Cutting dairy from diet? Your thoughts...

JustinOliver77

I have changed my diet quite a bit since starting this big change in my life, and I am always researching new ways to improve and get better results. A friend of mine who I respect recommended I cut out dairy all together. I have cut out cheese, but I still continue with non-fat milk. She suggested I try almond milk, because I really like my milk and don't want to give it up. She said if I cut out all dairy I should see a big drop in my weight. I was curious on your thoughts and experiences....

cutie2b

bump...I am curious about this too.

MsWhiteParks

I have had to cut out dairy as I am breastfeeding and my daughter has an intolerance to animal protiens! I can't say that I have noticed a change in my weight loss unfortunately! I just crave cheese and milk! :-( lol x

smb0701

i just recently decided to cut out cheese and milk myself, and i only are fat free cheese and skim milk. i did make the switch to almond milk and i am glad i did,i love it!!!!. but it is still too early to notice any change in weight due to that though.

kissoffools

Man, I'm not sure I could cut out dairy completely. I eat the low/nonfat stuff, but I don't think I could make the switch to non-dairy substitutes. I *know* I would never be able to sustain that lifestyle, but kudos to those that can and have found it helpful!

Debbe2

A nutritionist told me to consider cheese a condiment (instead of a protein) in terms of weight loss. Use it but don't abuse it because it's calorie dense.

I also use Almond Milk and like it. But I still eat dairy just more aware of calories from cheese as I lose.

Dave198lbs

losing weight requires a caloric deficit. whether your calories are from dairy products or not does not matter. If cutting dairy from your diet results in a new caloric deficit, you wil lose weight. If you take in other type calories to replace the dairy, you wont see a change. Your body gets benefits from the fat., so switching to nonfat dairy isnt always a benefit.

Ashley06118

This is strictly my opinion, so don't take it too seriously. In my experience, trying to deprive myself of too much triggers a binge. I love milk and it's a good source of essential vitamins so I chose to switch to 1% or skim instead. The numbers are still dropping due to the switch and I still feel as though I am not being cheated out of normal foods or drinks. If you can do it great, but I'll be sticking to my low fat milk and cheese.

sineadangele1

chocolate almond milk tastes disgusting. just sayin lol but seriously, i eat a lot of dairy and have eaten a lot of dairy during my whole weight loss journey and it hasn't hindered me in any way. i crave dairy all the time. it has always been my favorite food group lol.

koosdel

Cutting out a few calories will cause a drop in weight. Cutting out dairy wont really do anything other than remove a healthy source of fats and protein.

DakotaKeogh

Your friend is spot on. I cut dairy and weight started dropping off fast. I use Almond milk, unsweetened. The vanilla unsweetened helps with cereals that you would ordinarily add a sweetener to. Lisanatti and Galaxy Nutrition make decent cheese substitutes from soy, rice and almond. Almond is my preference. It was a transition for sure. Like flipping from regular to diet soda. But I don't miss dairy at all. I miss the fat even less.

HonkyTonks

losing weight requires a caloric deficit. whether your calories are from dairy products or not does not matter. If cutting dairy from your diet results in a new caloric deficit, you wil lose weight. If you take in other type calories to replace the dairy, you wont see a change. Your body gets benefits from the fat., so switching to nonfat dairy isnt always a benefit.

I agree with this. The deficit is what matters - I don't agree with cutting entire food groups out as a way to lose weight. As long as you keep your eye on input vs output and eating a balanced nutrient rich diet you will lose weight. I can see why people might say cut dairy, as a lot of it is high calorie, but if you're calorie counting it shouldn't be an issue.

Contrarian

Those cows need jobs!

AdeanaClaire

I've became vegan and I don't think you would see a huge difference in terms of weightloss but personally I feel a lot better inside. Dairy always made me feel really sluggish. The only dairy I ever ate was greek yogurt and skim milk, I changed to almong milk (which is really good in smoothies) and it dosen't weigh me down as much. Plus you can expirament with different types of DF milk for whatever purpose you want, some a creamier etc. I think most dairy and non dairy products are pretty much the same calorie wise. I think its more about the effects on your body and how you feel

songbyrdsweet

I love my dairy. Plenty of calcium and protein.

