Milk's Not the Worst Thing Your Teenager Can Do

How bad has the anti-milk and milk is poison campaigns gotten? Parents are now going to doctors worried sick because their healthy children are *gasp* drinking milk.

You're going to think I'm making this up, so I have to quote this letter to the doctor column of the major UK newspaper, The Guardian.

Since my 15-year-old son was born, he has been a great milk drinker. Now, at 6ft tall, healthy, active and without an ounce of fat on him, he drinks between 12 and 16 pints of milk a week, and we're a little worried about the possible long-term effects. He is of mixed Indian/English background – I say this because I know that lactose intolerance can be a problem for Asians, having experienced it first hand. What can we advise him?

What a horrible tragedy! He's fit, fat-free, 6ft tall. He's practically superhuman. Let's stop this madness!

Fortunately, Dr. Tom Clark doesn't see the need to panic. In fact, he says, calmly, "There are a whole lot worse teenage habits to have than drinking a lot of milk."


I can't help but be reminded of PETA's horrifying - and failed - "Got Beer" campaign. Back in 2000, they seriously tried to make the claim. "The campaign compares the nutritional and moral benefits of beer vs. milk, and says beer comes out on top."

Honestly, milk is better for your 15-year-old child than beer. As long as he's fit and doesn't start showing lactose intolerance symptoms, then he's just fine. Maybe he'll become a doctor, even, giving more good medical advice.