If you’re wondering why you you shouldn’t eat dairy, here are the top reasons to avoid dairy and milk products altogether.
When I removed dairy from my diet and decided to go vegan instead, it made the biggest difference in how I felt. At twenty my joints hurt, and my knees, in particular, were so stiff some days that it hurt to sit and stand.
My digestion was sluggish, and my body felt ‘slow’. In my twenties. That’s pretty darn young to feel slow and uncomfortable.
When I got dairy out of my diet, I felt profoundly better.
It didn’t happen overnight for me, because some things were hard to ‘ditch’ (like cheese). As you will soon see, I later learned that was because of the highly addictive quality of cheese. But, once the dairy products were gone for good… my body felt renewed.
13 Reasons to Avoid Dairy and Milk Products
I talk about dairy far more than any other animal ‘food’. We consume so much of it without even realizing, and unlike meat products which we know we should reduce or eliminate… most of us truly believe that dairy is good for us. I want to change that.
I created these list of reasons to avoid dairy to show you that it’s more than just a personal preference. There are very concerning reasons that affect your overall health.
13. Dairy Alternatives
There have never been better dairy alternatives on the market.
I became vegan almost 20 years ago. Our alternatives for non-dairy milk were: bad-tasting soy milk and bad-tasting rice milk. That was it.
Vegan cheeses? Forget it! Vegan ice creams?
Uh, if you want to call a rice-based icy concoction with a weird oily aftertaste ‘ice cream’, I guess it counts – I just never ate it.
And, that was a big deal for this ice-cream-loving vegan!
Now?
You are spoiled, people! 😉 Have a look at just some of the dairy-free options available:
Milk: Coconut milk from So Delicious and Silk, almond milk from So Delicious and Almond Breeze, soy milk, rice milk, hemp milk, flax milk, oat milk, and blended milk like almond coconut.
Really—there isn’t ONE option in all of these that is at least as good as—or better than—cow milk?
Cheeses: Daiya shreds and Daiya wedges probably earn top spot here for commercial cheeses. But, there are many more recipes available too.
Try my two vegan parmesan alternatives, my ‘Truffled Cashew Cheese’ (pictured below, from LTEV, and recipe coming soon). And, have you seen Miyoko Schinner’s new Artisan Vegan Cheese cookbook? WOW!
Yogurts: Coconut yogurts and greek yogurts, Organic Soy, Almond.
Ice Creams: Oh, you guys are lucky! Coconut ice creams from Coconut Bliss (my FAVE!) and So Delicious, Rice ice creams by Good Karma, soy ice creams, and then many nut and seed based ice creams like almond creams, hemp, and cashew. Or, make your own with my “Dreena Dazs” recipes!
Seriously, I haven’t even exhausted all the brands and options here – we are lucky to have so many delicious options – no excuses.
12. Cancer Prevention
Prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers have been linked to dairy consumption. And, if you’ve read The China Study, you’re aware of the link between casein (the main protein in milk) and cancer. If not, READ it!
Dr. T. Colin Campbell, professor emeritus of nutritional biochemistry at Cornell University and author of The China Study, says casein is one of the most significant cancer promoters ever discovered.
Think about how often children are pushed to eat milk, yogurt, and cheese. Childhood diets rich in dairy products are associated with cancer in adulthood.
For more, watch this video from Dr. Colin Campbell.
11. Cheese is addictive
That’s why it’s so darn hard to stop eating the stuff. But, as you’ll learn in Julieanna’s brief video (and through this list), it’s best to kick the cheese (and dairy) habit.
10. Osteoporosis
Seems counterintuitive. We’re supposed to drink milk to protect against osteoporosis, right? So why do the countries that guzzle the most dairy have the highest osteoporosis rates? We now know that it’s not just calcium intake, but absorption and loss.
When we eat diets high in animal protein (milk included), our bodies become acidic and calcium is drawn from our bones to neutralize that acidic environment – cheese is particularly acidic.
Ditch the dairy (and the meat) to help maintain a more alkaline state in your body.
9. Plant-Based Calcium
Last year, the “Healthy Eating Plate” food guide pushed dairy off the plate, based on Harvard’s assessment that high intake can increase the risk of prostate cancer and possibly ovarian cancer, and also suggesting that foods like collards, bok choy, and baked beans are safer choices than dairy for obtaining calcium.
Speaking of calcium sources and absorption, did you know that kale contains more calcium per calorie than milk (90 grams per serving) and is also better absorbed by the body than dairy?
And that’s just ONE plant food you can eat. Other plant-foods boosting calcium include: beans, nuts like almonds and seeds like sesame, broccoli, collards, whole-grains, and tofu. (And if you think eating leafy greens is hard, I have a leafy-greens post coming up, stay tuned!)
8. Heart Disease
All that cheese and milk (and other dairy products) pack a wallop of cholesterol and saturated fat to one’s diet. A low-fat plant-based diet has been shown not only to prevent heart disease, but also reverse it.
