That is one of the most oft asked questions I get when people find out that I have a larger than normal family. The next most popular questions are about the amount of bread and whether we have a television. Ahem.
The actual answer to the question is that we drink none. I am allergic to milk and so when I cook I use substitutes. From when my children were young I have given them soymilk. They have come to prefer it over regular milk when they are given the choice. Soymilk is fortified with calcium, but it still amazes me the number of people who are shocked by it.
Milk has somehow become synonymous with calcium. There are many other things that are chock-full of calcium. Collards and other greens have as much or more calcium cup for cup as milk. They also have way, WAY less calories and fat than milk. Of course chocolate collard greens are not nearly as tasty as chocolate milk.
Yogurts and cheeses are also easier for most people to digest than straight milk.
Maybe people should start asking me how many packages of string cheese we go through in a week. That would surely shock and impress them.
We drink no milk at all and do not add dairy to our foods. Some of us are allergic or “dairy intolerant.” I have found that I no longer need any medications for my arthritis since stopping the dairy in my diet. It seems dairy’s growth hormones contribute to the swelling that arthritis sufferers live with daily.
Comment by Linda — July 1, 2009 @ 6:22 am
Mmmm, chocolate collard greens.
Comment by Brigitte — July 1, 2009 @ 7:51 am
Amen,Amen,Amen! My son (6) has just outgrown a severe dairy allergy (YEAH!) so we have used substitutes for years in cooking as well. People constantly ask me how my son gets his calcium…they don’t know that it is in the same amounts in soy milk as well as present in many of the veggies that we eat. Now that he is able to drink cows milk, he won’t. When we gave him his first sip of organic chocolate milk, he spit it out and said “that’s what not being allergic will get me – yuck!” However, he does enjoy cheese and yogurt now. Great post!
Comment by Christie — July 1, 2009 @ 8:22 am