Milk Is Great, for Some
By Tom Herrin
Most of us are well aware of the role milk plays in our lives, especially as young children. It is considered the most essential of all food sources at early ages. If possible, it is generally believed that the healthiest babies are those who are able to spend the first year or so drinking their mother's milk. Not only does it have some great antibodies that may be shared, but it has the right balance of essential nutrients. As children go to school, the meals they are given always have milk as a primary source of nutrition. As we grow a little older, we tend to reduce, or eliminate, the amount of milk we have in our diets. In some cases, this is bad. In others, it may be the right thing to do.
Milk Is a Great Source of Protein
We all need protein. Our bodies do not store it, so it must be constantly replaced. Cow's milk is high in protein and may be able to supply a large portion of our daily needs by drinking a few glasses. Many of us have cereal for breakfast each day, so we get good protein from that along with other useful nutrients. Many individuals who have intense workouts make sure to drink milk right after each workout in order to help to replace lost protein. This keeps the muscles working as they should.
Milk Makes Some People Sick
All of us are not made alike. Some have a lot of sensitivities to foods. One of the most common problems is lactose, or milk sugar. We hear that they may be lactose intolerant, they simply cannot take in and process lactose. In more recent times, we are finding that some do not tolerate one of the proteins found in milk. This is called the A1 protein. As a result, some producers have been able to offer milk that has only the A2 protein. This is usually clearly marked on the label.
Substitutes May Have More Calcium
Many times, when we think of a substitute for any food, we think it will taste bad. There are a few milk substitutes that taste pretty good. I drink almond milk each day to boost my levels of calcium. So far, it has worked well. It comes in a variety of flavors and can be used in much the same way as regular milk. I personally prefer the vanilla flavor.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Corpus Christi, Tex.