And, before you think low-fat dairy is okay, it has been linked not only to increases in allergies, but also type 1 (childhood-onset) diabetes.
7. Constipation
Milk and cheese have no fiber. Neither does meat.
Dairy is constipating for children. Our children have never been constipated, yet I have heard parents talk about poo problems over and over.
And, grownups, if the kiddos get constipated from dairy, you will too (maybe you are right now).
There’s no need for laxatives. Eat a plant-based diet (rich in whole foods), and you’ll poop easy. There, I said it.
6. Milk Stinks
Okay, there is nothing scientifically or even ethically sound about this argument. But, have you ever just smelled milk? Put aside the fact that you’ve been drinking it since your wee years.
Take a glass and smell it. It has a stink.
I guarantee that if you grew up drinking almond or coconut milk and you tasted COW milk, you would immediately say “peeU”!
It is what we are conditioned to drink, and cow milk is – well – stinky… and, that’s even before it goes sour.
5. Antibiotics and Hormones
The mass production of milk requires cows being stressed to unnatural levels. This stress results in mastitis in the cows, which requires antibiotics, which make their way into the milk in our markets.
Do you want to drink growth hormones and antibiotics? Do you want your children to? You may bypass this one point by choosing organic milk products – but that doesn’t change the composition of milk…
4. Saturated Fats, Cholesterol, and Hormones
Skim milk is marketed for lower fat content, yet a 2011 Harvard study of 12,829 children showed that the milk sugar in skim milk may make you fatter than whole milk.
And, all milk products (as with ALL animal products) contain cholesterol. And, we have been sold the line that “organic” milk is the solution.
But as explained in The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
“Just because you pay more for the ‘organic’ label doesn’t mean you’re getting a safe, toin-free product. Milk products are inundated with steroids and hormones (both naturally occurring and production-induced… and microbiological contaminants (think bacteria, viruses, parasites and mycotoxins) can also find their way into your dairy products.“
3. Animal cruelty
Dairy production might be the most offensive and heinous of all animal farming. Baby calves are pulled from their mothers at birth. Mother cows will bellow and search after being separated from their young. While female calves are slaughtered or kept alive to produce milk, male calves are taken, chained in tiny stalls and raised for veal.
And, since is unprofitable to keep dairy cows alive once their milk production declines, they are usually killed at 5 to 6 years of age (though their normal life span exceeds 20).
2. Lactose Intolerance
I would guess that if any of us were tested, we would be deemed ‘lactose intolerant. It is estimated that about 75 percent of the world’s population are ‘lactose intolerant’, and those that aren’t (primarily Caucasians) tolerate milk sugar because of an inherited genetic mutation. That’s because the milk is meant for cows, not people…
1. Dairy Products Come from Cows
Why are we all drinking milk from a cow when we wouldn’t drink the milk from our lactating dog or cat… or milk from a horse, pig, or raccoon?!
We are the ONLY species that drinks the milk of another species, consuming it long after weaning. Would you go out into a field and suckle from a cow?! I don’t think so. Think about that connection. Just think about it.
As you can see, there are many health reasons to avoid dairy. I know it’s not easy to make a lifestyle change like this but I promise you that it’s worth it!
Have you already given up dairy? If so, what have you noticed? What were your reasons to avoid dairy?
Kim says
Gave up dairy from the advice of my Vegan Sister-in-law she has been vegan for about 20yrs as well. I have Rheumatoid arthritis and every time I chatted with Dawn she would tell me to get off the dairy. Of course resisted until last year at this time when my Dad passed away in Calgary. When I was there Dawn did all the cooking so of course it was all delish Vegan food and guess what I hardly had any pain. So when I got home I decided thats it no dairy…I can’t seem to get rid of the cream for my coffee though but that is a whole different thing I shouldn’t have loll. When we went back to Calgary to do the house clearout thing she cooked again and again the feeling of no pain was amazing. So I have been adding more Vegan meals in to our weekly menu and I feel so much better again with that change. I’m so glad I found your recipes as it will add yet another dimension to our diet. As of today I am down 10lbs my blood pressure is down and my Rheumatologist said “What ever you are doing…keep doing it” So I thank my sister-in-law and people like you who post such wonderful alternatives. Thank you
Dreena says
Kim, that is pretty powerful. My mother lives away, and when she comes to visit she goes back home feeling better as well and having dropped some weight. I know it’s difficult when you return to regular routines and groups of friends and family and all the regular ‘dairy influences’ are there — yet I sure hope you continue with these changes now that you know firsthand how much better you can feel. 🙂 Wishing you the best, and thanks for your kind words.
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family says
Cheese is indeed so tough. For me I could do without it, but getting my family off of it is proving to be a bit more difficult.
They are astute enough to know the difference in Daiya and cheddar so I haven’t been able to go that route.
I feel a little hopeless in this…hopefully time will win them over.