PANZERIA

Unless you are lactose intolerant, do NOT, for the love of all that is good cut dairy from your diet. You NEED the calcium and the fat. Milk is the best workout recovery drink there is.

I'm going to be very blunt with this - it's STUPID to not drink milk. Your bones and your body need it. Plus the protein is awesome.

AdeanaClaire

You can get protien and calcium from nuts, legumes etc. But its definitely a personal choice, do whatever you think is best for your body And I think almond milk has the same calcium as dairy milk but not as much protien....... I think.

DannyMussels

Those cows need jobs!

They already serve tables at my restaurant.

yummy♥

i use, and like, almond milk for my shakes. coconut milk is okay, too.
but i will never give up full fat, animal-milk based, totally delicious cheese.

Contrarian

Those cows need jobs!

They already serve tables at my restaurant.

*rimshot*

JustinOliver77

Well, the reason it was recommended to cut dairy wasn't necessarily for the calories. It was more for the fact of what it does to our body. She says that our bodies are not made to handle dairy, and that the majority of the world can not digest lactose well and don't even know it (I actually did read about that fact in college). So by consuming milk that is from a cow, our body has to work in ways its not suppose to in order to digest the dairy, and that takes away from other functions of our body. It also causes us to bog down. She says that just by cutting dairy you will feel a hell of a lot better.

taso42

Unless you are allergic, I don't see the point. That goes for anything, not just dairy.

kouzzzz

I cut most dairy out in my diet. I only have butter.

karleen

it wont hurt to try for a month thats for sure! i was a vegetarian for a long long time but found cutting dairy realllllly hard. im considering now going vegan for health reasons.. cutting out dairy would def help me lose weight because it would stop me from eating my favorites, pizza and ice cream! nd cheese! i love diary. haha

Pepper2185

I don't eat dairy.

Since I have cut it out, I feel way better, have lost more weight, and don't have any tummy bloat.

akninsas

The only time you need to cut out milk is if your body is allergic to it. If you're not showing signs of being allergic, then you dont need to cut it out. Milk has vitamins, protein, & calcium that your body needs. Just stick to skim/fat free milk.

Sp1nGoddess

Some people also claim that dairy causes or worsens seasonal allergies and acne. I tried to give up dairy but I really love cheese - I love trying new ones! I agree with the previous poster - cheese should be a condiment, if you look at the macro nutrients cheese is essentially a fat. However, you could do an experiment and get rid of the dairy for 2 weeks and see what happens, then if you want add it back and see how you feel. I plan to try that myself!

As far as calcium goes, there is calcium in dark leafy greens, broccoli and in bone broths, sardines.

http://www.healthhabits.ca/2011/11/04/top-13-non-dairy-calcium-rich-foods/

Runner_mick

I eat a vegan diet as well. At first, It was difficult to make the switch from milk to soy or almond milk but I love it now. I think they taste great. Try Vanilla flavored. And Silk Soy chocolate milk is so good! Giving up animal products from my diet has made me feel 100 percent better. I have more energy and love the way my body is responding to it.

cmhickey616

I also recently became vegan after researching the effects of milk/dairy on the body and I definitely feel about 100x times better than I did when I ate dairy and meat. Dairy products also contain casein, a protein that breaks down into casomorphin, a naturally occurring opiate. This essentially causes us to be addicted to dairy (why I had cheese cravings hardcore for my first 3 weeks as a vegan). Cutting out dairy is not for everyone, but I can say from personal experience that I feel better and it has helped jump start my weight loss.

RonSwanson66

Well, the reason it was recommended to cut dairy wasn't necessarily for the calories. It was more for the fact of what it does to our body. She says that our bodies are not made to handle dairy, and that the majority of the world can not digest lactose well and don't even know it (I actually did read about that fact in college).

Technically true, but misleading. Asians make up about 2/3 of the world population, and have a 95% incidence of lactose intolerance.

Of the United States population, only around 10-15% are lactose intolerant.

RonSwanson66

I also recently became vegan after researching the effects of milk/dairy on the body and I definitely feel about 100x times better than I did when I ate dairy and meat. Dairy products also contain casein, a protein that breaks down into casomorphin, a naturally occurring opiate. This essentially causes us to be addicted to dairy (why I had cheese cravings hardcore for my first 3 weeks as a vegan).

Complete and utter bull****.