Milk Myths-Please Read

First time mothers depend on the advice they get from their pediatricians about how to nourish their child. Too often this advice turns out to be harmful.

Many of my articles as well as my counseling sessions include my firm recommendation not to take any advice from anyone at face value. We have every right to question anything that we are putting in our bodies or the bodies of our family. Television advertising does not have to be accountable unless some watchdog group brings it to our attention. Too often nutrition labeling is misleading.

There is enough research attesting that breast milk is the very best formula a mother can provide to her child. The problem begins after weaning from the breast.

Do you know anyone who has a child that is not receptive to solid food? Any children with anemia? I see many in my practice. The recommendation for children from the American Heart Association states 2 cups of milk from ages 1 through 8years old and 3 cups of milk through ages 9-18. Filling up on fluids often change the appetite of young children, therefore not eating solid foods. In addition, the often recommended cow’s milk will not provide iron and vitamin B12.

I urge everyone on their next visit to the supermarket to start really examining nutrition labels. Specifically I am going to focus on milk.

Let’s compare: Organic Valley 2% milk Whole Foods 365 Organic Light Soymilk

Serving size 1 cup 8oz 1 cup 8oz

Calories 130 70

Total Fat 5gm 1.5gm

Saturated Fat 3gm 0gm

Trans Fat 0gm 0gm

Cholesterol 20mg 0mg

Sodium 120mg 90mg

Potassium 360mg 300mg

Total Carbohydrate 12gm 9gm

Dietary fiber 0gm 2gm

Sugars 11gm 6gm

Protein 8gm 6gm

Vitamin A 10% 10%

Vitamin C 0% 0%

Calcium 30% 30%

Iron 0% 6%

Vitamin D 25% 30%

Riboflavin —— 30%

Vitamin B12 ——— 50%

In addition to the above I hope you are reading all the articles about the hormones that are being injected into cows so that they produce more milk. These hormones are being associated with early development of our children.

Soymilk might not be the answer for everyone but there are also several other options. Goat milk, coconut milk, and almond milk.

The above brand of Soymilk is made from soybeans organically grown in the USA and never genetically modified.

I hope you will be open minded and do your own research by examining nutrition labels and looking at ingredients. As one mother said to me “I am responsible for everything I put into my child”.