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I ask that in the nicest possible way, really. =)

In this post, I continue to offer you my take on the recent “official” USDA dietary guidelines, released as a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Simla's Take #2

USDA Dietary Guidelines say:
Switch to fat free or low fat (1%) milk.

Simla Says:
The USDA is not only recommending fat-free or low-fat milk, which is a no-no in my book, but they assume that everyone should be having milk in the first place.

However, the truth is that milk and dairy products can be harming versus helping you.

Firstly, no adult needs to have milk, period. You are not a baby cow. Which means that you do not need cow's milk. Or a sheep's. Or a goat's.

[There's also the question of whether human infants should be having cow's milk, but that's an entirely different post.]

The USDA has a strong bias to promote dairy, in order to support the dairy industry (remember, it's the Department of Agriculture), but research now shows that over-consumption of milk can hinder - not help - bone health. Westernized countries tend to consume the most milk and also have the highest levels of osteoporosis, by the way. We are also the only species on the planet to drink another species’ milk and to continue to drink it into adulthood.

Secondly, not everyone should be having milk or dairy products.

The question you must answer for yourself is: "Is dairy right for me?"

Many people are intolerant of lactose (a sugar), casein or whey (the two main proteins) found in dairy products. A lot of people think they are lactose intolerant when in fact they may be reacting to casein or whey instead.

Reactions to proteins can show up as allergic responses or a systemic intolerance which produces symptoms you may not normally link back to dairy, such as ear infections, digestive issues, diarrhea/constipation, upper respiratory infections, or even asthma. Dairy can also contribute to silent inflammation and stubborn weight gain. Basically, dairy may be the underlying cause of many of your vague or life-disrupting symptoms without you even realizing it. Is this you?

With my clients, I often find that giving up dairy (if necessary) is often just as hard as giving up refined sugar or caffeine, if not harder, if they try it on their own. I used to be addicted to cheese - a day without cheese was not a complete day for me. It took a couple of weeks, but soon I was able to look the other way without much heartache.

Why is this the case? Well, dairy is an addictive food. It has chemical properties which release pleasure triggers in the brain not unlike some mood-altering drugs. These chemicals are akin to opioids, the active compounds found in opium and morphine. Which is a tribute to nature's brilliance, actually:  nature designed milk to be sweet and contain happy-making chemicals in order to entice newborns to drink it and flourish. So it's not your fault if you think "Oh man, there's no way I could give up dairy!" It's easier than you think, really, if you take a specific set of steps to get there.

Today, I don't miss it at all and, as an unexpected bonus from having given up most dairy, I have completely resolved my formerly severe asthma, sinusitis, and chronic bronchitis issues. Plus I now have a whole pantry full of alternative options that give me an even bigger range to choose from when looking for that creamy, nutritious, non-moo yumminess. My clients often boast similar results.

First, you need to determine whether dairy does you good. The three ways to find out are to:

(1) Get tested for lactose intolerance.

(2) Get tested for food allergies, including the different dairy proteins and separately for cow, sheep, and goat dairy.

(2) Undertake an elimination/challenge diet to determine any previously unrecognized reactions you may be having to dairy that are NOT going to show up on any allergy tests. Allergies are different from systemic reactions, often called intolerances. Thus, intolerances will not show up on allergy tests.

Note: Elimination/challenge diets can be frustrating, unpleasant, and downright miserable to do on your own and you will likely ditch the whole thing before you find out anything about your food intolerances!

What's a Savorette to do instead? Try The Delicious Cleanse & Challenge, which I'll be releasing soon in an easy-to-follow DIY format that takes you through the entire 28-day process in a pleasurable way. I designed it specifically to keep you eating delicious, nutritious, easy-to make recipes the whole time, along with step-by-step instructions, weekly menus, all the recipes you'll need, done-for-you shopping lists, and a proven food reintroduction protocol - the same one I use with my private clients. You also get bonus support around how to eat on the road / eat out, and how to eat more mindfully in general so that you, too, can become a more intuitive eater. Some added benefits that my clients experience are:

* weight loss, especially of stubborn weight around the middle
* the seemingly magical lifting of brain fog!
* brand new energy that seems to spring eternal
* better mood and focus
* a refreshed sense of renewal
* readiness to conquer the world =)

Sign up here to receive notice when I release the program at a special VIP Early Bird rate.

If you keep dairy in your diet, prioritize fermented dairy products like yogurt or kefir, which aid in metabolism, gut and immune health, and nutrient absorption. And also stick to full fat, non-homogenized products that aid with hormone and adrenal health, keep you fuller for longer, and also aid in proper digestion and nutrient absorbtion.

Moo?

I mean, ok?