With documentaries like Cow-spiracy and Forks Over Knives taking Americans by storm, many are flocking away from animal products to plant-based alternatives instead.

As adults, we’re completely in control of what we choose to put in our bodies and what industries we support with our business. Children, however, are given a carton of milk with every lunch they purchase.

The dairy industry receives billions of dollars from their sales in schools and government subsidies, so it will be extremely difficult to remove animal milk from our schools. It’s important to understand the dangers of animal products so we can petition to remove them from our children’s diets.

Early Puberty

1 in 3 girls will already enter puberty by the time they are only 8 years old. Animal milk is definitely a driving factor, since cows are pumped with growth hormones. Since we are what we eat, whatever cows are given, such as antibiotics and growth hormones, we are inadvertently given as well. Animal proteins harm our bodies because they disrupt our endocrine functions and elevate levels of IGF-1 in our bodies, which encourages early puberty.

Obesity

1 in 3 children are also obese, and the dairy served at lunchtime is partly to blame. Cow’s milk is full of saturated fats, cholesterol, and sugar. Did you know that flavored milks like chocolate and strawberry designed to appeal to children is nutritionally no better than two doughnuts? Since calories consumed in liquid forms are felt less by the stomach, kids who are drinking milk are also consuming hundreds of extra calories to feel fuller.

Cancer Risks

Animal proteins are full of harsh chemicals, carcinogens, and artery-clogging fats that put unnecessary strain on our bodies. Scientists have been warning us about dairy for decades because of its correlation with cancer. When there are excessive growth hormones in our bodies, the risk for all kinds of cancer raises significantly.

Bone Health

So what’s left for the dairy industry to cling onto? For decades, celebrities have been endorsing cow’s milk for growing strong bones. It’s simply not true. Countries where people drink the most animal milk also have the highest risks for osteoporosis and bone fractures. Dairy acidifies our blood, so our bodies leach calcium from our bones to neutralize the damage.

No Nutritional Need

Cows produce milk for their calves, so why are we drinking it at all? Calves are meant to grow 20 times larger than human infants, so the hormones inside dairy milk are catastrophic to anything other than cows. Aside from all the previous reasons listed, dairy also contains toxins and bacterial contaminations. Dairy-Farming destroys the environment and causes unimaginable pain to the animals who produce it. Since there is nothing positive to be gained from drinking animal milk, this is an industry that harms everyone involved.

What Can We Drink Instead?

You don’t have to give up the pleasure of having milk in your morning coffee or tea and your kids can still munch on their favorite cereals. Nowadays, there are numerous plant-based milks that offer real nutritional value. Milks derived from oats, soy, nuts, coconut, and rice can suit any dietary needs without sacrificing taste or texture.

Oatmilk, which is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and nut-free, is suitable for any allergies and, unlike other plant-based and animal milks, even packs a dose of 2 grams of fiber in each cup. According to Michael Greger, M.D. FACLM, less than 3% of Americans ingest the daily recommendation of fiber, so every gram counts.

Milk made from oats also contains only 2.5 grams of fat, none of which is saturated, compared to the 8 grams of fat found in whole cow’s milk. As far as protein is concerned, oat milk can stand up to cow’s milk with its 4 grams in each cup.

The great news about all plant-based milks, apart from being lower in fat and calories, is that they are also fortified with vitamins, so you don’t have to worry about vitamin D or calcium deficiencies.

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5 Reasons to Stop Giving Your Children Cow Milk