Dairy products have long been a cornerstone of diets worldwide, valued for their calcium content and contribution to bone health. Yet, the landscape of dairy consumption and its implications for health have sparked considerable debate and intrigue.
As dietitians, we understand the importance of unraveling the complexities surrounding dairy. In this blog, we delve into some common myths about dairy.
If your goal is to lose weight, then have no fear! Consuming 3-4 serves each day can actually help you to achieve your goals.
Researchers investigated individuals following a diet that included 3-4 serves of dairy vs individuals eating no dairy at all. The individuals consuming dairy lost more weight, fat and centimetres off their stomachs compared with those who weren’t eating dairy! Why? The exact reason is still being worked out by researchers, however, it is believed that dairy foods contain unique proteins that help maintain muscle mass whilst keeping our metabolisms firing.
A diagnosis of lactose intolerance doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up dairy foods. In fact, many dairy foods are naturally low in lactose. Cheeses (mostly hard cheeses) such as cheddar, parmesan and Swiss cheese contain hardly any lactose. As for yoghurt, luckily the healthy bacteria present in most yoghurts help to digest the lactose and therefore this food is often tolerated by individuals with lactose intolerance.
It might not come as a surprise but when it comes to important nutrients like calcium, we always recommend FOOD FIRST before supplements. Yes, milk will provide you with a good calcium hit but if you’re trading in milk for a calcium supplement you are also going to miss out on the other nutrients milk has to offer (potassium, magnesium, protein, vitamin A, zinc…the list goes on!)
If you are intolerant to dairy and have been advised to exclude it from your diet we recommend seeking the advice of an Accredited Practicing Dietitian to ensure you are meeting your recommended calcium requirements. Contact us here.
