Summary: Think of your dairy intake as an accessory, not as a foundation food.Dairy has gotten a bit of a bad rap over the last few years, with issues ranging from lactose intolerance to the inauthentic way dairy can be processed. According to Registered Dietitian and frequent guest of Naturally Savvy, Ashley Koff, "If you're going to dairy, dairy right." Koff says the two keys to eating dairy are to eat less of it and eat dairy of better quality. Think as an accessory, not as a foundation food. Contrary to popular believe, there are no nutrients in dairy that you can't get from other foods. So, if you think you need to drink glass upon glass of milk each day to get your calcium or vitamin D, you're heading down the wrong path. Studies have shown the superior benefits of organic dairy in terms of nutritional value. For example, the fats in organic dairy have a better fat profile, containing more essential fatty acids. The mineral profile is also better, with higher amounts of certain nutrients. All of that goes out the door if your dairy is highly processed or non-organic. Aside from the value of organic, grass-fed dairy is also beneficial. Grass in nature has a lot of "good bugs," which just adds to the quality of dairy products. And, cultured products are a great option for getting both probiotics and essential nutrients. Koff says that the proteins in cow's milk are very different today than decades ago (similar to the way the gluten in wheat has morphed over the years), so you may want to look at other dairy sources, such as goats, sheep, and even bison. Listen in as Koff breaks down the benefits or organic dairy, as well as why it's important to really pay attention to the dairy you're eating.
