{This post was sponsored by a2 Milk® as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review}
My mom doesn’t have to share stories of my discomfort and milk intolerance as a baby for me to understand that I can’t drink milk. I live it every single time I have a latte or a chai or my favorite gelato. Unfortunately, the milk intolerance gene doesn’t fall far from the tree, since my son shares my anguish. And yet despite the innovations of nut milks and milk-alternatives, we all still really love milk and have yet to find a substitute that offers the same flavor and palate-satisfying experience of milk.
This experience of discomfort with milk consumption is common, and studies have shown that 1 in 4 Americans may be affected. However, like myself, who has never visited a physician to get an accurate diagnosis, only 3-4% of the population has been clinically diagnosed with lactose intolerance. While pills and chemically processed alternatives like Lactaid exist, up until recently, families like ours have not had many options for dairy-based milks that won’t cause discomfort.
a2 Milk, which recently launched in grocery stores nationwide, is a game changer for those who suffer with Post-Dairy Digestive Discomfort or believe they are lactose intolerant based on a history of symptoms. The cows milk you see in-stores (both organic and conventional) contains two different proteins, A1 and A2. A2 protein, also known as casein, has always been present in cow’s milk. But over time a variant (A1 protein) emerged and the incidence of lactose intolerance increased.
a2 Milk differs from the milk you see in-stores in that it is free from the A1 protein. Many of the herds that are naturally producing milk free from the A1 protein are located in upstate New York and the Midwest where farmers are raising cows humanely without rBST (hormones) or antibiotics and fed a vegetarian diet. Additionally a2 Milk is pure farm fresh milk as opposed to chemically processed alternatives and is free from artificial ingredients or additives.
Intrigued, I picked up the 2% variety of a2 Milk for our family to try. I used it in my lattes and cereal and surprisingly had no discomfort. Apart from the carton, I was not able to distinguish a difference in flavor from conventional milk. But the true test would be my kids. My son, in particular, has become very accustomed to drinking almond and cashew milk and the difference in color (since A1 milk looks just like conventional milk) had him concerned I had made a mistake. Since I’m all about transparency, I told him exactly what it was and how this could mean the end of nut milks. The verdict was that he loved it. But even more importantly, he didn’t experience the gastric discomfort that had become so burdensome, it was affecting his quality of life, including his growth and weight gain as a baby.
For the next few months, I’ll be sharing more about a2 Milk as part of their ambassador program. If you suffer from lactose intolerance or Post-Dairy Digestive Discomfort, I encourage you to join the conversation below and welcome any questions you have.
a2 Milk is currently available for $4.49 at Sprouts, The Fresh Market, Whole Foods Mid-Atlantic, and throughout California including Whole Foods, Ralph’s, Sprouts, and Gelson’s. Varieties include Whole Milk, 2%, 1%, and Fat-Free. To find a store location near you, visit a2milk.com.
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