Milk
What you should know about animals in the dairy industry
The life of dairy cows – why milk is bad for animals
Milk causes suffering
Cows are friendly and intelligent animals that, when given the chance, care for their young and form lifelong friendships with each other. But on many dairy farms, cows are kept intensively confined and live desperately unhappy lives, while the people who drink their milk have an increased risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and many other ailments.
Cows are often treated as milk-producing machines, and dairies selectively breed cows to produce unnaturally large quantities of milk. In Denmark, their calves are taken away from them within 12 hours of birth in conventional milk production and 24 hours after birth in organic production, causing grief and anxiety for both mother and calf. Mother cows often bellow and call desperately for their young for several days afterwards.
Cows raised for milk production may spend their entire lives on concrete floors. They are fed unnatural, protein-rich diets—including dead chickens, pigs, and other animals—to make them produce more milk. Today, a European cow produces approximately 4.5 times more milk than she needs to feed her calf. As a result, these cows often suffer from painful udder inflammation or mastitis, which leads to higher levels of pus and bacteria in their milk.
The constant pregnancy is a strain on the cows, exhausting them and often rendering them lame. When they are exhausted and can no longer produce such large quantities of milk, they are sent to the slaughterhouse and killed.
Fortunately, there are many ways you can help put an end to their suffering:
Replace milk, cheese, butter, and other dairy products that you normally eat with plant-based alternatives.
Ask for plant-based alternatives to dairy products at your favorite restaurants.
Sign up and get free, delicious plant-based recipes and much more at VeganerUdfordringen.dk.
See for yourself how cows are treated in the dairy industry
Few have witnessed the unimaginable suffering that cows and calves on dairy farms are often subjected to, where a vicious cycle of cruelty affects entire families. Animal Equality's team of investigators takes you inside this secretive industry to share the heartbreaking stories behind a glass of milk.
Please note that this video contains images of animal cruelty.
Questions and answers about milk
Is milk healthy?
Milk has traditionally been considered an important source of nutrients such as calcium and protein, but recent research and environmental considerations raise questions about whether it is healthy or necessary to include milk in the diet. Firstly, milk can be problematic for many people due to lactose intolerance, which affects a significant portion of the world's population and can cause stomach problems, bloating, and discomfort. In addition, there are concerns about the role of dairy products in heart disease and certain types of cancer, although research is still mixed. Environmentally, milk production is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and soil pollution, raising questions about its sustainability. These factors, combined with the increasing availability of plant-based alternatives, mean that more and more people are choosing to avoid milk for both health and environmental reasons.
How do you get calcium without milk?
Although milk is often highlighted as a primary source of calcium, there are many plant-based alternatives that can help meet our daily calcium needs. Green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and bok choy are excellent sources of calcium and also contain a wide range of other nutrients. Sesame seeds and almonds are also rich in calcium and can be easily integrated into your daily diet, either as snacks or as part of various dishes. In addition, foods such as tofu and tempeh, which are often fortified with calcium, are good plant-based sources of protein. Certain grain products and plant-based milk products (such as soy, almond, and oat milk) are often fortified with calcium and other nutrients, making them convenient alternatives to cow's milk. Furthermore, dried fruits such as figs and dates can contribute to calcium intake. These plant-based sources of calcium are not only nutritionally valuable, but they also offer a sustainable solution in terms of environmental impact compared to traditional milk production.
Animal-friendly and environmentally friendly alternatives to milk
With growing awareness of health, animal welfare, and the environment, plant-based milk alternatives are gaining popularity as sustainable and humane choices. These alternatives offer a variety of flavors and nutritional profiles that appeal to different preferences and nutritional needs.
In Denmark, switching to oat milk has become incredibly popular. This is an excellent alternative, as its production is much less harmful to the environment than cow's milk. But there are also a wide range of other alternatives. Soy milk, one of the most nutrient-dense plant milks, is rich in protein and often fortified with calcium and vitamins. Almond milk, known for its light and nutty flavor, is low in calories and a good choice for those seeking a low saturated fat content. Oat milk, which has a natural sweetness and creamy texture, is particularly popular in coffee and tea. Rice and cashew milk are other options, each offering unique flavor profiles. These alternatives are not only good for those with lactose intolerance or milk allergies, but also for those who want to reduce their environmental footprint, as the production of plant-based milks often requires fewer resources and leads to lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to cow's milk. With more and more innovative plant-based products on the market, it has become easier and more accessible than ever to incorporate these milk alternatives into a daily diet.
We particularly recommend Naturli's plant-based milk, which you can now find in almost all supermarkets. They have a wide selection of almond, oat, "mini," rice, and soy milk in their range. They are available in a classic version as well as a frothable, barista version, which is ideal for coffee and hot drinks in general. Naturli' also offers oat-based cooking cream, plant-based yogurt, and the critically acclaimed spreadable butter. Naturli's alternatives to milk and dairy products make it easy to switch to plant-based products and thus make the animal- and climate-friendly choice.