Do you have allergies, eczema, asthma, arthritis, inflammation or acne? Do you feel like you eat healthy and exercise regularly, but still don’t look and feel your best?
Are you ready for a little truth about dairy?
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you’re not alone…and there’s a good chance that dairy is the culprit!
If your meals consistently revolve around dairy you’ll age quicker, experience poor digestion, have more cellulite, and above all, make yourself more susceptible to diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
With a culture that has dairy so engrained in it’s diet, it’s easy to believe all the hype and think that dairy is good for us. It makes sense. After all, when you grow up learning that you need 2-3 servings of dairy from the food pyramid, you’re just trying to follow guidelines for a healthy and balanced diet.
But I can tell you from loads of research and experience that dairy can wreck major havoc on your health. Plus, most mass production dairy farms have a negative impact on animals and the environment.
The good news is that there’s no need to feel like you’re missing out on anything if you decide to give dairy the boot. There are loads of healthy and tasty alternatives on the market – most of which you can easily make at home. Even just a few dairy replacements will have you noticing incredible, positive changes in your body.
Here’s a list of alternatives to common dairy products (and a special free gift for Yoga Today members):
Milk (I recommend making your own milks. It’s easy, cheap and you can be sure that no sweeteners or anything else is added to the milk.)
Almond milk (unsweetened)
Brazil nut milk
Coconut milk
Rice milk
Hemp milk
Oat milk
Cheese
Cashew cheese
Brazil nut cheese
Macadamia nut cheese
Daiya (a tapioca-based cheese)
Yogurt
Coconut yogurt (So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt is a great brand)
Sour Cream / Creamy Dressing
Cashew cream
Cashew sour cream
Oil-free, herb-based dressing
Nut-based dressing
Ice Cream
Coconut ice cream (Coconut Bliss and So Delicious are two great brands)
Rice milk ice cream (Rice Dream)
Frozen fruit ice cream
Just for Yoga Today Readers
I’ve put together a free dairy-free resource kit just for you. Head over to Vixi.com, drop in your email address, and I’ll send you over this special resource kit that includes:
* Answers to the question, “where will I get my calcium?”
* List of plant-based foods high in calcium
* Answers to the question, “where will I get my protein?”
* List of plant-based foods high in protein
* 2 make-your-own nut milk recipes & 1 coconut milk recipe
* Cashew Cream recipe that you can use on just about anything
* 3 of my favorite easy-to-make salad dressing recipes
* 4 delicious dairy-free dessert recipes
Thanks for being curious about your health and have fun trying out new dairy-free ways of eating that won’t leave you missing the real (not so life-enhancing) thing!
Click here to get your free Dairy-Free Resource Kit.
Namaste,
Ashley Pitman
Want to dig a littler deeper? Click here for more information on the Ayurveda lifestyle.
Ashley Pitman is a fresh and authentic voice that brings potent ancient wisdom to the dinner table – as something the entire family can understand, embrace and enjoy. She supports thousands of people in crafting a thriving day-to-day experience that’s in favor of their best work – we’re talkin’ raw foods, ayurveda, cleansing, life-enhancing relationships, yoga, meditation, conscious business, and community. For tons of free valuable content visit her blog or sign up for the free weekly newsletter.
All material provided in this article is for informational and educational purposes only, and in no way is any of the content to be construed as medical advice or instruction from Yoga Today. Consult your physician or a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health and wellbeing.
Thank so much for posting this, great info! We have all been so “brainwashed” by the dairy industry our whole lives, and also made to believe that dairy comes from “happy cows” – anyone that knows even a little bit about the massive dairy industry knows that factory farms supply our milk, not small family farms, and profits are the name of the game not happy cows. Here is some additional useful info: http://www.pcrm.org/health/diets/vegdiets/health-concerns-about-dairy-products
Yes! There’s a lot a great science out there on a dairy negatively effecting health, but at this point we do have to dig a little bit for it. Earthlings and Food Matters are two great documentaries that touch on the animal side of the equation.
YES – I gave up dairy six months ago and my life long eczema is gone and now I have to do dishes. I was wondering why you don’t recommend the soy cheeses that are so much easier to find?
That’s so wonderful that you’re eczema cleared up! There are 5 reasons I don’t recommend any soy other than the fermented kind (like miso, tempeh and natto). 1) The majority of soy in the US is genetically engineered. 2) Soy contains trypsin inhibitors which makes digestion more difficult. 3) Soy depresses our thyroid function. ABC’s 20/20 did an investigative report on soy in June 2000 and provided this research. 4) Soy is filled with phytoestrogens, which can cause hormonal complications. 5) Soy is one of the foods most heavily contaminated with pesticides.
I wonder if you could cite the research referred to as “loads of research.” That would be very helpful. Thanks!
Yes, absolutely! I’d be happy to point you in the right direction….There are a couple incredible documentaries to check out. Earthlings, Food Matters, Forks Over Knives and Hungry for Change are a couple of my favorites. One of my favorite docs, Dr. Frank Lipman, integrative doctor to Donna Karan & Gwyneth Paltrow and one of the leading voices on sustainable wellness, boldly states that there are over 60 hormones in an average glass of milk. He iterates that most people have heard of lactose intolerance, which affects 10 percent of adults. But he also acknowledges another less known problem, which is difficulty digesting casein from cow’s milk. When casein is not properly digested, it gets into your blood, and the immune system reacts, causing inflammation. He writes a ton on this subject. Kris Carr, a cancer survivor and New York Times bestselling author also speaks a lot on the dairy and cancer connection. ABC’s 20/20 did an investigative report on soy in June 2000, which is also good. These are just a few resources and people that make the learning enjoyable and understandable. Hope this helps!
I agree with Katherine. As they say on wikipedia “[citation needed]“. Northern Europeans have been consuming dairy for millenia. A lot of folks should reduce dairy and people who are sensitive or allergic to dairy should cut it out completely, but that’s different than implying it’ll send you to an early grave.
Hey Ryan – thanks for asking for more research. I listed some great docs and books in the post above. Also, one of my favorite docs, Dr. Frank Lipman, integrative doctor to Donna Karan & Gwyneth Paltrow and one of the leading voices on sustainable wellness, boldly states that there are over 60 hormones in an average glass of milk. He iterates that most people have heard of lactose intolerance, which affects 10 percent of adults. But he also acknowledges another less known problem, which is difficulty digesting casein from cow’s milk. When casein is not properly digested, it gets into your blood, and the immune system reacts, causing inflammation. He writes a ton on this subject if you’re interested in learning more.
I am always experiencing coughs, colds, sinusitus, chest problems, excess mucus and lethargy. This means lost time off work , a very patient tired husband becasue snoring is worse when I’ve got a cold. I’ve had loads os anti-biotics and take paracetomol constantly. I will try your recommendations and keep you posted.
Dee