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Mother to two wonderful children, Dubai based Vineeta Punjabi shares how she decided not to give her children dairy and what are the effects
My daughter was about 9 months old and my son was 4 years old when I decided to remove dairy products (milk, butter, ghee, paneer, etc.) from their diet. This was after I came across SHARAN and Dr. Nandita’s work.
I went through the works of other plant-based doctors – Dr. Neal Barnard and Dr. Michael Greger, and understood the connection between dairy and lifestyle diseases, including cancer. My sister was very young when she passed away due to cancer, and once I learnt that dairy is linked to it, there was no looking back. I learnt how milk is a cocktail of pus, hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and urea. It is a known fact that countries with the highest per capita milk consumption also have the highest rates of osteoporosis. Hormones in milk can promote breast and prostate cancers. It was also an easy decision to make once I learnt how cruel the dairy industry is. I just didn’t want to support a product that separated mothers from their babies. Shifting to a plant-based lifestyle raised concerns about calcium, protein, and overall growth. I spent many hours researching on the topic and found that a plant-based lifestyle is the healthiest way to live, even for infants. Dr. Benjamin Spock, one of the most esteemed paediatricians of all time, who lived till the age of ninety-four, recommended that children be raised on a plant-based diet with no exposure to meat or dairy products. “Children who grow up getting their nutrition from plant foods have a tremendous health advantage and are less likely to develop health problems as the years go by.”
My children are thriving on the plant-based lifestyle. They have reached their milestones; Their immunity is good (we barely visit the doctor). If they get a cold or flu, within a few days they recover, without the need of medicines or antibiotics.
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Dates, Nuts and Seeds Shake
The biggest myth to beat is that we require milk for calcium! Sesame seeds have much more calcium. Other sources of calcium include almonds, sweet potatoes, greens, beans, chickpeas. Try this recipe as a replacement for that glass of milk for your children
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds – raw, organic, unpolished
- 6 – 8 almonds
- 6 – 8 dates, pitted
- 1 cardamom /⅛ tsp cinnamon /4 – 5 strands of saffron (for flavour)
- ¾ cup drinking water
Method:
In a small blender, blend sesame seeds, almonds and the flavouring together, until it forms a powder. Then, add the dates and blend until you obtain a thick paste-like consistency. Add some water if required, to make it smoother. Add more water to obtain the consistency of a shake. Transfer to a tall glass and serve.
Serves 1
Food For The Mind
FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUP
If you love Facebook, then join us to be supported on your plant based journey. We are offering two possibilities
1. SHARAN India is SHARAN’s main Facebook page which you can like and follow for getting useful daily updates and news from the plant based health world. You will also get news about the latest SHARAN events, see testimonials, and more.
2. SHARAN’s Vegan Support Group is an open support group to know more about vegan/plant-based lifestyle. Here you can ask questions and share inspiring stories, tips, recipes, etc.
All our doctors and presenters will be here to answer your questions and give you tips. If you have attended our events join this group to be a part of our family.
Please like the main SHARAN page and join the group(s) applicable to you.
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Milk for Kids?
Yes…when their own mother produces it. No…when the cow produces it.
Milk is food for growth, which every mammal produces for her young. When it’s not needed, nature automatically stops its production. Humans are the only species that consume another mammal’s milk lifelong. Cows are manipulated in various ways and treated as mere milk machines. They are artificially inseminated; their babies are taken away from them so all their milk can be sold, and they are often injected with hormones to force them to produce more milk. Cows are also routinely given antibiotics to deal with injuries to udders due to the milk machines. Toxins from the plastic and other garbage that cows consume also affect the quality of her milk.
So what will happen if your child doesn’t have milk and milk products?
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1. Higher IQ
Studies suggest that children who stay off animal products have a 5-point higher IQ than those who consume animals and animal products. George Bernard Shaw stated ‘A mind of the caliber of mine cannot derive its nutrients from cows while Benjamin Franklin stated that an animal- free diet resulted in greater clarity of mind and quicker comprehension.
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2. Less likely to suffer from obesity, heart disease and high cholesterol
All animal products contain fat and cholesterol. Milk is an animal product and has both. Fatty deposits in arteries can begin in childhood, leading to heart issues at an early age. Childhood obesity can also be prevented by avoiding milk.
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3. Will get enough calcium
Our body is alkaline. High protein foods such as dairy are acid yielding in our body. These acids must be neutralized by leaching calcium from the bones. Countries with the highest per capita consumption of dairy have the highest rates of osteoporosis. Greens, beans, and sesame seeds are more than enough calcium for our needs. After all, the cow, too, gets calcium from plants!
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4. Freedom from hormonal issues
Milk, being the natural secretion of a female mammal, is full of hormones. This affects our own hormonal balance causing various hormonal issues that we see today – obesity, hypothyroid, PCOD, prostate enlargement, infertility, menstrual problems, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer. Avoiding dairy will keep your children free from these.
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5. No Food Allergies
Cow’s milk is second to eggs as the cause of allergies in children.
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6. Less doctor visits
The common cold and cough in children is mainly caused by consumption of dairy products as milk forms mucus.
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7. Have a more variety in their diets
Since all dairy and dairy products have alternatives, your child can have milk, butter, cheese, ice-cream, cakes, cookies and more made from plant-based foods.
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8. Active & Energetic
Our bodies are not designed to digest another mammal’s milk, and it takes a lot of energy to digest it. When we avoid milk, we conserve energy.
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9. Healthier and Happier
Cows go through immense stress when forced to produce milk, and these stress hormones end up in milk and affect us as well. Children who are off dairy are healthier and happier too.
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10. Feel more Compassion
Since a vegan diet is also based upon compassion, you will be raising children who are caring, patient and aware.
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