Cutting dairy from diet? Your thoughts...

13

Replies

  • alpepp
    alpepp Posts: 55 Member
    I cut dairy (except for small amounts of Greek yogurt and parmesan for cooking)and my rosacea cleared right up. I began eating dairy over Thanksgiving and my face is now completely broken out. So back to no dairy again for me!
  • HisPathDaily
    HisPathDaily Posts: 672 Member
    Ha, you're fun for jumping back in on this, you rock :) ... thought I should probably stop because I think the OP's question was something about dairy ... not munchie-causing muffins ... though it was a fun tangent!
    Oh the muffin addictions are so much worse than the cheese! don't even get me started ;)
    Let's not even go there ... it gives me the chills ...
    My addiction is so strong, I have been known to hijack old ladies for their muffins. Who knows what would happen if I stopped casein cold turkey....!!!
    And then you get the munchies and buy more muffins ... it's a vicious cycle ... *sigh* ...
    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.

    Know what else is an opiate? Poppy seeds.

    No wonder lemon poppyseed muffins are SO ****ING YUMMY!
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    I see. And this Alan Aragon you quote is the all-knowing of nutrition. Someone who, when I do a quick search, I can't find any info about other than his own self-proclamations. Hmmm.

    He's no Dr. Oz or Dr. Phil, that's for sure :laugh:
  • MzBug
    MzBug Posts: 2,173 Member
    I had been told the same thing, so I cut out all dairy from my diet. After about 8 months I started having some digestive issues that seemed to have no rhyme or reason. I talked to my doctor, after multiple tests and medication trials his suggestion was to add a small amount of dairy back in. I added in yogurt first. I did have an immediate reaction. It took about a month for the initial issues to dissipate. I actually started to lose weight once my digestive issues were gone. My 2 cents worth....if you are used to it, have no issues with it, and LIKE it....don't cut it out. Any eatting plan that cuts out entire food groups needs to be looked at closely. You will have to make sure you are getting the same nutritional value from other food sources or supplements.

    There is information available that goes both ways ... for and against ANY dietary habit or lifestyle. You will just have to do some research and make up your own mind. Good Luck!
  • I see. And this Alan Aragon you quote is the all-knowing of nutrition. Someone who, when I do a quick search, I can't find any info about other than his own self-proclamations. Hmmm.

    He's no Dr. Oz or Dr. Phil, that's for sure :laugh:

    Was about to say xD

    Alan Aragon is the all-knowing ;D
  • slrose
    slrose Posts: 164 Member
    i havnt eaten dairy in years and dont miss it a bit
  • deadstarsunburn
    deadstarsunburn Posts: 1,337 Member
    I was vegetarian all my life than switched to vegan about 9 months ago. That's what made me decide to lose weight actually I had noticed I lost ten pounds fairly quickly. It really depends on if you eat too many high calorie dairy products. I never realized it but I ate a TON of cheese.
    =]
  • I wouldn't recommend cutting them out completely, instead, eat them in small proportions. Proportion control is what works for me. :)
  • Huffdogg
    Huffdogg Posts: 1,934 Member
    Unless a physician specifically tells you to do so or you feel an ethical compulsion to do so, I'd not recommend trying to remove dairy from your diet as some kind of "magic bullet" to jump start your weight loss. Kick up your exercise a notch instead IMO.
  • RonSwanson66
    RonSwanson66 Posts: 1,150 Member
    I see. And this Alan Aragon you quote is the all-knowing of nutrition. Someone who, when I do a quick search, I can't find any info about other than his own self-proclamations. Hmmm.

    He's no Dr. Oz or Dr. Phil, that's for sure :laugh:

    Was about to say xD

    Alan Aragon is the all-knowing ;D

    Google "Alan Aragon": 55,100,000 results.

    Google "plagirl227's father" 4 results (3 from MFP).

    Just sayin'
  • maryd523
    maryd523 Posts: 661 Member
    The whole "dairy is good for you and is an essential part of your diet" is a complete scam. Think about it....the dairy industry is very powerful. Milk has calcium, yes. Does your body get to use that calcium? Ummm...no. In fact, dairy makes the situation worse.

    Here you go:




    American women have been consuming an average of two pounds of milk per day for their entire lives, yet thirty million American women have osteoporosis. Drinking milk does not prevent bone loss. Bone loss is accelerated by ingesting too much protein, and milk has been called "liquid meat."

