Raw Food: Why you should not drink cow

milk?while the child is an infant.  This affects the
Many people are firm believers that cow’sdigestive system along with skin and airways. 
milk is the “perfect food” and you will neverMilk allergies can be life threatening to infants if
be able to change their minds. But parents neednot recognized and something done about it. 
to educate themselves about milk allergies andInfants who develop milk allergies are usually put
lactose intolerances with their children in mind toon soy milk by the family doctor.
be forewarned. One main reason whyLactose intolerance shows up a couple of years
cow’s milk isn’t that great for youlater and is caused by the body not being able to
is that it was made for cows, not humans. break down the milk sugar lactose.  This affects
Secondly, if you are not consuming magnesiumthe digestion only, and causes symptoms such as
along with cow milk, you are not benefiting frombloating, gas and loose bowels. This occurs only
the calcium.  Thirdly, if you consume somethingafter drinking milk or eating dairy products.  This
with iron in it, your body also cannot uptakeis not a serious intolerance and many people can
calcium at all.  So, red meat and a glass of milk,still drink milk or dairy products in small amounts
is not a great idea. Many people are firm believersand not really feel any symptoms.
that cow’s milk is the “perfect food”If a child or adult is found to be milk-allergic, it is
and you will never be able to change their minds.best to know that not all “milk-free” labels
But parents need to educate themselves aboutare misleading, and they still can have milk protein
milk allergies and lactose intolerances with theirin it.  Some of the soy cheeses that are labeled
children in mind to be forewarned. One mainas milk free can still have some milk in it, so read
reason why cow’s milk isn’t thatthe labels very carefully.
great for you is that it was made for cows, notMany nondairy foods can be substituted for milk
humans.  Secondly, if you are not consumingor milk products. Be aware, however, that just
magnesium along with cow milk, you are notbecause a food is labeled "nondairy," it does not
benefiting from the calcium.  Thirdly, if younecessarily mean that it is milk free. Even a
consume something with iron in it, your body also"milk-free" label can be misleading. For example,
cannot uptake calcium at all.  So, red meat and asome soy cheeses claim to be milk free but may
glass of milk, is not a great idea.still contain milk protein. That's why it's always
The reaction of the immune system to milkimportant to read all food labels when you have a
proteins and milk products is a milk allergy. milk-allergic child.
These are signs and symptoms that will appear