Why No Dairy? | Ditch Dairy Today

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So Why No Dairy?

This is one of those questions vegans get a lot. Why no Dairy? Most people believe that cow’s milk is natural and an essential part of a human diet. I have even heard it coined “nature’s perfect food”.

Unfortunately, this is far from true.

What is Dairy? | Why No Dairy?

Dairy milk is most commonly produced by female cows. Though other mammals such as goats and sheep may also be milked. They all produce milk for the same reasons humans do, to feed their young. It is breast milk. For the purposes of this post, we will be focusing on the primary source of dairy; cows.

Health reasons for No Dairy | Why No Dairy?

Humans are the only mammals that drink milk outside infancy. It is not only unnecessary but bizarre and harming our health.

Casein | Why No Dairy?

There is evidence that casein (the protein found in dairy milk) can accelerate cancer growth. The China Study explores the incidences of cancer in particular regions of China and compares them to factors such as geographical location and diet. You can pick up this book to learn more or check out Forks Over Knives, a documentary discussing health and plant-based diets.

Calcium & more | Why No Dairy?

Despite the popular narrative of calcium building strong bones, populations that consume the most dairy have the highest incidences of bone fractures. Dairy cows are not only given antibiotics regularly to combat disease and mastitis but in some countries, they are given hormones and steroids to help boost milk production. Dairy in the United States contains Bovine Somatotropin (BST) as well as naturally occurring hormones due to it being mammalian breast milk.

Casomorphins | Why No Dairy?

You might be thinking, but I love cheese! And there is a reason for that. In addition to being high in sodium and fat – cheese contains casomorphins. Casomorphins are opioids belonging to the same chemical group as morphine and opium.

This is naturally occurring (it is nature’s way of ensuring the calf returns to mom for milk) but due to the way cheese is processed the amount of casein and casomorphin it contains is particularly high. This is why you get cheese cravings and may even experience cheese withdrawals when you first cut it out.

There are so many milk alternatives (scroll to the bottom of this post for a list) and they are easily accessible, often only a couple steps away from the dairy products. All plant milk is fortified (just like cereals and the many other grain products we consume) and appropriate for all ages.

What about Soy? | Why No Dairy?

A common concern with soy is the phytoestrogens found within it. These do not interact with the body the same as mammalian estrogen does (like that naturally occurring in cows milk, remember, it is breastmilk!).
Soy has been proven to reduce cholesterol and prevent excess estrogen absorption from products like cheese, yogurt and milk.

It is particularly concerning that those with hormonal issues are regularly warded off soy but not dairy. Another concern is GMO soy, I have never picked up a soy product in-store and not seen a “non-GMO” label. Genetically modified soy is most commonly used as animal feed, including for dairy and beef cows.

My Personal Health Experience with Cutting out Dairy | Why No Dairy?

Prior to going vegan, I had several issues that I can now track back to dairy – phlegm and mucus, extreme fatigue, and more. Plus ditching calorie dense dairy helped me drop those unwanted pounds.

My daughter also was suffering from eczema, but cutting dairy out completely reversed it. She isn’t vegan, so if she eats dairy it will flare up again. It seems more often than not, cutting out dairy is a problem solver.

Ethical reasons for No Dairy | Why No Dairy?

If you’re considering skipping this part just know – if you can’t read what happens, why would you eat it?

The life of a dairy cow is miserable. A female cow will be artificially impregnated by the farmer using bull semen. To inseminate her, he will insert his entire arm into her anus and grab a hold of her cervix to manipulate it favourably for semen insertion.

Calves Lives, Mutilations & Standard Practices | Why No Dairy?

Following the pregnancy, the newborn calf will be taken away and separated from its mother within the first 24-48 hours. If it is a male, he will either be shot immediately to save money and resources, or he will be sold and tried to an outdoor hutch where he will remain before being slaughtered at 18-20 weeks old for veal.

If the calf is female, she will follow the same fate as her mother. Both mothers and calves call out to each other for hours, days and sometimes weeks after separation. Many calves die in these hutches, though the ones that get hutches are lucky. It is not uncommon to find calves surrounded by a barbed-wire fence and covered in a loosely fitted tarp, exposed to the elements.

