To many, the idea of eliminating dairy from their diet seems an impossible request. We love our dairy....we love our cheese! Many of us won't give it up without a fight, but once we do..we see clearly why dairy is just for baby cows!
Dairy is a very common allergen for many individuals. We do not make the lactase enzyme along our gastrointestinal tracts after childhood, and so many people experience gas, bloating, increased mucous production, indigestion, weight gain, fatigue, headaches, seasonal allergies , inflammatory conditions like arthritis and some autoimmune disorders from continued consumption into adulthood. Continuing research also shows links between dairy consumption and heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, prostate and breast cancers.
Dairy includes milk, cheese, half and half, cream, cottage cheese, yogurt, sour cream, butter, and ice cream. Hidden sources include casein, whey, rennet, lactulose, lactalbumin, lactglobulin, and curd. Furthermore, dairy products such as "milk solids" are very widely used as an additive for numerous types of products. Whether these products need to be avoided depends on the reason for the dairy-free diet. Some products that often contain milk solids or other dairy items include: Breads, margarine, muesli bars, processed meats, soy cheese.
Milk Alternatives: Oat milk, Rice Milk, Hemp Milk, and Almond Milk. Soy milk is not recommended for everyone (ask your doctor if it is a good alternative for you).
Take the Dairy-Free Challenge and see for yourself what it can do for you and your health!
Lakeshore Wellness Center: Naturopathic Holistic Medicine and Acupuncture in Chicago.
http://www.lakeshorewellnesscenter.com
http://www.rxacupuncture.com
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Susan, I appreciate your post and information. I think my lactose intolerance was partly due to being treated for acne with anti-biotics (for 10 years!). Hooray for soy-based products (like IMO) and Lactaid !
September 23, 2009 - 7:18amThis Comment
Dairy is a bane for those of us not blessed with the enzyme. (Thank God for Lactaid) I think healthy diet recommendations should include calcium sources with dairy listed as an option or as part of Fats and Oils. Afterall, dairy has NOT been in diets of ALL peoples for as long as one reader indicates, has it? Weren't we hunter-gatherers first? Also, why isn't lactose intolerance a more common diagnosis? I think too many doctors misdiagnose lactose intolerance symptoms as stress and IBS. It's too bad that getting a dairy-free meal is such an oddity in this country. Soy Latte anyone? Thanks for listening, Linda (lslassiter)
July 17, 2009 - 12:48pmThis Comment
Anon, are you serious about the milk coating?? Disqusting!!!! I haven't (knowingly) had dairy of an kind since I was about 18 years old. I am in my thirties now. I have always found it repulsive to say the least. My mother said that I completely rejected bottle milk at 18 months of age and wouldn't touch it after that! I was past weaning, I guess.
July 15, 2009 - 11:17amIt is difficult, indeed, to always be label reading and paranoid about injesting any dairy but I manage it.
I am super healthy. I don't eat meat either. I do like occasional seafood but am getting closer and closer to vegan and even raw vegan living.
For me, not only do I dislike the taste, texture and smell of dairy products, but I am also psychologically repulsed by it for some strange reason. I could not sit next to someone who was drinking a big glass of milk, for example or eat a salad on which a single drop of milk had fallen! LOL!
This Comment
A troublesome thing is that lots of foods have hidden milk ingredients - e.g. McDonald's fries have milk in their coating. It took me a long time to realize what was effecting me when I would go their in my late teens.
July 15, 2009 - 8:55amThis Comment
I agree with this--I do not have a problem going without dairy, especially milk. Gah, it tastes soo bad to me.
When I was a kid people always said "drink your milk, it will make you grow" I have never had a glass of milk at night or for breakfast and I am 5'7" and healthy.
The only thing is that eliminating it completely is seemingly impossible for the majority of people-- cows milk is in lots of foods and it takes a lot of effort to cut out entirely--especially when you have a family or husband who are used to the consumption of dairy.
It is very much possible, but only realistic for the percentage of the population who are either lactose intolerant or have been raised this way.
July 15, 2009 - 5:12amThis Comment