Why are dairy-free diets becoming more popular?
Over the years, there have been many myths about certain nutrients and food groups. People have wrongly been told to follow low-fat diets, then low-carbohydrate diets and now the popular trend of low-animal-protein diets. Food groups have been hit too. For example, people were told to reduce fruit and certain types of vegetables. It seems that all food groups have been wrongly targeted, dairy being no different.
Do you think this is a short-term fad that people will eventually grow out of or is it likely to be a long-term issue?
Like all fads, it will run its course. Irish people rely on dairy for their iodine intakes. Research has shown worryingly low levels of iodine in pregnant women’s diets, which is leading to serious health consequences for the mother and baby. Unfortunately, people will be awoken to the dangers of cutting out important foods when a part of their health or their loved ones' health suffers because of fad-following.
Some dietitians warn people against consuming dairy products and using dairy ingredients in foods. Is there any basis to their claims?
Nutrition is not based on belief; it is based in science. There are different views but not many between those who have actually studied it. If a dietitian is warning particular people against consuming dairy products, it is for a medical reason such as cow's milk protein allergy. However, this allergy is rare in adults.
Irish farmers need to show how good they are. A lot of the scaremongering comes from information and misinformation about farming practices abroad
Are there nutritional issues with dairy-free diets? What does science tell us about possible implications for people’s health if they live dairy-free lives?
When a person cuts out foods, they leave behind nutritional gaps that need to be filled. Dairy is more than just calcium. Dairy provides the recommended daily allowance for a number of important vitamins and minerals. Each and every nutritional gap needs to be filled or else that person will experience short- and long-term consequences from avoidance.
What are the key benefits for including dairy in diet?
There are many. Other than bone health, dairy is often used to build healthy muscles. Milk is used as a recovery drink from exercise as it rehydrates, refuels and enables repair. Some people chose to supplement their diet with the proteins naturally found in milk, called whey and casein. In fact, you wold be hard-pushed to find a gym or sports ground where these protein shakes are not found in abundance. Dairy also supplies vitamin B12, which can prevent a particular type of anaemia which leads to low energy and fatigue.
Is there anything that can be done at farm level to help promote dairy as a healthy food source?
Irish farmers need to show how good they are. A lot of the scaremongering comes from information and misinformation about farming practices abroad. There’s a reason why Irish farmers are world-renowned. All these reasons needs to be clearly explained to the Irish public.
Orla Walsh is a qualified dietitian and member of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (MINDI) and Self-Employed Dietitians of Ireland (SEDI). She is also registered with CORU and is on the Panel for the Provision of High Performance Sport Services in Ireland.
Why are dairy-free diets becoming more popular?
Over the years, there have been many myths about certain nutrients and food groups. People have wrongly been told to follow low-fat diets, then low-carbohydrate diets and now the popular trend of low-animal-protein diets. Food groups have been hit too. For example, people were told to reduce fruit and certain types of vegetables. It seems that all food groups have been wrongly targeted, dairy being no different.
Do you think this is a short-term fad that people will eventually grow out of or is it likely to be a long-term issue?
Like all fads, it will run its course. Irish people rely on dairy for their iodine intakes. Research has shown worryingly low levels of iodine in pregnant women’s diets, which is leading to serious health consequences for the mother and baby. Unfortunately, people will be awoken to the dangers of cutting out important foods when a part of their health or their loved ones' health suffers because of fad-following.
Some dietitians warn people against consuming dairy products and using dairy ingredients in foods. Is there any basis to their claims?
Nutrition is not based on belief; it is based in science. There are different views but not many between those who have actually studied it. If a dietitian is warning particular people against consuming dairy products, it is for a medical reason such as cow's milk protein allergy. However, this allergy is rare in adults.
Irish farmers need to show how good they are. A lot of the scaremongering comes from information and misinformation about farming practices abroad
Are there nutritional issues with dairy-free diets? What does science tell us about possible implications for people’s health if they live dairy-free lives?
When a person cuts out foods, they leave behind nutritional gaps that need to be filled. Dairy is more than just calcium. Dairy provides the recommended daily allowance for a number of important vitamins and minerals. Each and every nutritional gap needs to be filled or else that person will experience short- and long-term consequences from avoidance.
What are the key benefits for including dairy in diet?
There are many. Other than bone health, dairy is often used to build healthy muscles. Milk is used as a recovery drink from exercise as it rehydrates, refuels and enables repair. Some people chose to supplement their diet with the proteins naturally found in milk, called whey and casein. In fact, you wold be hard-pushed to find a gym or sports ground where these protein shakes are not found in abundance. Dairy also supplies vitamin B12, which can prevent a particular type of anaemia which leads to low energy and fatigue.
Is there anything that can be done at farm level to help promote dairy as a healthy food source?
Irish farmers need to show how good they are. A lot of the scaremongering comes from information and misinformation about farming practices abroad. There’s a reason why Irish farmers are world-renowned. All these reasons needs to be clearly explained to the Irish public.
Orla Walsh is a qualified dietitian and member of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (MINDI) and Self-Employed Dietitians of Ireland (SEDI). She is also registered with CORU and is on the Panel for the Provision of High Performance Sport Services in Ireland. 
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