Calves that are allowed to remain with their herd have spiked calf weaners inserted to prevent them from drinking milk from their mother. This causes distress, pain and discomfort to both.

Cows go through several mutilations for the benefit of the farmer without any pain relief. Calves have their horn buds removed to prevent horn growth; this is either done via chemical burning or hot iron.

Female calves may be born with an extra teat, the farmer will cut this off with scissors and pain relief is not used. Some farmers believe that tails should be docked for hygienic purposes and this is normally done before they are 10 days old. This is done by hot iron, crushing or by tying a band around the tail to stop blood flow until it falls off.

The Life of a Dairy Cow | Why No Dairy?

The heartbroken mother is then hooked up to an industrial vacuum breast pump where she will remain standing for hours a day. Her nipples become infected with mastitis and bleed. But don’t worry, there is an acceptable pus ratio in cow’s milk! Known as the somatic cell count.

To stop her production from slowing or stopping she will be impregnated again as soon as possible and continue to be milked while pregnant. She may get a short break from being milked before giving birth to her calf.

Some cows collapse from the stress to their minds and bodies. These are called downers. Or the ones that are simply older and no longer profitable are called “spent”. They are then sold for hamburger(even organic) and pet food.

Cows in the dairy industry die from collapse or are sent to slaughter on by age 5. Their natural life span is 20-25 years.

But do they suffer? | Why No Dairy?

Cows are sentient beings, they suffer and feel pain. They have a long-term memory and display fear while in the presence of someone who has handled them roughly before. Cows can display a wide array of emotions. They feel fear, anxiety, joy, and experience stress similarly to how humans do.

Their surroundings can contribute to this state of stress and fear, they don’t need to see it to know its happening. They can smell and hear it. Cows understand that their family and friends are being killed for food, that mothers are being separated by their children. They develop friendships and bonds with other cows. They each have their own unique personalities as humans do, some are shy or social and outgoing.

Alternatives for a Dairy Free Lifestyle | Why No Dairy?

Alternative Milk Options | Why No Dairy?

Soy
Coconut
Hemp
Oat
Almond
Rice
Cashew
Pea

Alternative Cheese Options | Why No Dairy?

Alternative Yogurt Options | Why No Dairy?

Riveria (not all is vegan)
Daiya
Silk
President’s Choice (not all is vegan)
Follow Your Heart
Chobani (not all is vegan)
So Delicious
Califia

Alternative Ice Cream Options | Why No Dairy?

Alternative Butter Options | Why No Dairy?

Climate Reasons for Ditching Dairy | Why No Dairy?

Climate Change is the warming of the earth due to human activity. With a global increase in temperatures, we can expect warming oceans, shrinking ice sheets, glacial retreat, decreased snow cover, a rise in sea levels, a decline in arctic sea ice, extreme weather events, and ocean acidification. Animal agriculture is the leading cause of climate change, above the even transportation sector.

Cowspiracy is a great documentary on this topic. The amount of grain and water used to feed our cattle could be used to end world hunger several times over. Animal agriculture uses a majority of our landmass and is the leading cause of environmental destruction. The majority of soy produced worldwide is for livestock. In addition to food, water and land use, livestock causes greenhouse gasses and poisons our waters.

Climate Action | Why No Dairy?

Awareness is increasing, the Global Climate strike took place in September 2019 and was lead by Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old activist. Greta’s 4 simple steps to combat climate change are fly less or not at all, go vegan, join an activist movement and vote.

We need more youth to stand up for the planet and say no more. But we as consumers, have an opportunity to effect change every day by choosing what we consume. Ditching dairy will have a significant impact on the environment, your health and the life of cows.

Climate Reasons for No Dairy | Ditch Dairy

The next time someone looks at you and says, so why no dairy? You’ll be able to answer them with clarity and certainty. Dairy isn’t an essential part of our diets, it’s even harmful! But not only that, it’s a cruel practice with serious environmental implications. Ditch Dairy today.

Links to Resources for More Information | Why No Dairy?

More on artificial insemination practices

Learn more on farmer’s practice of shooting calf’s after birth

Why No Dairy? | Ditch Dairy Today