Milk! Cheese! Butter! Dairy galore! Everyone enjoys a cheesy pizza or a nice cup of milk. But, at what cost? Many experience bloating, gut discomfort, and weight gain after indulging in their favorite junk foods. Along with that, it has been speculated to worsen skin conditions and lower energy levels. So, should we consume copious amounts of dairy in our diet? Or is it harming more than helping?
Many dieticians have stated that the key to a happy you is a healthy and balanced diet. But it is possible and can be good for you, to cut out dairy from your diet—especially if you experience symptoms of lactose intolerance.
So, what are the effects of keeping a non-dairy diet on your body?
1. Weight Loss
Sticking to this diet can help you lose weight because it may lead you to stop eating unhealthy, high-calorie comfort foods like pizza, grilled cheese, quesadillas, and mozzarella sticks. Many people start skipping dairy because it has been cited by many celebrities, most notably Khloe Kardashian, in aiding their weight loss journey.
2. May Decrease Bloating
Plenty of people experience the extremely uncomfortable feeling of bloating after consuming a delectable cheesy pizza or a comforting bowl of ice cream. This can be because they lack the proper amount of the enzyme lactase in their body, which helps break down milk properties in a timely manner. So, if you experience any discomfort after eating a dairy product, it would be best to try cutting some of it out of your diet as you might be lactose intolerant.
3. May Help Solve Skin Issues
It has been speculated by doctors and dieticians alike that a decrease of dairy in a person’s diet can lead to lessened skin issues like acne and rosacea. There is no strong discernable link between the two factors but many celebrities—like Margot Robbie—and dermatologists recommend a decrease of dairy in your diet for better skin.
4. Increased Energy
Many people cite an increased amount of energy after switching to a non-dairy diet. This can be because you are giving up many junk foods that make your body lethargic because of the high amounts of fat, sugar, and carbohydrates found in them when you stick to this diet.
How do you go about this lifestyle change?
1. Take it Slow
Like with any diet change, going cold turkey is not beneficial in any way. Instead, slowly dip into it by cutting out the obvious main sources of dairy in your diet—ice cream, cheese, milk. An easy way to cut out dairy in your daily routine is to use Leaner Creamer’s non-dairy coffee creamer to add a boost to your morning!
2. Find a Balance
Cutting it out 100% can be hard for anyone. So, feel free to cheat here and there when you’re feeling a little bit lazy or you’ve had a rough day. A little dairy won’t kill you!
3. Vitamins!
Without dairy, your daily intake of vitamins like calcium will start to decrease. So, it is imperative that you are diligent about your body’s needs and take vitamin supplements to keep your body at peak performance.
4. Make your Own Meals!
A simple way to ensure that your meals don't contain dairy is to make them yourself! Although this may be more time consuming than ordering food in or going out to eat, anything that you make at home will be healthier than the food you get from a restaurant--which can help you lose weight in the long-run.
Let us know how cutting out dairy has changed your life in the comments below!