That last picture is by far my favorite and quite powerful. Thanks so much for taking the time to compose this list of 13 reasons 🙂
JacQueline says
Hello, Dreena! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful information!
I don’t have any health issues but I am conscious of our planet and everything in it (People, Places, Things including Animals, etc) and want to live optimally for as long as possible, as healthy & happy as possible.
I do want to eat better and stop poisoning my body with all the things the Food Industrial Complex injects and sprays onto everything we ingest. But I am a mere baby in this whole quest. I have never been a vegetarian, etc but, interestingly enough, I have always naturally leaned vegetarian and truly want to start the process of eating the best I can. And I want to start with eliminating Dairy.
I have been drinking Skim Milk erroneously believing that I was at least choosing a better option (until I read your article above and what you wrote on the sugars in it). And I DO LOVE CHEESE! I just bought 2 blocks of it today. And some “healthy” frozen pizza & lasagna (both with cheese, of course). But I just told my boyfriend that after they are done, i’m going to give it a go at being DONE WITH DAIRY! It’s a good thing he’s also into being as healthy as possible & will do it with me (the buddy system always makes it easier).
I will subscribe, find you on FB, Twitter, where ever you are sharing wonderful info and I am DEFINITELY sharing this article on my Facebook Wall RIGHT NOW!!
I wish you the best health & please wish me the best with being DONE WITH DAIRY! 🙂
JacQueline
Dreena says
JacQueline, thank you for considering making this change. That is the first step, just questioning and being open. And, it is all about steps – even baby steps! 🙂 Yes, the marketing for skim milk has convinced people that it is health food. And, not surprising you love cheese – the majority of people I have communicated with over the years have said “cheese was the hardest to stop eating”… or “but I could never give up cheese”… and that’s because of the casein. So, I thank you first for considering this and talking about it with your luvvy (because support is VERY important), and secondly, I am cheering you on – you can DO this!
Also, thank you for sharing the information on facebook, getting the information “out” is half the challenge!
And, on you go… say buh-bye to the nasty stuff!! 😉
Mr P says
I gave up dairy about two months ago as an experiment; I’d heard that it would ease arthritis and I was starting to get pains in my hip. After an expensive week-long trial of every milk alternative I could find, I settled on a 50/50 mix of soya and a coconut milk based product.
I’ve been making some drastic changes to my diet and lifestyle over the last 6 months, but in the last few weeks I’ve noticed:
My weight loss has speeded up, my stomach is more settled, my throat is clearer and I have gained maybe half an octave at the lower end of my vocal range.
I didn’t like any of the plant milks with both tea and coffee, but found that a small amount of plant milk with hot water was a very pleasing and comforting drink, so I’ve given up tea and coffee too, and sleep better as a result.
On the one occasion that I tried a tiny piece of cheese, my throat went into overdrive producing mucus and I spent the rest of the evening coughing and gurgling, trying to clear my throat. Touch wood, no sign of my long term problems with labyrinthitis since dumping the dairy, either. Definitely plan to stay off it permanently.
Oh… and the pains in the hip have gone, too!
Dreena says
Thanks for sharing this story. I’m so pleased you have had these health improvements in a short time. I remember having throat issues, always an ‘itchy’ throat, and much mucous with colds, etc. And, yes, sometimes it takes some sampling to find the non-dairy milks that you like best. Even with a type (ex: almond), there is much variance between brands, so don’t give up on a type of milk per se, maybe try another brand too. Best to you in continued good health!
Mr P says
Thanks Dreena. Not quite 100% plant-based dietvery close and it seems to suit me very well (I never was much of a meat eater, but have always struggled with a cheese addiction that, in my 20’s, put my cholesterol level off the scale). Since starting the transition at the end of July, I’ve dropped 50 lbs to 144
Mr P says
… and hope to stabilise between 135 and 140 – smack in the middle of the normal BMI range for my height.
I’ve been walking up to 50 miles a week and plan to run my first 5K soon. As I have a very sedentary job I’ve taken to standing up in the evenings. I generally pace back and forward, step from side to side, do squats or jog on the spot. I no longer fall asleep in the evening so sleep better at night, I’ve burned off a few calories, improved my mobility and, since moving around keeps me warm, I’ve cut my heating bills too!
At 55 I’m feeling fitter than at any time since my early teens!
Dreena says
Well, you are not alone with the cheese – that’s why the video is in this post, it has been proven to be addictive! Your progress and weight loss are remarkable – hearty congrats. That’s a very significant weight loss since July, and you are doing it through true, real lifestyle change. Wonderful… you have taken back your life!
Stacy says
I gave up dairy about 8 months ago and within a couple weeks my sinus issues that I have been plagued with for over 30 years disappeared. No more chronic sinus infections or endless boxes of tissues or heavy mouth breathing. I am also happy to report that I no longer saw logs when I sleep (my husband is thrilled!) I wish I had done this 10 years ago, who knew??