Debunking Milk Myths

Options in the dairy case have expanded tremendously in the past decade, and with so many choices, it’s no wonder Americans are overwhelmed and confused. Everyone from your hairdresser to online health gurus has something to say about the foods you eat – and with that comes many myths. To help you make the best decisions, let’s tackle a few of the most common myths about milk and dairy foods. 

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is one of the leading reasons people cut dairy from their diets. However, you can still enjoy dairy foods with these strategies:

• Try lactose-free milk or ice cream. 

• Enjoy yogurt. The live, active cultures help to break down the lactose. 

• Choose natural cheeses, like cheddar or Swiss, which have little to no lactose. 

• Incorporate milk into meals. Whether as a drink or an ingredient, milk with food will help slow digestion and give your body more time to digest the lactose. 

See more: Seasonal Ingredient Swaps

Plant-Based Beverages

Consumers are choosing plant-based beverages over real cow’s milk due to the perception that plant-based beverages are healthier. The reality is that there is no alternative to real cow’s milk when it comes to nutrition. Plant-based beverages do not provide the amount of protein or package of essential nutrients – calcium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins A, D, and B12, riboflavin, and niacin – found in cow’s milk. One 8-ounce glass of almond beverage only provides 1 gram of protein, compared to 8 grams of high-quality protein per 8-ounce serving of real dairy milk.

Flavored Milk

While nutrition experts recommend limiting added sugar in the diet, it’s important to look at the full nutrient package when selecting a food or beverage. Research shows that flavored milk, which provides the same nutrients as white milk, contributes just 3% of added sugars to children’s diets versus sodas and fruit drinks, which account for close to half of added sugars and deliver far less, if any, nutritional value. Research also indicates that children who drink flavored milk meet more of their nutrient needs, do not weigh more, and do not consume more added sugar, fat, or calories than non-milk drinkers. 

Antibiotics

When cows become ill, farmers and veterinarians may need to treat them with antibiotics, just as people sometimes need medication when they are sick. When this happens, the cow is removed from the herd and treated, and the milk that is produced during this time is discarded. The cow is not placed back into the herd until all antibiotics have cleared its body.

All milk is strictly tested for antibiotics on the farm and at the processing plant. Any milk that tests positive cannot be sold to the public. The farmer is responsible for any milk that tests positive and is required to pay for the full truckload.

Organic Vs. Conventional

There is no scientific evidence concluding that organic dairy products are safer or healthier than conventional dairy products. Strict government standards ensure that both conventional and organic milk are wholesome, safe and nutritious. Both products contain the same combination of nutrients that makes dairy an important part of a healthy diet, including calcium, vitamin D and potassium. 

Don’t let myths cause you to miss out on milk’s true nutrient package. For more information, recipes and more, visit TheDairyAlliance.com. 

See more: How Mississippi Farmers Care for Cattle