    In order to absorb calcium, the body needs comparable amounts of another mineral element, magnesium. Milk and dairy products contain only small amounts of magnesium. Magnesium is the center atom of chlorophyll:





    "Osteoporosis is caused by a number of things, one of the most important being too much dietary protein."

    Science 1986;233(4763)





    "Countries with the highest rates of osteoporosis, such as the United States, England, and Sweden, consume the most milk. China and Japan, where people eat much less protein and dairy food, have low rates of osteoporosis."

    Nutrition Action Healthletter, June, 1993





    "What appears to be important in bone metabolism is not calcium intake, but calcium balance. The loss of bone integrity among many post menopausal white women probably results from genetics and from diet and lifestyle factors. Research shows that calcium losses are increased by the use of animal protein, salt, caffeine, and tobacco, and by physical inactivity."

    Neal Barnard, M.D., Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine, Understanding Health, December, 1999





    "Dietary protein increases production of acid in the blood which can be neutralized by calcium mobilized from the skeleton."

    American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1995; 61 (4)





    "About 50,000 Americans die each year of problems related in some way to osteoporosis."

    Osteoporosis International 1993;3(3)





    "Even when eating 1,400 mg of calcium daily, one can lose up to 4% of his or her bone mass each year while consuming a high-protein diet."

    American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1979;32(4)





    "Increasing one's protein intake by 100% may cause calcium loss to double."

    Journal of Nutrition, 1981; 111 (3)





    "The average man in the US eats 175% more protein than the recommended daily allowance and the average woman eats 144% more."

    Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health, 1988





    "Calcium intake demonstrated no protective in preventing bone fractures. In fact, those populations with the highest calcium intakes had higher fracture rates than those with more modest calcium intakes."

    Calif Tissue Int 1992;50





    "There is no significant association between teenaged milk consumption and the risk of adult fractures. Data indicate that frequent milk consumption and higher dietary calcium intakes in middle aged women do not provide protection against hip or forearm fractures... women consuming greater amounts of calcium from dairy foods had significantly increased risks of hip fractures, while no increase in fracture risk was observed for the same levels of calcium from nondairy sources."

    12-year Harvard study of 78,000 women American Journal of Public Health 1997;87





    "Consumption of dairy products, particularly at age 20 years, were associated with an increased risk of hip fractures...metabolism of dietary protein causes increased urinary excretion of calcium."

    American Journal of Epidemiology 1994;139
  • gp79
    gp79 Posts: 1,799 Member
    Sounds to me like someone is pushing their preferences on you. When looking at things from a calorie in vs. calorie out standpoint, why would cutting dairy make any difference? Do you not like cheese, milk and all that other delicious dairy stuff?
  • crzyone
    crzyone Posts: 872 Member
    I have cut out cheese because I was addicted to it and I tend to have to go cold turkey on foods or I can't overcome it. So, I don't buy cheese anymore (except Laughing Cow and eat that in limited quanities). I rarely drank milk before so don't drink it now. I do eat cottage cheese though......love it, but have to watch the sodium and calories in it.
  • songbyrdsweet
    songbyrdsweet Posts: 5,691 Member
    The whole "dairy is good for you and is an essential part of your diet" is a complete scam. Think about it....the dairy industry is very powerful. Milk has calcium, yes. Does your body get to use that calcium? Ummm...no. In fact, dairy makes the situation worse.

    Here you go:




    American women have been consuming an average of two pounds of milk per day for their entire lives, yet thirty million American women have osteoporosis. Drinking milk does not prevent bone loss. Bone loss is accelerated by ingesting too much protein, and milk has been called "liquid meat."

    In order to absorb calcium, the body needs comparable amounts of another mineral element, magnesium. Milk and dairy products contain only small amounts of magnesium. Magnesium is the center atom of chlorophyll:





    "Osteoporosis is caused by a number of things, one of the most important being too much dietary protein."

    Science 1986;233(4763)





    "Countries with the highest rates of osteoporosis, such as the United States, England, and Sweden, consume the most milk. China and Japan, where people eat much less protein and dairy food, have low rates of osteoporosis."

    Nutrition Action Healthletter, June, 1993





    "What appears to be important in bone metabolism is not calcium intake, but calcium balance. The loss of bone integrity among many post menopausal white women probably results from genetics and from diet and lifestyle factors. Research shows that calcium losses are increased by the use of animal protein, salt, caffeine, and tobacco, and by physical inactivity."

