My personal reasons for going dairy-free and why you may benefit from eliminating dairy in your diet as well!

As a single mom cooking for 1 1/2 people and running two businesses eating well and prioritizing my health and movement has been easier said than done.

Whether I was cooking mac and cheese + chicken nuggets for the kiddo and just eating what he ate ,(or eating what he didn’t eat), staying in with a pint of ice cream, or winding down the night with a couple of glasses of wine. I haven’t always put myself first in the way I knew I should, despite being a Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach and Whole Food Caterer for small events and retreats. I have definitely had my struggles with food.

Ultimately, I realized that I look to food to sustain my health, my happiness, connection, and my livelihood. I found that having a better understanding of what I put in my body ultimately helped me form a better relationship with my health — and food in general.

Which is how I decided to give up dairy.

The typical reaction when someone is told to eliminate something from their diet— something they love— is often disappointment and denial. Our food habits are so engrained and reforming those habits can be challenging. But the way we handle that challenge is what helps us develop. We not only become stronger in our thoughts (mind), but also our bodies.

I have gone in and out of elimination diets and some habits have stuck over the years, and others haven’t. However, giving up dairy has almost always (I’m not perfect) stuck with me.

Was it hard? Well, it required some trial and error, but it wasn’t nearly as difficult as you might expect.

Was it worth it? Absolutely.

I’ve seen significant changes in my skin, hair, digestion, mood, overall energy and even a little in my weight.

Here are five key reasons I decided to switch to a dairy-free diet. And if you are interested in making the switch yourself, I can help you do that!

5 Reasons I Went Dairy-Free

1. THYROID

I’ve been struggling to balance my hypo-thyroid condition since I was 19. So anything to help in this area is awesome! Dairy products are mucus-forming and the protein in dairy has been found to increase inflammation in vital parts of the body such as the thyroid gland and digestive tract.

Since cutting dairy, I’ve noticed improvements in my metabolism and energy levels—which can both be linked to thyroid health. I also drink fresh-squeezed celery juicy a few times per week on an empty stomach to help alkalize my body and as a preventative measure for thyroid issues.

2. DIGESTION

My digestion became much more consistent — no more bloating or cranky gut issues. Less gas (thank goodness)! When your body can’t break down lactose, gas and bloating are often the result. If you consume too much lactose, it can inflame your large intestine and diarrhea can develop.

Coach Tip: Don’t buy ultra-high-temperature pasteurized milk that never goes bad. That’s not natural and probably not something you want to put into your body. Just a thought.

3. WEIGHT LOSS

Eliminating diary can help with weight loss. Milk, plain yogurt, and other unsweetened dairy products contain lactose, a natural sugar, while other dairy products may contain added sugar. If you are trying to lose stubborn belly fat, eliminating sugar can really help. While weight loss wasn’t a personal health goal for me, I notice a difference in the number on the scale.

4. CANDIDA

Dairy is among the foods to avoid if you have or you are at risk for candida overgrowth. Dairy has been shown to cause inflammation, which may promote the growth of unhealthy gut bacteria linked to some chronic diseases or conditions including leaky gut. The milk we consume is pasteurized and homogenized, and synthetic vitamins are typically added. These unnatural additives can cause yeast overgrowth linked to candida. Inflammation-causing foods like dairy — when they cause problems in the digestive tract can lead to diarrhea, headaches, and fatigue.

5. ACNE

Even though I haven’t struggled with acne personally, many of my clients have. And since being dairy-free, I have had multiple clients share with me that their skin has never been clearer. Why?

Acne is an inflammatory condition. Oil gets trapped in pores, causing bacteria to grow in the follicles. It then causes inflammation, which turns to acne. Dairy is a major cause of oils in the body and helps inflammation grow. Many factors can aggravate acne—dairy isn’t always the cause. Experimenting with diet is worth a try and a trip to the dermatologies can also help rule out more serious issues. =

These are my reasons for going dairy free! If you have ever wondered about it, try it out! Share with us your experience at @milkandhoneywellness!

GET EVEN HEALTHIER!

Are you curious about how to harmonize your health goals? How to fit wellness into your busy schedule? Let’s talk! Schedule an initial coaching session with me today – or pass this offer on to someone you care about!
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