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Continuing our discussion on eating healthy and how to get the nutrients you need from food, this week I\u2019d like to talk about a controversial dietary staple\u2026Dairy.\u00a0 So many of you fantastic and knowledgeable FGS readers responded to the posts on supplements <\/a>and raw food-ing<\/a>, and I am reaching out to you again on this one.<\/p>\n Really, for me it does not boil down to a love of milk and cheese, I could live without either just fine.\u00a0 It is about calcium and making sure I am getting enough of it.\u00a0 But we want the calcium that goes into our bodies to be \u201cgood\u201d calcium, and I am still unclear on whether or not calcium supplements are that great for our health.<\/p>\n As women, we are told repeatedly by doctors and health experts that we have to get a certain amount of calcium to avoid osteoporosis later in life.\u00a0 The recommended daily allowance <\/a>for calcium for women ages 19-50 is 1,000 mg, up to 1,200 mg for those over 50.<\/p>\n Your doctor probably asks if you are taking a calcium supplement at your annual visit, right?\u00a0 But I have read that the calcium in supplements can build up in the arteries, definitely not a good thing if this is true.<\/p>\n The latest news on the subject is that you are safe from this build up if you take your calcium supplement with a vitamin D supplement.\u00a0 Really?!\u00a0 This could be completely true, or it could be a big maybe because experts are still unsure.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not willing to take the chance and have decided to get my calcium from food.\u00a0 Namely, cow\u2019s milk.\u00a0 Why cow\u2019s milk?\u00a0 Because almond milk or even orange juice that has added calcium is just as good as taking a supplement.\u00a0 And then you do not even know anything about the quality of the supplement.<\/p>\n So, I was fine with my three glasses of calcium a day.\u00a0 That is until I read The Beauty Detox Solution <\/a>by Kimberly Snyder.\u00a0 In the book she explains that it is difficult for our bodies to digest animal products, especially dairy.\u00a0 As a matter of fact, in the first phase of her plan she suggests eliminating dairy from your diet completely<\/a> while still eating a small amount of meat (if you are a meat-eater).\u00a0 Wow, eliminate dairy before meat\u2026that got my attention.<\/p>\n In TBDS Kimberly explains that not only is dairy very difficult for our human bodies to break down and process (because of the high content of the proteins casein and whey) but also has links to autism and certain types of cancer.\u00a0 She states findings from studies funded by the National Institues of Health and the American Cancer Society which found \u201ca strong correlation between casein intake and the promotion of cancer cell growth when exposed to carcinogens\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 So dairy ups your risk of cancer?\u00a0 Ugh.\u00a0 The book goes on to say that osteoporosis is actually seen more often in those who consume higher amounts of dairy.<\/p>\n Kimberly, like many vegans and raw foodies, promotes getting your calcium through a plant-based diet<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0 Kale, cruciferous veg (broccoli, cauliflower), collards, cucumber, romaine, spinach, sesame seeds and bok choy are said to be good sources of calcium.\u00a0 And I am fine with getting my daily intake of calcium from veggies.<\/p>\n So, here is my big question<\/strong>:\u00a0 How do you know if you are getting enough calcium from the veg you eat?\u00a0 It is easy to pour a few glasses of milk a day, but how can we be sure we are eating enough of these vegetables to get the perfect amount of calcium.\u00a0 I like my vegetables, but am not having an easy time of being a complete vegan, let me tell you.<\/p>\n All of this leads to possibly the biggest question of all:\u00a0 Do we really need as much calcium as \u201cthey\u201d say we do?<\/p>\n This calcium thing has me confused and I would love to hear what your voices have to say about it!<\/strong><\/p>\nBut what is the best source of calcium?<\/strong><\/h3>\n