Whether served in a glass or incorporated into your favorite meals, the benefits of organic European dairy to your health cannot be overlooked
Milk and dairy have been, and always will be, kitchen staples. These make up a good part of our diet and contain many of the nutrients we need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Not to mention, our only meals throughout our early lives were milk. But outside necessity and functionality, they are simply delicious and serve as important ingredients for our favorite cups of coffee, desserts, and savory bites.
There are other sources of calcium such as collard greens, spinach, salmon, and oranges. However, there’s nothing quite like the richness and creaminess of cow’s milk to refresh and satisfy.
According to the National Dairy Authority (NDA), the Philippines imports 99 percent of its dairy requirement to make up for shortcomings in domestic production. As dairy imports in the country are projected to rise by 3% to 3.5 million metric tons (MT) in liquid milk equivalent in 2024, organic dairy sourced from Europe may be items you would soon have to consider for your next grocery run.
Take the extra step for a healthy and balanced diet, and the environment with organic European dairy.
A glass a day for a healthy and balanced diet
A balanced diet entails the consistent consumption of foods and nutrients in sufficient amounts. Unfortunately, having busy and packed schedules has made it so that we tend to bias macronutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in our meals—omitting other micronutrients which can lead to a weakened immune system.
Milk and dairy contain calcium and protein, as well as other nutrients like vitamins A and B12, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. According to the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF), it is recommended that we “consume milk, milk products, and other calcium-rich food such as small fish and shellfish, every day for healthy bones and teeth.”
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According to the Danish Agriculture & Food Council and Food Nation, “Organic dairy products and beef contain significantly higher levels of omega-3 fatty acid, linoleic acid and vitamin E.”
Calcium and bone health
Milk is not just for kids. The benefits a healthy consumption of calcium provides extend to adults as well. In fact, the recommended calcium intake increases as you get older—from roughly 500 mg a day for children to around 1,000 mg a day for full-grown adults.
Calcium does not only help you to maintain and develop your bones and teeth—it is also responsible for regulating both heart and muscle function. Moreover, neglecting your calcium intake can lead to your body absorbing the nutrient from your bones directly, leading to them becoming brittle and weak.
Dairy and your daily protein needs
Milk and dairy are also sources of protein, which is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass. A glass of milk (200ml, 1.5% fat) contains 8 grams of protein. A grown adult requires a minimum of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day (ex: 60 grams for a 75-kilogram male).
For your strength and body-building needs, milk is also shown to be instrumental in recovering and rehydrating after an exercise.
Organic European dairy and the environment
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To be organic is to minimize the scale of human intervention—ensuring that the creation of any animal produce is as naturally occurring as possible. By not utilizing genetically modified organisms (GMOs), artificial flavorings, colorants, sweeteners, and hormones, each product is made without virtually affecting any part of the natural cycle.
Organic animal farming entails taking extra steps to ensure that the cattle are provided with suitable conditions that enable natural behavior. This includes giving them access to grassland and sufficient living space. Free to roam and eat as they please, the harvesting of milk is approached with the utmost care and respect—as if it were simply a part of the natural course of life.
Soil management is also given priority—ensuring that whatever they place into the ground does not affect its composition, the surrounding biodiversity, and the lives of other organisms. For example, the build-up of acidity through improper manure management can destroy life underground.
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Natural and organic European dairy is guaranteed to abide by the strict guidelines for organic farming/production as mandated by the European Union.
Organic farming you can trust
Organic milk and dairy are naturally priced higher compared to their conventional counterparts. From utilizing a larger plot of land to house their cattle to sourcing higher quality feeds and fertilizer—the organic approach is a premium with its respective additional costs. However, for the sake of consumer trust and brand integrity, all farms must be certified before they can market their products as organic. According to the European Union, “Once they have been checked and found compliant, they receive a certificate confirming that they meet the EU requirements.”
Additionally, the EU organic logo is also used on products that have been certified as organic. This means that they have fulfilled strict conditions on how they are produced, transported, and stored. Look out for the EU organic logo on your next grocery run for the best-quality European organic milk and dairy products.
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union or the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
For more information on organic European dairy and nutritious recipes you can follow, check out Organic Dairy PH on Instagram and Facebook.
