I was watching Modern Marvels last night, and it was an episode about milk and its derivative products. It reminded me of a discussion I had recently where a friend explained to me that he does not drink milk. He explained that humans are the only adult mammals who drink milk, and not even milk from their own species. I said that humans are also the only mammals who build skyscrapers and land on the moon. So what?
I also read that dairy products separate skin from muscle, contributing to flabbiness. That was new to me. I’m not sure how much milk you’d have to consume for that effect to show. On the other hand, last night’s MM show said that milk has all kinds of nutritional value.
I like milk on cereal and after eating cookies or chocolate cake, but I almost never drink milk by itself when I’m thirsty. It’s more of a supplement to something else I’ve eaten. And it’s obviously a common cooking component.
Now I wonder: Do other readers of this blog consciously not drink milk, like my friend?
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January 8th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I don’t drink milk… but I do love cheese. mmmmm… cheese…
–chuck
http://chuck.goolsbee.org
January 8th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Humans also happen to be the only mammals with ready access to a supply of milk outside of infancy.
It’s also interesting to note how ancestry and genetics can play a (huge) part in milk preferences. For instance, Italians think it’s terribly gauche how much milk Americans drink with their coffee. But they’re also far more like than Americans to be lactose intolerant (50% or so vs 12%): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactose_intolerance#Lactose_intolerance_by_group. Food for thought.
January 9th, 2008 at 3:06 am
I don’t drink milk on it’s own or tea/coffee. I use Soya Milk on cereal. This was originally to reduce the amount of milk I consume as I am a vegetarian. I am now not bothered about milk being used in anything else I eat though and prefer the taste of soya milk with cereal..
January 9th, 2008 at 7:23 am
I also use milk as a supplement, unlike my several friends from Minnesota, who exemplify the differences in regional culture regarding the ubiquity of the stuff. All three of those very nice folks were raised to drink milk in great quantities. I was raised in NYC, and stopped drinking milk on its own once I was out of elementary school.
I use skim or part-skim when I can get it. And I’m with Mr. Goolsbee on the seductive difference of fermented curd.