It’s not natural (Picture: Getty)

As consumers get more and more savvy, they’re ditching dairy foods faster than you can say ‘soya cheese’.

From health benefits to concern for animals, here are seven reasons why the white stuff is most definitely not the right stuff.

1. We are not baby cows

Cows produce milk for the same reason that humans do – to feed their babies. However, on most dairy farms calves are separated from their mothers between one to three days after birth so that the milk nature intended for them can instead be consumed by humans.


Female calves often share the same cruel fate as their mothers – they’re bred or artificially inseminated once they are mature enough, have their babies taken away from them and are treated as milk machines until they are no longer effective at producing milk and are sent to be slaughtered. The average life of a dairy cow is around 5 years.



2. It’s not natural

Humans are the only species to drink the milk of another animal. It would actually be more natural for any adult still drinking milk to drink human breast milk. If that thought turns your stomach, so also should the thought of drinking cow lactate.

3. There’s a bit of veal in every glass of milk

Male dairy calves are of no use to the dairy industry. Whilst some are reared for beef many are either sent to veal farms in Europe, where they’re confined to tiny dark enclosures for a few months until they’re killed for their flesh, or they are shot shortly after birth.

4. That milk moustache can lead to a milk gut

Nature designed cows’ milk to help a tiny calf grow into a 2,000lb cow in a few short months. Sound fattening? That’s because it is. Dairy foods contain a high proportion of saturated fat – all fats are high in calories and saturated fats can also increase the amount of cholesterol in your blood.

5. You’ll have better skin

Forget fancy potions and lotions, ditching dairy foods can give you the best skin of your life. Numerous studies have found that dairy consumption can trigger and increase the severity of acne – this could be down to a number of factors from dairy products causing skin inflammation to the fact that milk contains hormones which may affect the skin.

6. Some studies have linked dairy foods to an increased risk of developing heart disease and cancer

Besides containing artery-clogging cholesterol, dairy foods have been linked to various types of cancer, including prostate and breast cancer. The link between cancer and dairy products have not given clear results yet.

7. It’s killing the planet

Animal agriculture contributes 18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions – whilst this only accounts for 9 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, it makes up a shocking 65 percent of human-related nitrous oxide and 35 percent of methane – all of which are major contributors to climate change.

Agriculture also accounts for 70% of global freshwater consumption and 38% of the total land use making a diet rich in dairy and meat products totally unsustainable for the planet.



With all the delicious vegan milks, cheeses, butters and ice creams readily available to the conscious foodie, it has never been easier to go dairy-free. PETA.org.uk has free vegan starter kits you might find useful.

MORE: Ben & Jerry’s is making a dairy-free ice cream

MORE: 8 reasons you should stop eating meat for #NationalVegetarianWeek

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