What type of milk should I be drinking?

[Emma27]

Is full fat milk the best type to drink when you are trying to concieve? I am quite intertested to know.

[mellybelly81]

Hi Emma

I have read a book where the belief is that eating "whole" foods is better for your body when ttc, to keep things as natural as possible. So that means full fat dairy, unrefined grains, sugars etc. Obviously you would want to limit the dairy to avoid the "bad" effects such as cholesterol and weight gain, but the thinking is to have as much that has not been processed as possible.

Just something that I have read.

[JellyBean]

Hi Emma,

If you are going to consume dairy milk, it is best to consume organic full cream milk.
This is because conventional cow's milk contains high residues of a genetically modified synthetic growth hormone and antibiotics- both which are routinely administered to the cow. (The hormone is to make the cow grow larger and produce more milk, and the antibiotics are to prevent thrush infection in the cow's udder which occurs as a result of repeated exposure to the growth hormone).
The growth hormone in particular presents as a barrier to conception as it mimics the effect of oestrogen in the body (just like synthetic oestrogen in the contraceptive pill)and can wreak havoc on your natural hormones (the balance of which is essential for an easy conception). This hormone is banned in certain European counties due to studies which have linked it to precocious puberty (early onset of menstruation) and breast cancer in females, as well as diminishing sperm rates in males. Unfortunately this hormone is present in high concentrations in dairy produce in Australia, NZ and the US.
The antibiotics present a barrier as they kill of the probiotic 'friendly' bacteria which live inside your digestive tract and are essential for the absorption of nutrients from your food as well as optimum immune function.
If you find organic milk hard to come by, the next best thing would be Goat's Milk (organic if possible). You may need to ask at your local health food store. Goat's are typically not administered these hormones or antibiotics as the demand for their milk is not as high.
If you are interested, I can also highly recommend the Organic Oat Milk by Pureharvest- it is available from both Coles and Woolies and blends wonderfully with a bowl of cereal, muesli or porridge oats. Oats are so good for you- but I won't bore you with the reasons why. I was drinking this when I conceived and have enjoyed much improved health after switching to this type of milk from conventional dairy.
Have a look also at the article on the wonderful probiotic + superfood supplement 'In-Liven' here on bellybelly. This supplement will be particularly good if you choose to continue consuming cow's milk as it will enhance the absorption of nutrients and counteract the effect of the antibiotics. Also great for the spermies!!!

Best of luck!!

PS- I don't recommend Soy as an alternative to dairy, as most (unorganic) varieties are derived from gentically-modified soya beans which present their own range of problems.