Have you heard about the amazing benefits to drinking raw milk? More than likely the answer is no. You’ve probably heard scary stories about how it is bad for you though. Ever wondered why that might be? Our grandparents and great grandparents had no problem drinking raw milk, but it is a death sentence in the world we live in today. Why do I drink raw milk? Let me get up on my soapbox and tell you.
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I Only Like Real Milk
Growing up, I was never a big fan of milk. My mom used to have to get creative in order to get enough calcium into my diet. I remember it making my stomach hurt, so I avoided it for the most part. Once in a while I would enjoy a bit of chocolate milk, but never much. I found it weird when older kids or adults would drink milk. Milk was only good for dunking cookies in my world.
As I started to learn about homesteading and sourdough, I kept hearing about the Weston A. Price foundation. I bought Nourishing Traditions and started reading. After lots of time spent online reading about raw milk, I decided to give it a try. I found a local creamery and gave it a go. As it turns out, I like raw milk. A lot in fact. And it doesn’t make my stomach hurt at all. You will no longer hear me say, “I don’t like milk.” Instead I’m saying, “I only like real milk.” There are times people will ask me why I drink raw milk and I tell them what I know and encourage them to do the research for themselves. So I will encourage you to do the same. Don’t take my word for anything. Grab a book or do a Google search to find your own why.
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Isn’t Drinking Raw Milk Dangerous?
If you go looking for information about raw milk on Google you’re likely to find a lot of scary information. The FDA would like you to believe that raw milk will cause instant death to all that allow it to touch their lips. I found this strange given that a few generations ago a family milk cow was very common. My grandparents both drank raw milk from the cow. My mom and uncles were raised on it too. So I began to question whether drinking raw milk was actually as dangerous as those selling pasteurized milk wanted us to believe.
I found Chris Kresser to have some insightful information about the dangers of raw milk. He pointed out that diary is the least likely source of foodborne illness and a death hasn’t happened since the mid 1980’s. He did a great job breaking down the statistics to show the true numbers. Although there is a chance of 1 in 6 million that I could get sick from raw milk, I decided it was worth the risk. After all, there’s a 1 in 4 million chance of being bitten by a shark but I still swam in the ocean.
Milk from commercial dairies has to be pasteurized to avoid making us all sick. When cows are living in crowded spaces with more poo than grass the bacteria builds up quickly. Then that milk must last longer so that it can be shipped and sold. Pasteurized milk is easier to sell for money.
Raw milk tends to come from smaller farms with fewer animals and more natural living conditions. When animals have ample space they prefer not to poop where they eat. This cuts down on the bacteria and makes it safer for the animals and the people consuming their milk.
Why Do I Drink Raw Milk Instead of Pasteurized Milk?
It still has the good stuff!
Pasteurization kills all of the bacteria both good and bad. This isn’t great for gut health. Much like water kefir and sourdough, raw milk provides our bodies with the good bacteria needed to function optimally. Did you know that it can also kill the vitamin C in the milk? When the milk comes from a clean and responsible source, there’s no need to boil the good stuff out of it.
It’s local!
There’s something to be said for shopping locally and supporting the little guy. I’m happy to drive 30 minutes to go get raw milk and farm eggs once a week. I know where my money is going and who it is supporting. I’d rather support a local farmer than Hiland any day. Plus I get to moo at all the cows as I drive by.
It doesn’t bother my stomach!
It is not uncommon to hear people say that they are lactose intolerant or that milk simply doesn’t sit well with them. The Weston A. Price Foundation has noted that many people who can’t tolerate pasteurized dairy can consume raw dairy without problems. Of course the FDA denies any reason for this difference, but clearly there’s a connection. I suspect God knew exactly what he was doing and we are just messing things up.
How to Source Raw Milk?
The hardest part about drinking raw milk is sourcing it. Unfortunately it is not commonly sold in stores and we don’t all have a cow in our backyard. Real Milk is a website that helps you find a local source for raw milk near you. Simply enter your state, then either your zip code or city. Once you find a farm, check their website or Facebook page to find out how to obtain the milk. The first farm I used required you to preorder it. Unfortunately they closed down and I had to find a new one. The new farm only requires you to pre order if it is a time of low production or you are picking it up at a drop site. During calving season, I just head to the farm on Saturday morning to get my milk and eggs. No reservation required.
The site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As a Revive EO Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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