Is dairy good for you?

When my kids were small and we still consumed a lot of dairy, they would have thick green or yellow mucous throughout fall and winter.  It didn't seem that anything would help.  We tried a lot of things.  Some things helped short term, but they still had the mucous, even when we had holistically cleared all other symptoms of being ill.  This really puzzled me.  Then, we eliminated dairy from our home because one child tested positive for dairy allergy.  Dairy became something that was only consumed now and then on pizza(although half of us prefered it without cheese), but otherwise, it was absent from our diet.  When fall came, there was no thick mucous.  There was very little mucous in any of my children, even when they got sick.  But they didn't get sick as much, and when they did, they got better much quicker.  The only thing we changed was the dairy!  As we have continued with little to no dairy, this has held true.  This is something to think about if your child has long-term thick mucous.

After extensive research, I found that dairy is well known for causing mucous. It also creates acidity in the body, which is a good environment for unfavorable microbes.  While many believe it is a good source of calcium (and it does contain calcium), that calcium is used by the body right away to counteract some of the acidity caused by the animal protein in the dairy product.  So, there is no calcium benefit from consuming dairy.  The countries with the highest dairy consumption also have the highest incidence of osteoporosis.  It was mind-blowing for me when I learned that because we all learn that dairy is a good source of calcium in school! That is just not the case. 

Does that mean 100% elimination is necessary? That's up to you. But I highly recommend at least reducing consumption.  When we eliminated it, we found all sorts of benefits - including better digestion.  Will I eat it sometimes?  Yes, but rarely, and now it makes me feel bad when I eat it. I was so addicted (yes, it is as addictive as drugs) before that I craved it all the time.  But I was also plagued with chronic digestive issues that I had no idea were connected. This may be TMI, but those issues included cramping, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.  I no longer have those issues, unless I consume dairy.  Do you have digestive issues?  Have you ever thought that it could be dairy?  I didn't until after it was gone.  If you are curious or want to see major changes in your health, I highly recommend trying a no-dairy diet for 3 months.  You may be pleasantly surprised at the results!

Not sure where to get your calcium? (Let me be clear - you weren't ever getting it from dairy, anyway.)

1. Leafy Greens: Kale, collard greens, mustard greens, and turnip greens.

2. Broccoli and Bok Choy: Both are rich in bioavailable calcium.

3. Seaweed: Especially wakame and kelp.

4. Almonds: A handful provides a good calcium boost.

5. Chia Seeds: High in calcium, and easy to add to smoothies or yogurt. (See below for recipe)

6. Sesame Seeds (Tahini): A rich, natural source of calcium.

7. Figs: Dried figs are another calcium-dense snack.

8. White Beans: Cannellini beans and other white bean

🎃 Pumpkin Spice Bliss: A Nourishing Recipe

Here’s a quick and delicious Pumpkin Spice Smoothie recipe:

- 1 cup almond milk

- ½ cup canned pumpkin

- 1 banana

- 1 tsp pumpkin spice

- 1 tbsp chia seeds

- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup

Blend and enjoy a nutritious, fall-flavored treat packed with fiber and vitamins to fuel your busy days!