Our society revolves around dairy foods such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Dairy products are used to make everything from chocolate to ice cream. However, there is a side of dairy that many people don’t consider — animal cruelty and environmental damage. The dairy industry causes much misery for animals and the environment. Thus, if you want to be kinder and greener, then perhaps avoiding milk and other dairy products is the right choice for you! Below we look at a few benefits of a dairy free diet:
1) Save Animals From Cruelty
In order for our society to function properly, an adequate supply of milk is needed by those who drink it as well as those who use it in their cooking, etc. In to meet these demands, cows are required to produce high amounts of milk, which puts a strain on their bodies. To keep producing such high levels of milk, farmers artificially inseminate cows and then take the calves away after birth; this is done to ensure that the mother’s focus remains on producing as much milk as possible. There is plenty of abuse involved in the dairy industry, which causes animals’ pain and misery just so that humans can drink milk.
2) Save the Environment
The dairy industry has a devastating impact on our environment, and this is particularly true in America. It takes about 700 gallons of water to produce just one gallon of milk, according to some scientists. The World Preservation Foundation claims that animal agriculture is responsible for 18 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions, the same amount as every car, train, ship, and aircraft on the planet combined! By going dairy free diet not only do you save animals from cruelty, but you also help fight climate change!
3) Get Enough Calcium From Other Sources
Dairy products such as cheese and yogurt are often cited for their high calcium content, which is vital for bone health and preventing osteoporosis. However, plenty of plant foods contain calcium, and they don’t come with the same health concerns that dairy products do. Spinach, for example, is a good source of dietary calcium, as are sesame seeds and broccoli. Calcium can also be found in tofu, oranges, and beans.
4) Save Money!
Cutting out milk and other dairy products is a great way to save money — this is especially true if you purchase organic or free-range milk. Like any living organism, cows require food, shelter, and water, which only adds to the expense of producing milk. If we remove them from this process, we cut down on these unnecessary expenses, thereby saving ourselves money!