Milk Does a Body Good?  (Pt 2) 

Is milk to be shunned like Cheetos, bacon, root beer floats and your aunt's fruitcake?  Is it only for baby cows and a carrier for pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and bacteria?  Is it the reason young girls are starting their periods at age 9?  Does approximately 65 percent of the human population have difficulty digesting milk?  Is Coke really coming with out with a milk "product"?  Answers:  Definitely not, not always, it's up for debate and yes and yes.

Last week  we pondered why we drink milk  But, I'm going to make the case for milk.  I drink milk.  I had 2 servings today, both in a homemade chai latte, perfect for the rainy and gray day.  

Milk is yummy.  It's rich, creamy and satisfying (yes, do drink whole milk).  It a carrier for blueberries and bananas in a smoothie.  It's in almost all the best desserts from pot de creme to your comforting chocolate pudding.  Milk is everywhere, even at 7-11 and the Shell gas station store.  It's a great source of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fat and almost a meal in itself.  Milk meets two needs--it's calorie dense and hydrating.  If you're hungry and need a boost, it sure beats the sugary soft drinks, non-fat sodas, flavored (overpriced) waters, and caffeine drinks like RedBull and the like.   

Add some chocolate and you're got the new post-workout energy drink.  Chocolate milk has been in the spotlight for athletes with the Washington Post referring to it as he "Beverage of Champions" after the Sochi winter games.  Drinking this childhood favorite immediately after a strenuous workout is one of the best ways to recover quickly-better than sugary sports drinks like Gatorade. According to Nutrition Action, "the milk's naturally occurring sugar (lactose) is half glucose, its protein speeds up glycogen synthesis in the body, and its electrolytes (like potassium and, to a lesser extent, sodium) help you rehydrate".

Here's another reason I drink milk.  I follow the Ayurveda health model and they l-o-v-e milk.  It's believed that milk has "special and unique"  nutrition that cannot be derived from any other type of food.  It's said that when when digested properly, it nourishes all the tissues, promotes balanced emotions, and helps to balance all the doshas, bringing strength, strong immunity, happiness and contentment (according to Ayurveda) .  Yep, it's considered a pretty important food to regularly include in one's diet, especially if you're a vegetarian.  

Ayurveda is specific about the milk.  There's no opening the fridge, grabbing the milk and chugging.  No, no.  No cold milk.  It should be brought to a slow boil for 5-10 minutes allowing it to be easier for human consumption and lighter to digest.  To reduce any mucous or heaviness, it's suggested that you add a pinch of ground tumeric or black pepper a cinnamon stick or a bit of ginger.  

Did I mention that milk is satisfying?  It makes your lattes foamy and floats your Rice Krispies.  It's the starter for all of yogurts and kefirs and oh-so irrestistible delicious Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam cheese.  If you do choose to drink milk buy it from the best, highest quality source you can.  Drink it in moderation and enjoy it like fine cabernet.  

Next week:  Alternative "milks".  There are more than just soy and almond.

If your Food can go bad, it's good for you.  If it can't go bad, it's bad for you.  Originally pinned by  Michael Leaming, Ed.D. onto Fitness, Nutrition & Wellness