Happy & Healthy

LOSE KILOS BY SKIPPING YOUR CAFFè LATTE

On Saturday, I ran into my childhood girlfriend in a busy Kalverstraat. It was somewhat embarrassing because I hardly recognized her. She had lost eight kilos in four months and looked amazing. Her secret? Very simple: less dairy, more plant-based food. Yes, I can hear you thinking. Yes, it really is possible. And how convenient is that with the holidays coming up? That bag of ginger nuts on your desk doesn't have to go straight into the trash, and you can just enjoy a drink this afternoon.

‘Milk is good for everyone’ is a sort of mantra for all of us. Drinking cow's milk has been ingrained in us since childhood and is a perfect addition to our daily diet. Right from birth, you get a bottle, then you're kept sweet with Danoontjes, and before you know it, you're having cheese sandwiches with a glass of milk and a yogurt afterward. And I haven't even mentioned the cappuccinos in between.

‘Milk is good for everyone’

Are we even aware of how much dairy we consume daily? And what does it do to our bodies? Milk consists of 51% lactose, a fancy name for milk sugar. And that is precisely the fattening agent in milk. Those innocent cappuccinos and latte macchiatos are unfortunately not as innocent as you think. Do you drink an average of about five latte macchiatos a day? That's a carton of milk. To be exact: one and a half liters of whole milk. You don't think about it, but it adds up. Especially if you start your day with a bowl of yogurt and always top your sandwiches with butter and cheese alongside those vases of milk. Small changes in your eating habits can have a significant impact on your body.

Are you afraid of not getting enough calcium? Because you get that from milk, right? Wrong. Leafy greens, cabbage varieties, and nuts contain a wealth of calcium. And your body absorbs them better than the animal variant, such as, yes, milk. The proteins in milk actually contribute negatively to your calcium balance.

But what about my coffee, you might be thinking now. There are delicious alternatives to that whole milk in your fridge. Try a splash of plant-based milk. Coconut milk, almond milk, or rice milk are also great substitutes. Just check the packaging, because they sometimes sneak in some added sugars.