    Neal Barnard, M.D., Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine, Understanding Health, December, 1999





    "Dietary protein increases production of acid in the blood which can be neutralized by calcium mobilized from the skeleton."

    American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1995; 61 (4)





    "About 50,000 Americans die each year of problems related in some way to osteoporosis."

    Osteoporosis International 1993;3(3)





    "Even when eating 1,400 mg of calcium daily, one can lose up to 4% of his or her bone mass each year while consuming a high-protein diet."

    American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1979;32(4)





    "Increasing one's protein intake by 100% may cause calcium loss to double."

    Journal of Nutrition, 1981; 111 (3)





    "The average man in the US eats 175% more protein than the recommended daily allowance and the average woman eats 144% more."

    Surgeon General's Report on Nutrition and Health, 1988





    "Calcium intake demonstrated no protective in preventing bone fractures. In fact, those populations with the highest calcium intakes had higher fracture rates than those with more modest calcium intakes."

    Calif Tissue Int 1992;50





    "There is no significant association between teenaged milk consumption and the risk of adult fractures. Data indicate that frequent milk consumption and higher dietary calcium intakes in middle aged women do not provide protection against hip or forearm fractures... women consuming greater amounts of calcium from dairy foods had significantly increased risks of hip fractures, while no increase in fracture risk was observed for the same levels of calcium from nondairy sources."

    12-year Harvard study of 78,000 women American Journal of Public Health 1997;87





    "Consumption of dairy products, particularly at age 20 years, were associated with an increased risk of hip fractures...metabolism of dietary protein causes increased urinary excretion of calcium."

    American Journal of Epidemiology 1994;139

    Those papers are REALLY OLD, for one thing. 20 years ago people didn't even have the internet. For another thing, are you saying to cut out protein or something? Very high-protein diets can cause some calcium excretion--note that one study mentioned a 100 PERCENT increase--but that doesn't apply to a normal diet. Lastly...you didn't post any methods. How can we critique a paper without seeing its methods?

    I hate seeing these ancient artifact papers being picked clean for facts that support an argument by people who don't understand how to choose or read a research article.
  • debussyschild
    debussyschild Posts: 804 Member
    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.

    Good point, however, if you're going to cut out dairy--one of the best sources for calcium--make sure you are taking a calcium supplement that contains vitamin D. When you're cutting calories to lose weight, it's almost impossible for your body to get all the vitamins and minerals it needs from food alone. Always take a high quality vitamins to help replace that as well as essential fatty acids. Your body will thank you.
  • I hate seeing these ancient artifact papers being picked clean for facts that support an argument by people who don't understand how to choose or read a research article.

    :laugh: :laugh:
  • debussyschild
    debussyschild Posts: 804 Member
    I hate seeing these ancient artifact papers being picked clean for facts that support an argument by people who don't understand how to choose or read a research article.

    :laugh: :laugh:

    And she let's them HAVE IT! I LOVE IT.
  • maryd523
    maryd523 Posts: 661 Member
    I hate seeing these ancient artifact papers being picked clean for facts that support an argument by people who don't understand how to choose or read a research article.

    :laugh: :laugh:

    At least I have studies. I'm sure you did a ton of research before deciding dairy was good for you, right? You didn't just...I don't know...hear it at school or EVERYWHERE?
  • songbyrdsweet
    songbyrdsweet Posts: 5,691 Member
    I hate seeing these ancient artifact papers being picked clean for facts that support an argument by people who don't understand how to choose or read a research article.

    :laugh: :laugh:

    At least I have studies. I'm sure you did a ton of research before deciding dairy was good for you, right? You didn't just...I don't know...hear it at school or EVERYWHERE?

    I've never really had any class that told me what food was 'good' or 'bad' for me. I certainly understand digestion, though. And how to properly support an argument. Give me 10 minutes and I can pick clean a bunch of papers that WILL say calcium is good for you, etc. etc.
  • brookepenni
    brookepenni Posts: 787 Member
    I used to think I didnt like dairy so went years without eating it. Then once I decided to change my lifestyle (lose weight) I introduced it again - low fat yoghurt and milk mainly. The first few months - horrible. All those years of no diary made my tummy quite upset. Apparently I had unofficially made myself lactose intolerant and have had to retrain my body. I still dont like cheese (but its more about the texture, thats just weird!) but I wont put my body through that again - I will maintain a level of dairy intake so I wont get sick again. I guess I have done the opposite - introdced it rather than eliminate it. But I havent had any problems losing weight or body shape because of it. I agree with the other posters about calories in V calories out and I think thats wholy and solely what its all about!
  • RonSwanson66
    RonSwanson66 Posts: 1,150 Member


    I hate seeing these ancient artifact papers being picked clean for facts that support an argument by people who don't understand how to choose or read a research article.

