We are all very big milk drinkers in our house (4 – 5 gallons a week)…and to be honest I don’t think we could live without it! The good news is after switching to a more optimal milk source and type of milk we certainly do not have to give it up. I used to buy the standard store-brand skim (for the adults) and 2% (for the kids) from our local supermarket. I even switched to the organic variety earlier this year. Organic is certainly better than conventional, but I felt there were still some additional factors that continued to be overlooked.
My biggest concern about the milk we were drinking was if it came from cows that were being fed grass. I did a post awhile back entitled “You are what you eat eats too,” and this couldn’t be more true when it comes to milk. Cows are actually designed by evolution to eat grass, and a large majority of factory-farmed cows are instead taught to survive on corn (a super cheap grain). In some instances the corn makes the animals sick, which is part of the reason why they have to be administered so many antibiotics.
Now if you are buying organic milk you obviously know that the cows have not been given any antibiotics, but being organic doesn’t necessarily mean they have been fed grass (or anything green for that matter). For all I know they’ve just been fed organic corn. But, the point is that I really didn’t know what the cows were eating when I would pick up a jug from the supermarket. Even as I proofread this article now I have to admit it sounds a little over the top to care so much about what the cows eat before I would even drink their milk, but it really is important. The health of the cow greatly affects the health of their milk (as well as their meat products), and I am obviously on a mission to provide the absolute best for my family.
So going back to a time when I didn’t know where our milk came from brings me to why I stopped buying our milk from the grocery store all together. I recently switched to a delivery service (http://www.lakeviewfarmshomedelivery.com/) that provides milk from cows that are located not too far away in South Carolina. Not only can I call and ask them questions anytime (and you know I do!), but I could even go visit the farm myself if I thought it was necessary to do so. There is certainly a slight up-charge compared to a half-gallon of organic milk from the supermarket ($3.84 vs. $3.49), but they say their milk is two days from the cow. And it tastes so fresh I absolutely believe it. I think my children even noticed the difference because once we switched to the new milk I was having trouble keeping up with their consumption…it was like a broken record around here “more milk please!”
One other thing I learned more recently is that skim milk may not be the best choice for my husband and me (our girls drink 2%). This came as quite a shock, because I drink a lot of milk myself and have chosen skim for as long as I can remember. According to our milk delivery service, skim milk is everything leftover after the cream has been removed in a separator. And apparently the cream is what contains enzymes and fat-soluble vitamins. So just like the process that white flour goes through (since removing the bran and germ also removes all the good stuff from the flour) the milk is fortified with vitamins in an attempt to add back what has been lost. So once again I think the better choice is to just consume the good stuff the way nature has provided it to us and not opt for something that just emulates the good stuff.
We are joining our daughters and have switched to 2% in order to give us a good balance between the healthy cream and fat consumption. Michael Pollan even goes as far to say
To make dairy products low fat, it’s not enough to remove the fat. You then have to go to great lengths to preserve the body or creamy texture by working in all kinds of food additives. In the case of low-fat or skim milk, that usually means adding powdered milk. But powdered milk contains oxidized cholesterol, which scientists believe is much worse for your arteries than ordinary cholesterol, so food makers sometimes compensate by adding antioxidants, further complicating what had been a simple one-ingredient whole food.
This once again reminds me how happy I am to be buying our milk from a reliable and knowledgeable source, which allows me to continue our theme here of knowing exactly where our food comes from!
I’m a little late to this conversation. I know the “instant” powdered milk is bad for you. What about the organic powdered milk? It’s not instant and takes a bit of work to mix. I thought that was healthier as it’s processed in a better way.
Lisa, I’m hoping you can help me figure out my milk dilemma! We buy Organic Valley brand from Harris Teeter (which rated very well on an organic website I found). But I’d prefer something local. Do you still use Lakeview Farms? Your FAQ says you buy whole, non-homogeneized.
Hi there! Lakeview Farms switched to a milk from Virginia called Homestead Creamery, which is also sold at Earth Fare (for a little cheaper) so that’s what we buy. We get the whole non-homogenized version with a gold top. It’s pasteurized at a little lower temp than the big brand organic milks (which apparently retains more nutrients). From what I can find it’s the least processed milk available in N.C. since raw milk isn’t legal here. I hope that helps!
This is a good basic post on milk. If you want more information on where to get minimally processed milk in your area, visit http://www.cheesemaking.com (I am a stay-at-home mom, not endorsed by anyone). I found a wonderful local dairy and buy their milk from one of our local grocers who carries it.
Wondering if the milk you drink is raw milk? Or if you have any thoughts on it. I have a farm close by that offers it, as well as grass fed beef.
I actually just shared an article about this on facebook today…raw milk is actually illegal here in N.C. so it’s not a choice for us.
So is organic 2% milk ok to drink and what about organic 2% yogurt? Or do you only eat whole milk yogurt?
We do all whole milk products now (milk, yogurt, cheese, sour cream, etc.) …this was an older post. Check out my FAQ page b/c it has a brief update on milk: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/frequently-asked-questions/
Also I forgot about 2% organic cheeses, I guess I’m just not sure what are healthier?
Um, just finding this blog…Is Lakeview Farms only in NC? I’m having trouble finding such a thing in my area…
Yes, but we now buy Homestead Creamery brand milk from Earth Fare, which I think is sold in surrounding states.
[...] products like milk, unsweetened yogurt, eggs, and [...]
I absolutely love your blog and all of the resources you provide! My husband and I and our two daughters (2.5 years and 1 year) made the switch to whole-foods eating in January of this year.
I’m constantly researching to make sure we’re making the best decisions for our health, and I keep coming across articles like this one (http://www.drheise.com/milkchildren.htm) and this one (http://www.care2.com/greenliving/harvard-declares-dairy-not-part-of-healthy-diet.html) that basically say milk was meant for baby calves, not humans, and that we should seek out calcium from beans, grains, and dark leafy greens instead.
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
We strive to eat what our ancestors have survived on for centuries, which definitely included cow’s milk (not vegan imitations of milk).
[...] products like milk, unsweetened yogurt, eggs, and [...]
Just wondering what your suggestion would be for those of us who don’t tolerate cow’s milk?
An unsweetened milk alternative like coconut or almond milk…
Our family has been drinking Homestead Creamery whole creamline for over 6 months now. However, my husband is starting to question my choice, as he is taking a nutrition course and is concerned about the fat. He suggested switching to the Homestead Creamery non-fat creamline milk. It seems like a fair suggestion, but wanted your opinion. I appreciate all the time and energy you’ve put into this website, by the way. It has been a great resource for our family.
We actually drink the whole creamline as well now (this is an older milk post)…and here’s why we avoid the low-fat and fat-free versions: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/04/15/mini-pledge-week-6-no-low-fat-lite-or-nonfat-food-products/
[...] products like milk, unsweetened yogurt, eggs, and [...]
Hello, I am wondering what your take is on dairy in general? Being that it is something that is processed and all the hype that it causes mucus and inflammation and that we are the only thing that still drinks milk after weaning as a baby. Just curious what your thoughts about this is. Trying to decide if we will take dairy out of our families diet or not.
Unless you have an allergy or intolerance to dairy (and you use organic dairy from humanely raised animals) we don’t see any reason to cut it out…our ancestors have been drinking/using it for centuries!
Can you publish a current post on milk – organic, 1% vs. 2% vs. skim vs. whole, what is raw milk, etc.?