What's The Deal With Dairy?

Some praise it, others say avoid it – so what do we need to know about dairy? We ask the opinions of two experts...

IT’S EASY TO FEEL THERE ARE mixed messages when it comes to dairy. One day we’re told it’s a diet must-have that helps protect your bones and heart health as well as keeping your waistline in check, and the next we hear that it contributes to inflammation, allergies and even some diseases.

So we asked two experts to each give us their take on it and weigh in to the great dairy debate...

Do it for dairy!

‘Your brain and bones benefit from the nutrition in dairy...’ Do it for dairy!

When it comes to an effective and fairly inexpensive source of protein, milk and other dairy products are hard to beat. ‘They contain all the essential amino acids that your body needs for healthy growth, strong muscles and important repair work,’ says Sophie Medlin, dietitian and lecturer in nutrition and dietetics at King’s College London. ‘They are rich in calcium, magnesium and phosphate, which are essential for keeping your bones healthy.’ Dairy foods also contain vitamin B12, which is important for the wellbeing of your brain and nervous system.

While dairy products aren’t strictly an essential aspect of your diet, in the UK we are heavily reliant on milk and dairy for various nutrients that are hard to get from other foods. ‘It’s true that calcium can be found in things such as green vegetables, but the calcium in some veg is harder for your body to use because it binds to other compounds in the plant,’ says Sophie.

BUILDING A HEALTHY BODY