Make Over Your Moo Juice

2014 is my year. I am committed to making changes in my family’s diet. I know I am not alone when I say that my children would be happy eating the same three things every day. Their favorite foods also seem to be filled with fat and are often fried. The saying “you are what you eat” is repeated in my head daily, and I want to provide the best start I can for my children. This year is our new start; follow my journey as I make changes that will affect my children, husband and myself forever! Bimonthly I will write about one of the changes that I have made.        

First up - finding the right milk for us. While it may seem like an easy task, all of the options on the shelf (organic and non-organic) make the decision a bit tricky.  Milk is a necessity in my house; my children love it. My husband and I grew up with the thought that if a little bit of milk is good for you, a lot of milk is even better. The National Institutes of Health says three servings (one cup/serving) is all a child 3 years old and up needs. Children ages 1-2 should consume whole milk, but those at age 2 and up can switch to reduced fat or skim if their doctor recommends. Milk is the number one source of calcium and is also fortified with vitamin D, which is essential for bone development. Plus, the fat content helps with brain and nerve development. Too much milk, however, may increase the likelihood that the child may fill up and not consume other nutrient dense foods.      A surprising number of options confront the consumer when it comes to milk. While organic is all the rage, is the extra $3-ish/gallon really worth the extra hit to the budget? Options abound when it comes to cow’s milk: traditional milk, no-hormone-added milk and organic.   

• Our typical/traditional milk contains steroids, antibiotics and hormones that are given to the cows to increase growth and development, which in turn increases their milk production. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains that these additives are safe for consumption and cause no harm to children or adults, many studies offer conflicting reports.
• Organic milk is from cows that are allowed to graze on pasture, fed organic certified feed and not treated with drugs. To be organic, the milk also must be treated and processed according to specific standards.
• Many brands found on the shelves of our local grocery store also offer options of non-organic milk with a pledge that states the cows used were not treated with hormones or antibiotics.

After my research, I have decided this last option is for us. Yes, the research is still out on the effects of the hormones and antibiotics on our children’s little bodies, but I do not want to take the risk. Not only does this choice benefit our health, but it is also the kindest to our wallets. This change was easy to make, and there has been no sacrifice!      

Jessica Heine is a labor and delivery nurse who is making small changes to take her family’s already healthy lifestyle to the next level.