    Sing it sister:

    How about a meta-analysis that refutes everything she just posted:

    "One sometimes encounters arguments that the protein and sodium of milk somehow negate the potential benefit of its calcium. These speculations are based on the established fact that both protein and sodium lead to increased urinary calcium excretion [160,161]. However, the negative effects of protein and sodium are observed mainly at low calcium intakes, when, with absorption already operating at an individual’s maximum, there is no possibility of increasing calcium extraction from the diet so as to offset an increment in excretory loss. By contrast, at high calcium intakes and correspondingly lower absorption efficiencies, the body has room to adapt to altered loads. Moreover, even at low calcium intakes, the ratio of the calcium in milk to its sodium and protein content is so high as to offset directly any calciuric effects; that is, even without physiological adjustment, the calcium absorbed exceeds the calcium eliminated by virtue of sodium and protein. Finally, the argument is curious on its face. Had it any cogency, milk could never support growth, nor could it sustain health in adults, yet it manifestly does both, as for example, in infants and children of all races and in adults of nomadic, pastoralist peoples. "


    Full Text:
    http://www.jacn.org/content/19/suppl_2/83S.full
  • I agree that our bodies evolved to eat dairy and meat, as well as fruits, vegetables and nuts. Humans are hunter-gatherers.

    As we evolved we learnt how to domesticate our food and we learnt about horticulture. If we weren't meant to eat these things, they wouldn't taste yummy. (taste yummy to those types that like it)

    I agree some people are allergic to dairy and have aversions to meat products and other types of foods. Guess that is DNA and your genetics.

    My neighbour gave up red meat to help his arthritis and it helped improve it. He eats fish and chicken, fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains. So I am not against giving up certain food groups for health reasons.

    All I can say is each and every one of us has a different body type. Just eat the foods you like and the foods you know your body can handle. If you are gluten intolerant, stay away from gluten, if you are lactose intolerant stay away from certain types of dairy.

    I'm sorry, but I do get tired of the "Vegan Types" telling us eating meat is bad or eating dairy because it came from a cow is bad.

    I understand how the meat industry and slaughterhouses are bad, and I agree with the way animals are handled and I hate wastage. But prior to meatworks and slaughterhouses we used to do it ourselves, and we used every bit of the animal. Nothing went to waste.

    The problem with modern eating is overly processed food rich in preservatives and additives - bad chemicals that can be found at McDonalds, Burger King and KFC etc. These foods should be cut out of your diet if anything.

    Our foods in the supermarket are also made with these so that products have a longer shelf life.

    If we all went back to basics - ate meat, fruit and vegetables, nuts and grains, dairy, eggs, seafood - that we hunted and gathered ourselves - I doubt any of us would be over-weight.

    EDIT: Just wanted to add that - before the milk, meat and supermarket industries, we were all eating meat, fruit and vegetables , nuts and grains, dairy, eggs and seafood. So it was not these industries that forced us to eat these food types. Those people saw a need and monopolised on it in the modern age.
  • I see. And this Alan Aragon you quote is the all-knowing of nutrition. Someone who, when I do a quick search, I can't find any info about other than his own self-proclamations. Hmmm.

    He's no Dr. Oz or Dr. Phil, that's for sure :laugh:

    Was about to say xD

    Alan Aragon is the all-knowing ;D

    Google "Alan Aragon": 55,100,000 results.

    Google "plagirl227's father" 4 results (3 from MFP).

    Just sayin'

    Just in case anyone didn't see my sarcasm.
    Alan Aragon = VERY reputable source.
    i <3 him and his knowledge :D
  • maryd523
    maryd523 Posts: 661 Member
    I hate seeing these ancient artifact papers being picked clean for facts that support an argument by people who don't understand how to choose or read a research article.

    :laugh: :laugh:

    At least I have studies. I'm sure you did a ton of research before deciding dairy was good for you, right? You didn't just...I don't know...hear it at school or EVERYWHERE?

    I've never really had any class that told me what food was 'good' or 'bad' for me. I certainly understand digestion, though. And how to properly support an argument. Give me 10 minutes and I can pick clean a bunch of papers that WILL say calcium is good for you, etc. etc.

