Why it’s important to go Organic with your Dairy!

I’m not going to lie, it’s hard for me to pay $6 a gallon for organic milk. But I do it anyway. Let me share with you WHY.

Before I started forking over our hard earned cash for organic dairy items, I wanted to make sure I was doing it for a reason, not just to be “organic”. Afterall, there is the Clean Fifteen list where you can save money on produce by not buying organic, so maybe this was the same for dairy? Not so.

First, let’s talk about milk. If you drink cow’s milk, there are some things you should know. America drinks a lot of milk: 20 gallons per person, per year. And we know kids drink even more than that! In order to keep up with this consumption, many cows are given something called rGBH, or “Recombinant Growth Bovine Hormone”, a synthetic (man-made) growth hormone. Why on earth would they give cows growth hormone, you ask? Here’s the nauseating reason:

Cows are given rGBH to increase milk production. However, this in turn causes infection in their udders (basically cow mastitis—and all you mamas who have experienced this (myself and Sarah included), know how awful this is!). As a result, like their human counterparts, the cows have to be treated with antibiotics. And guess what leaks its way into your milk? That’s right, growth hormone and antibiotics! Bet you didn’t know you were pouring those over your cereal every morning! Ewww.

By buying organic, you are ensuring you are drinking hormone and antibiotic free milk. Another route is to drink nut milks (Almond, Coconut, etc.). A staple in both of our houses is unsweetened Almond milk—the kids love it too!

So of course yogurt is made from milk, so it is again important to ensure the milk is free of any hormones or antibiotics. The following brands are USDA organic:

• Stonyfield

• Fage

• Horizon

• Organics

• Organic Valley

• Earth’s Best

• Cloud Top

• Trader Joe’s

• Plum

(If I missed any, let me know!)

And with cheese, these brands offer organic options:

• Horizon

• Rumiano

• Organic Valley

• Applegate

When it comes to sour cream, cottage cheese, cream cheese, etc.-- just take a look around! Most stores will offer options for these as well. I am fortunate that the large grocery store I shop at carries its own line of Organics that are often at least $1 cheaper than name brand organics. And if you can’t find options at your grocery store, check to see if there is an organic shop near you! ~Briana