Dairy alternatives; looking beyond the dairy isle…
Having dairy issues can easily send you running for the calcium supplements, or worse, doing without. So how important is dairy to our health? Milk may be the first thing we remember drinking as a child, most likely with each meal. Today, the reality is that more and more people have trouble digesting dairy. In many cases it goes hand in hand with gluten intolerance, where people have an issue with both. Dairy is thought of as our main source of calcium which is critical to building healthy bones and teeth starting with childhood throughout our adult lives. But is it the best choice for everyone?
First let’s look at some of the pros and cons of dairy. It can help build strong bones and teeth while lowering risks of bone diseases like Osteoporosis as we age. However, if we take in too much high fat dairy, our risks for heart disease and some cancers may increase. It can also leave you feeling very uncomfortable if your body doesn’t tolerate dairy products. So where else can we get our calcium intake without resorting to supplements?
