We hear it all the time: I would go vegan but
I really love cheese. But how much do you actually
know about the creamy dairy product you claim to love?
I really love cheese. But how much do you actually
know about the creamy dairy product you claim to love?
Cheese is a dairy product made in a wide array
of flavors, textures, and forms through the coagulation of the milk protein
casein. A main component of cheese is fat. In fact, dairy is the number one source of saturated fat in the
United States.
of flavors, textures, and forms through the coagulation of the milk protein
casein. A main component of cheese is fat. In fact, dairy is the number one source of saturated fat in the
United States.
Most cheeses start out as milk from cows. For
a cow to continually produce milk, she must be repeatedly impregnated. (Yes, like all
mammals, cows produce milk for their young.) This is done through artificial
insemination, a highly invasive and stressful procedure.
a cow to continually produce milk, she must be repeatedly impregnated. (Yes, like all
mammals, cows produce milk for their young.) This is done through artificial
insemination, a highly invasive and stressful procedure.
After carrying their babies for nine
months—just like humans—mother cows give birth. Newborn calves are typically
taken from their mothers within just hours. And yes, this incredibly cruel practice happens even at yorganic dairy farms. Understandably, this forced separation causes
the mothers to bellow for hours or days; they even pace and search in vain for
their stolen babies. Again, this torment happens at every dairy farm.
months—just like humans—mother cows give birth. Newborn calves are typically
taken from their mothers within just hours. And yes, this incredibly cruel practice happens even at yorganic dairy farms. Understandably, this forced separation causes
the mothers to bellow for hours or days; they even pace and search in vain for
their stolen babies. Again, this torment happens at every dairy farm.
In 2013, residents in Newbury, Massachusetts,
called the police because of crying they heard from a nearby dairy farm.
Upon investigation, authorities discovered that the cries had come from
mourning mothers whose newborns had been ripped away from them. Heartbreaking,
right?
called the police because of crying they heard from a nearby dairy farm.
Upon investigation, authorities discovered that the cries had come from
mourning mothers whose newborns had been ripped away from them. Heartbreaking,
right?
Scientists have proved that the mother-child
bond is not exclusive to humans. Imagine the anguish and stress mother cows
endure, giving birth over and over again only to have their babies torn away.
bond is not exclusive to humans. Imagine the anguish and stress mother cows
endure, giving birth over and over again only to have their babies torn away.
As if the mothers’ suffering weren’t terrible
enough, their babies are also brutalized. Male calves are killed for veal, and
females are raised to replace older cows who can no longer produce a profitable
amount of milk.
enough, their babies are also brutalized. Male calves are killed for veal, and
females are raised to replace older cows who can no longer produce a profitable
amount of milk.
Continually giving birth takes a physical
toll. A cow’s natural life span is 15 to 20 years, but because of neglect and the
traumatic breeding cycle, they typically live only about four or five years.
Once they are considered “spent, they are sent to slaughter, typically
becoming ground beef.
toll. A cow’s natural life span is 15 to 20 years, but because of neglect and the
traumatic breeding cycle, they typically live only about four or five years.
Once they are considered “spent, they are sent to slaughter, typically
becoming ground beef.
Countless studies show that dairy is
detrimental to human health. For instance, cow’s milk is linked to a 60 percent increased risk of prostate
cancer for every two glasses consumed daily. And women who switch
from dairy to soy products reduce their risk of breast cancer by a shocking 43
percent.
detrimental to human health. For instance, cow’s milk is linked to a 60 percent increased risk of prostate
cancer for every two glasses consumed daily. And women who switch
from dairy to soy products reduce their risk of breast cancer by a shocking 43
percent.
And as for the environment, the Natural Resources Defense Council lists cheese
as one of the top five worst foods to consume.
as one of the top five worst foods to consume.
Fortunately, there are tons of widely
available and delicious plant-based cheeses that are seriously
amazing! So what are you waiting for? For free vegan recipes, easy meal ideas, and tips order a FREE Vegetarian Starter Guide today.
available and delicious plant-based cheeses that are seriously
amazing! So what are you waiting for? For free vegan recipes, easy meal ideas, and tips order a FREE Vegetarian Starter Guide today.
