemia, allergies, and insulin-dependent diabetes and in the long term, will set kids up for obesity and heart disease, America's number one cause of death.

And dairy products may actually cause osteoporosis, not prevent it, since their high-protein content leaches calcium from the body. Population studies, backed up by a groundbreaking Harvard study of more than 75,000 nurses, suggest that drinking milk can actually cause osteoporosis.

Also consuming dairy products supports the veal and beef industry.  Cows are impregnated annually to keep the milk flowing.  The male calves are used for veal and the female calves are used to replace the older cows who are then sent to slaughter.  You already knew that though.

So tell your family that you have done your research.  Ask them if they have done theirs.

Answer 2

is there any way you'd eat/drink alternatives as if you were lactose-intolerant?

the only information i could find was from a site helping those who are lactose-intolerant so maybe you could look at a few of them as if you were one?

here's how to get calcium and vitamin D, i deleted the meat/cheese products in advance:

Calcium-rich foods: Another option

Calcium-fortified foods are a good alternative. Many juices are now calcium-fortified, as are breakfast cereals and bars. Other food sources of calcium include baked beans, almonds, and dark green vegetables like broccoli. And be sure to avoid excessive consumption of caffeine and soda, and diets that are extremely high in fiber, which can decrease calcium absorption.

Don’t forget vitamin D

Though most people link calcium to strong bones, vitamin D sometimes gets overlooked—and it shouldn’t. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium better, and a deficiency causes disease of the bones and fractures.

To maintain strong bones and get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet, stay active with weight-bearing exercise and get 15 minutes of sunlight several times a week.

Hope this helps, sorry if it doesn't im no vegan! not even a vegetarian!

Answer 3

You can get calcium from soya milk and other leafy green vegetables. Dairy products are not the only sourse of calcium. So no you will definately not get osteoporosis if you replace dairy with other calcium rich foods.

Answer 4

Actually, where osteoporosis is concerned, the opposite is true about milk. Studies have shown that the Western diet (which is based heavily on milk consumption) showed the most instances of osteoporosis. This is because milk contains enzymes that are difficult for our bodies to break down. In order to assist, our BONES start giving away the calcium they have stored in order to help digest the milk. Milk actually leches away valuable minerals from our bones that's how osteoporosis is possible.

Calcium can be found in many sources that are not related to animals or their by products.

If you don't want to drink it again, don't. You'll be just fine!

Answer 5

Substitute soy milk and soy products...and buy the vitamin fortified with calcium juices, etc...AND eat greens (spinach, kale, turnip, collard, etc.) lots of calcium in those...also broccoli is good for you...and eat lentils...

Answer 6

You can get all the calcium that you need out of fresh veggies, nuts and soy products.  Try eating Kale, which is super rich in calcium, raw nuts, rice milk, soy milk, tofu, tempeh, oranges, apples, quinoa, beans, etc.  So, if you eat a proper vegan diet that is wide in variety you don't need milk!

Answer 7

drink soya milk it will replace the calcium you would othewise get from cow's milk

Answer 8

Soy milk usually has just as much calcium as regular milk. Orange juice (perhaps the fortified one, but could be the regular because they add calcium) also has at least the same amount of calcium as milk.Take a multivitamin or calcium supplement.

Answer 9

I drink soy milk..which has calcium..which helps prevent osteoporosis..

It doesn't taste that great, but I use it with granola..

It has a lot of the same vitamins as regular milk..

Even if you drank a gallon of whole milk a day, it is still possible to get osteoporosis..

Answer 10

Calcium is a mineral that is needed for strong bones.

Vegans get calcium from fortified dairy free milks, such as soy milk, green leafy vegetables such as kale, and nuts, especially almonds.

Cow's milk is not needed for good health, but make sure you get a reliable source of calcium each day. A balanced vegan diet will ensure you get plenty of calcium.

I buy Alpro Soya milk- it has nearly a half of my calcium recommended daily allowance in one glass.

Answer 11

Soya milk has more calcium than cows milk,n vegans and vegetarians 10 times less likely to get osteparosis/heart disease/hypertension/cancer/stroke.and the protein in cows milk is designed for calfs and contains 2 much fat for humans,soya milk also is fulla vitamins and minerals,try so good or alpro soya.tell your parents to look at health studies relating to meat eaters and vegetarians or vegans.

Answer 12

You don't need cows milk, but you do need Calcium for bone-health and a lot of other health reasons. Sources of Calcium include Dark green leafy veggies, tahini, almonds and soy milk.