    Yes....calcium IS good for you. When packaged with dairy, however, it causes the blood to become slightly acidic, which the body deals with by pulling calcium from the bones.

    Don't take my word for it, look it up yourself! I used to love milk and now I think it's the most disgusting fluid...full of blood, pus, muscus...ew. Not to mention the fact that it's horrible for your body.
  • 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....

    I've cut out dairy completely and have seen a huge change on my appearance (glowing skin, hair), better mood and yes dropped a few lbs as well but I did it mostly because most cow's milk contains hormones that cause harm and soy milk (products) can cause several endocrine disorders.

    http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/2006/12.07/11-dairy.html
    http://www.optimumchoices.com/Soy.htm

    So my best bet is almond milk, coconut milk & hemp milk :)
  • debussyschild
    debussyschild Posts: 804 Member
    I hate seeing these ancient artifact papers being picked clean for facts that support an argument by people who don't understand how to choose or read a research article.

    :laugh: :laugh:

    At least I have studies. I'm sure you did a ton of research before deciding dairy was good for you, right? You didn't just...I don't know...hear it at school or EVERYWHERE?

    I've never really had any class that told me what food was 'good' or 'bad' for me. I certainly understand digestion, though. And how to properly support an argument. Give me 10 minutes and I can pick clean a bunch of papers that WILL say calcium is good for you, etc. etc.

    Yes....calcium IS good for you. When packaged with dairy, however, it causes the blood to become slightly acidic, which the body deals with by pulling calcium from the bones.

    Don't take my word for it, look it up yourself! I used to love milk and now I think it's the most disgusting fluid...full of blood, pus, muscus...ew. Not to mention the fact that it's horrible for your body.

    Just a thought here... so the milk we produce for our children to nurse them on, is that somehow completely fundamentally different from cow's milk? I mean, both milks serve the same purpose, don't they? I'm sure what they're comprised of can vary widely depending on the mother's diet, but human milk probably has some of those same nasty and horrible things you mentioned. I just don't get your argument at all.
  • A choice to eliminate dairy from one's diet won't necessarily result in weight loss, but it will have other health benefits including reducing one's risk for osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as decrease the amount of pesticides, synthetic hormones, and antibiotics consumed.

    Here's a link to some information about dairy from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
    http://www.pcrm.org/search/?cid=252

    And another here:
    http://www.thechinastudy.com/la-timesarticle.html

    I've cut dairy out of my diet for about 3 years now. I have eaten some cheese since then, when it was difficult to avoid it while eating at someone else's house, and every time I've done that I remember why I cut it out in the first place. I feel so much better when I don't eat it!!! My advice is to take a chance and stop eating dairy for a 2 weeks to a month and see how you feel. Improvements you might experience are: More regulated bowel movements, better sleep, less skin irritations, improved health/less sickness/better breathing.
  • Lactose intolerant here! Which means I've done a lot of research
    I still eat dairy, just dairy products that have had the lactose broken down into simpler forms of sugars.
    I read that eating and drinking these products can be beneifical to everyone- not just people like me.
    Dairy is hard to digest for everybody, so using lactose-free dairy products makes it easier for your body to digest the dairy which equals less bloating which equals a better body for us all
    :D
  • kouzzzz
    kouzzzz Posts: 540 Member
    Okay, are we talking about pasteurized or raw milk?
  • debussyschild
    debussyschild Posts: 804 Member
    A choice to eliminate dairy from one's diet won't necessarily result in weight loss, but it will have other health benefits including reducing one's risk for osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as decrease the amount of pesticides, synthetic hormones, and antibiotics consumed.

    Here's a link to some information about dairy from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
    http://www.pcrm.org/search/?cid=252

    And another here:
    http://www.thechinastudy.com/la-timesarticle.html

    I've cut dairy out of my diet for about 3 years now. I have eaten some cheese since then, when it was difficult to avoid it while eating at someone else's house, and every time I've done that I remember why I cut it out in the first place. I feel so much better when I don't eat it!!! My advice is to take a chance and stop eating dairy for a 2 weeks to a month and see how you feel. Improvements you might experience are: More regulated bowel movements, better sleep, less skin irritations, improved health/less sickness/better breathing.

    I tend to have better regulated bowel movements when I consume yogurt that has live and active cultures in it. Just sayin'... :smokin:
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