Dairy foods are a controversial subject these days. Yes, they have shown to benefit bone health and they contain a great source of calcium, potassium and vitamin D. However, many experts believe dairy can be harmful and should be avoided at all costs.
Sandra Paterra, certified health counselor, explains that when you give up eating dairy, “you will be eating less lactose and less sugar.” This is especially important for individuals who suffer from lactose intolerance. “Many people cannot digest the lactose and are sensitive to it, therefore suffer with digestive issues,” she adds.
Remember, if you do decide to stop consuming dairy, you have to make up for the loss of dairy’s nutrients in other ways. Take a calcium supplement for strong bones and reduced risk for osteoporosis; and go outside and expose yourself to the sun to reduce your risk for vitamin D deficiency.
 | YOU WILL START TO FEEL LESS BLOATED Lactose intolerance stirs up a variety of digestive symptoms in people, some only mild symptoms others major,” says Paterra. For an individual who suffers from lactose (natural sugar) intolerance, consuming dairy can lead to bloating. This is because the undigested sugar goes to the large intestine and mixes with the bacteria there, ultimately causing swelling of the stomach. |
 | YOUR DIGESTION WILL IMPROVE Dairy is renowned as an acidic food, it also contains lactose. It may disrupt your body’s acid/alkaline balance. Paterra explains that “many people cannot digest the lactose and are sensitive to it; therefore [they] suffer with digestive issues.” After removing dairy from your diet, your digestive system will improve and overall digestion will become more effective. |
 | YOU MAY HAVE FEWER HEADACHES Do you suffer from frequent headaches? If your answer is yes, you may want to consider the amount of dairy you are consuming. You may be suffering from food allergy-induced inflammation – dairy can trigger the symptoms of your allergy, causing a headache. Stop consuming dairy for a few weeks and see if you begin to have fewer headaches.
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 | YOUR SKIN WILL BE CLEARER |
 | SINUS CONGESTION AND OTHER CONGESTION WILL CLEAR “Casein, the naturally occurring protein in dairy products, can promote the formation of mucus, and thicken existing mucus, causing congestion,” says Paterra. That being said, avoid dairy at all costs when you are sick, or just completely remove it from your diet altogether to avoid sinus congestion. |
 | YOU WILL POSSIBLY LOSE SOME WEIGHT Believe it or not, dairy consumption is linked to weight gain. Paterra explains that if you don’t overeat other foods when you eliminate dairy, you will be eating less sugar – “yes, sugar in dairy” – and you may drop a few pounds. |
 | YOU WILL HAVE MORE ENERGY Dairy products such as milk and cheese have been shown to contribute to chronic fatigue in individuals with dairy sensitivities. Your body works hard to digest the foods that you eat, which is why it’s important to consider going dairy-free. Paterra explains that the “body doesn’t have to work so hard to break down the dairy products” – for individuals on a dairy-free diet. When you stop eating dairy, your immune system will no longer have to fight against it, ultimately resulting in more energy. |
 | REDUCE YOUR RISK FOR DISEASE Once you stop eating dairy, you begin reducing your risk for various chronic diseases, some of which include cardiovascular disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes. But one of the most serious conditions is cancer. “Dairy product consumption has been linked to increased risk for prostate and breast cancers, according to pcrm.org. |