Dr. Noorali Bharwani

Is milk good for you?

The answer depends on who you talk to. If you have milk allergy then of course it is not good for you. If you have no allergy then why wouldn’t you drink milk?

“America’s iconic ‘Got Milk?’ campaign was pulled this year (2014) after a successful run of over 20 years. Graced by the likes of Bill Clinton, Naomi Campbell, Elton John, David Beckham, and Angelina Jolie sporting a milk moustache, the campaign garnered wide recognition. Yet milk was losing favour against a growing variety of breakfast and drink options,” says Dr. Anita Jain, India editor of the British Medical Journal (BMJ October 29, 2014).

Now the dairy industry is focused on promoting milk as rich in protein content. Protein is good for you. Milk has long been promoted as a source of protein and calcium essential for bone health. The evidence, though, on the health benefits of milk consumption is scant and divided, says the BMJ article.

Milk continues to be a controversial dietary recommendation. There are not just health risks and benefits to be considered, but often also the availability and feasibility of consuming milk against deriving necessary nutritional value from other foods.

With growing public interest in a vegan diet, the morality of consuming dairy products presents a new angle too, says Jain. A vegan diet is one that consists of only plant-derived foods. Vegans do not use or consume any animals or animal products including milk.

Many asthmatics perceive their asthma is worsened by drinking milk. There is no scientific evidence to confirm that.

There is no evidence that milk leads to excessive mucus secretion. It does not make saliva thick. These unscientific controversies make people forget that milk is an important source of calories, calcium and vitamins for children.

What is the difference between milk allergy and lactose intolerance?

Milk allergy usually shows up early in life. It’s one of the most common food allergies in children. Cow’s milk is the usual cause of milk allergy, but milk from sheep, goats, buffalo and other mammals also can cause a reaction. Milk allergy is a true food allergy caused by an allergic reaction to the protein in milk.

Lactose intolerance is caused by not having enough of the enzyme lactase, which is needed to break down lactose, the sugar found in milk and other dairy products.

Why is it important to drink milk?

Government of Canada food guide website says having milk or fortified soy beverages every day provides the nutrients that you need for healthy bones and optimal health. It recommends the following:

1. Drink skim, one per cent or two per cent milk each day.
2. Have 500 mL (2 cups) of milk every day for adequate vitamin D.
3. Drink fortified soy beverages if you do not drink milk.
4. Select lower fat milk alternatives.
5. Compare the Nutrition Facts table on yogurts or cheeses to make wise choices.

Yes, milk is good for you. Bill Clinton, Naomi Campbell, Elton John, David Beckham, and Angelina Jolie cannot be wrong! Every day ask yourself: Have I had a milky day today?

Start reading the preview of my book A Doctor's Journey for free on Amazon. Available on Kindle for $2.99!

More than $31 billion worth of food is wasted every year in Canada. When energy, water and other resource costs are factored in the true cost could be up to three times that much (CBC News, Dec 11, 2014).

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency produces a Guide to Food Labeling and Advertising that sets out a “Durable Life Date”. The authority for producing the guide comes from the Food and Drugs Act. The guide sets out what items must be labeled and the format of the date.

It is expensive to throw away food. A family of four loses $1,500 each year on food it throws away. But the damage is global as well when you take into account how much water, energy, and labor it takes to grow, package, and transport the food that never gets eaten. What’s more, food that has been tossed is the biggest component of landfills, and as it decomposes, it produces the greenhouse gas methane.

What to do with food that has passed expiry date? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) web site says expiry date matter. Do not ignore it.

According to Wikipedia, shelf life is defined as the length of time that a commodity may be stored without becoming unfit for use, consumption, or sale. Most expiration dates are used as guidelines based on normal and expected handling and exposure to temperature.

Consumer Reports (July 24, 2918) says, “Confusion over expiration dates leads Americans to throw out food when it might still be good.”

The report says there are several reasons why we throw away food that may be good to eat – picky kids, overstocked pantries, or even leftovers that sit in refrigerators too long.

But another major factor is the misconception about what all of those dates on food package labels – “sell by,” “use by,” and “best if used by” – really mean.

Statistics show 90 per cent of Americans misinterpret the dates on labels and throw out food that could still be consumed or frozen for later use, says Consumer Reports.

That raises the question: If expiration dates aren’t a reliable gauge of food spoilage, how does a consumer know what to keep and what to toss?

Consumer Reports gives the following guidelines:

1. With the exception of baby formula, there are no federal regulations on date labeling.
2. Often the “best if used by,” “sell by,” and “use by” designations are just manufacturers’ best guesses about how long their food will taste its freshest.
3. Supermarkets may also use the dates as a guide when stocking shelves. But the dates have little to do with how safe the food is.

It is a tricky situation. How confident would you be to eat food that has passed “expiry date”?

Here is what Consumer Reports says: As a general rule of thumb, most canned foods (for example, canned tuna, soups, and vegetables) can be stored for two to five years, and high-acid foods (canned juices, tomatoes, pickles) can be stored for a year up to 18 months, according to the USDA. Watch out for dents and bulges in cans, though. That might be a sign it’s time to toss those products.

Important thing is to be safe. Follow good food handling and storage practices. This will prevent unnecessary spoilage and ensure food safety.

The U.S Congress is trying to define what dates on food labels mean. One Congressman said, “It’s time to settle that argument, end the confusion, and stop throwing away perfectly good food.” In the meantime be safe. Buy what you need so you don’t waste food.

Start reading the preview of my book A Doctor's Journey for free on Amazon. Available on Kindle for $2.99!