Milk

[Rhona]

I gave up milk years ago after being ill, and felt loads better for it. Mr R LOVES milk but after an enforced 'no milk' week, swears he won't go back to it - his energy levels have increased and he says he just feels better - he's amazed. I'm even more amazed actually - he never believed me until he tried it.

I'm not trying to persuade anyone, but for us, there's no better proof than how you feel.

This isn't about debating how long the human race has been drinking milk (not that long actually ) and how it's 'good' for us - just interested to know if anyone else has stopped drinking it, and if they've noticed a difference?

Any milky stories?

[HeyWayne]

We rarely buy milk - maybe a 2 pint bottle every couple of weeks.

[scarey55]

I can't say about milk but I do have a friend who gave up wheat flour in anything. It was a bit tricky at first but she now makes everything with non wheat flour and she swears by it. She used to have terrible headaches, bloating and many other unmentionable side effects but she doesn't have any of those symptoms any more and she has lost quite a it of weight too - result!

EDIT: Just realised this might be thread hijacking - it wasn't meant to be, sorry

[ginger ninger]

Sounds fantastic Rhona, What do you use as a substitute if anything??? I admit I love my porridge made with full milk this time of year, but If there's something else I could use that tastes as good....I'd give it a go.

[zazen999]

I had to give up milk and all associated dairy products for 10 years as I had a violent allergic reaction; and was down to a size 10 before I started eating it again - I had severe cheese withdrawals though and used to dream of pizza.

If they made a cheese substitute that tasted like it; I'd give it all up again tomorrow. Today even. It's the cheese that does it for me.

[weekendwellies]

Thats interesting Rhona.
Do you not have any dairy products? Cheese/Yogurt/Custard/Cream/Butter
We did try to do without during last lent, but it was so difficult. I didnt realise how much cheese we eat.
I also like porridge same as Ginger Ninger, made with milk. I tried it with water once and couldnt eat it, it was revolting.
Milk in coffee all the time and on cereal from time to time
I love my yogurts too, and you cant have apple pie without a dollop of cream or custard.
Soya products taste disgusting so cant substitute with that.

Where does your calcium requirements come from?

[Rhona]

Just a few calcium rich foods:-

Salmon
Tofu
Rhubarb
Sardines
Collard greens
Spinach
Turnip greens
Okra
White beans
Baked beans
Broccoli
Peas
Brussel sprouts (yuck, as if I would)
Sesame seeds
Bok choi
Almonds

I eat loads of nuts, bake them into bread etc. and we usually follow dinner with a green salad, including baby spinach leaves.

I do eat cheese - I love parmesan, buffalo mozzarella and a nice grainy cheddar. For a while I couldn't eat anything like that, but I gradually introduced things back. I make my own yoghurt, and boil the milk twice which seems to make it ok, and I avoid soft cheeses. It's taken a few years, but I've sort of worked out what I can and can't have, and in what quantities. It's all a revelation to Mr R though - he's dead pleased how he's 'discovered' how much better he feels.

Ginger, I actually don't mind porridge with water too much, and I do seem be ok with boiled milk in small quantities. I agree the soya substitutes just aren't that nice. I'm not big on substitutes to be honest - I'd rather just have something else entirely.

[northepaul]

Just out of interest, what do you have in your cuppa, if not milk?
Or it it just cows milk?

[Two_Sheds]

As said above, dairy isn't the only, nor even the best, source of calcium (and Vit D is just as important for strong bones).

Dairy can cause IBS, but I've found that UHT milk helps prevent the cramps. I just have milk in tea & coffee (3 cups a day), yogurt twice a month maybe, and cheese rarely (too fattening). I've never broken a bone (not my own anyway).

I get my calcium from legumes and leafy green veg.

While calcium and dairy can lower the risk of osteoporosis and colon cancer, high intake can increase the risk of prostate cancer and possibly ovarian cancer.

[Rhona]

Just out of interest, what do you have in your cuppa, if not milk?
Or it it just cows milk?

I have tea and coffee without - tastes MUCH better!

In all honesty, I don't miss milk one bit. I was just amazed that Mr R announced he was giving it up - he's been a two pints a day man for years. He just prefers how he feels without it.

[Nicos]

Apricots too I think Rhona???

[Llamas]

I hate milk but I'd be devastated if I had to give up cheese and cream. I'd choose them over chocolate. (Don't worry chocolate, I'll always be there for you)

[Glutton4...]

What would I have in my milky coffee? I was milk monitor at school so I could drink the extras.

I understand what you mean though, whenever I stop drinking red wine, I feel so much better - more energy and vitality, so I guess it's about the same!

I can't stand my coffee black...

[coreopsis]

No milk for me either-I don't drink coffee and my tea is with lemon and sugar.I like cheese,yoghurts and use cream sometimes.
*occasional angel's delight
I never thought that it would affect the way you feel

[HeyWayne]

One of life's great unanswered questions. Who was the dude who first thought of sucking on a cows danglies?