Seems pretty obvious, right? You open the fridge, grab the carton and proceed to pour it over your cereal or into the glass.

Actually, that’s not the best way to drink milk. And it is why so many people feel unwell after drinking milk straight out of the fridge, leading them to the conclusion that they are lactose intolerant. In most cases, it is the way we drink milk, not the milk itself.

Ayurveda is the ancient system of natural health care and it has a lot to say about how to drink milk. According to Ayurveda, cows milk is extremely nourishing and strengthening IF it is prepared in a way that is easy to digest. It is regarded as a perfectly complete food in that it contains all the nutrients we need – particularly for the ongoing development of the brain. When properly prepared, it is the one food that is assimilated by our bodies to the deepest level most quickly.

The main reason why milk can cause congestion and digestive problems is because the heavy elements of the milk are not removed first. The most effective way to remove these is to boil the milk before drinking it (even if it has been pasteurized) as this will make it easier to digest. If we drink milk when it is cold it hits the acid in the stomach and it creates a similar reaction to curdling, leaving us feeling crampy, heavy and uncomfortable.

Here are my top tips for how to drink milk:

– bring milk to a boil before drinking
– stainless steel pans are best for heating milk and never use the microwave
– only drink milk with other sweet tasting foods like cereal, toast or rice
– wait an hour after eating salty foods before drinking milk
– drink milk at least one hour before bedtime to allow enough time for it to digest
– wherever possible opt for organic, whole fat milk
– even better is non homogenized, non pasteurized – however in most places it is not legal to sell this

Here’s a yummy recipe for milk before bedtime:

Add a pinch of ground ginger, cardamom and a little ground black pepper to the milk before boiling.
Add one-third water to the milk.
Bring it to the boil by allowing it to foam and rise up
Then remove it from the heat for a few seconds so it settles back down and then back to the heat, repeating two more times (make sure you keep an eye on it, so it doesn’t boil over!)
Remove from the heat and add a small pinch of turmeric.
Allow the skin to settle and remove before pouring into your mug.
For those wanting even more nourishment, you can add a small teaspoon of ghee and stir well.
Sit down and drink slowly.

This will have you yawning in no time!