The pros and cons of dairy-free diet
Are you considering going dairy-free? Here is all you need to know about this new diet!
Elimination diets are the craze, including options like gluten- and dairy-free lifestyles. Milk is rich in Calcium, protein, and several other nutrients, but it is not an ideal choice for everyone.
Allergies, medical restrictions, etc., can force you to go on a strict dairy-free diet. It can also be a lifestyle change choice – Either way before you go on a dairy-free diet, you must know the pros and cons.
Knowing that will make deciding whether to make such a huge lifestyle change more effortless.
This article will help you understand the pros and cons of a dairy-free diet. If you know little about following a dairy-free diet, read further to improve your knowledge.
Diets without dairy: Perks
1. Potential Weight Loss
High calorie and fat consumption is the primary reason for weight gain worldwide. Dairy products, including full-fat varieties, have higher calorie and saturated fat amounts.
This allows you to avoid the risk of weight gain and help you immensely if weight loss is one of your main goals.
Another thing to remember is that removing dairy from your diet allows you to find healthier replacements.
You can include more grain, vegetables, fruits, etc., in your meals with low calories and more fibre. This can help you feel sated with every meal and manage your weight.
2. Improved Digestion
Lactose intolerance is a common issue many people face, giving them a valid reason to avoid dairy altogether.
Lactose is a type of sugar found in dairy and dairy products, which our body needs an enzyme named Lactase to digest.
A lactase deficiency can make it harder for you to digest dairy and cause many digestive issues like bloating and diarrhoea.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed as lactose intolerant, avoiding dairy can help you stay away from all these digestive problems.
3. Clearer Skin
If acne breakouts are a usual reason for frustration, avoiding dairy can be an intelligent thing for you to do.
Experts have discovered that certain hormones or growth factors in dairy products can affect your skin.
Avoiding dairy can help you prevent inflammation and acne issues. So if you have acne problems, a dairy-free diet is the way to go.
4. Ethical Reasons
The dairy industry depends on animals, which might seem unethical to some people.
Almond or oat milk are some options that can allow you to enjoy dairy-free possibilities that will help you stay true to your ethical beliefs.
Reducing dairy use can help you not contribute to the dairy industry.
5. Allergy Management
Milk has several proteins that can work as allergens, in which case you must avoid milk and other dairy products.
Casein and Whey are some of the proteins in milk that might trigger allergic reactions ranging from more minor to dangerous symptoms.
If you struggle with such allergies, eliminating dairy will help you gain better allergy prevention and management skills.
Diets without dairy: Drawbacks
1. Nutrient Deficiencies
As discussed, dairy is one of the best sources of nutrients like Calcium and protein. While Calcium helps immensely for better bone health, protein is necessary for muscle and tissue development.
When you go dairy-free, you cannot get these daily nutrients.
One way to battle this issue is to find other sources to get those missing nutrients. Plant-based products, leafy vegetables, and supplements are some of the things that can help you stock up on those nutrients.
If you need nutrients for which dairy is the primary source, going dairy-free might not be a wise choice.
2. Restricted Food Choices
Dairy plays a massive role in several dishes, including desserts, savoury meals, etc. Cutting it out from your diet means you have limited meal options.
You need excellent meal planning skills so you don’t get bored of eating the same things repeatedly.
Dairy products are present in minute amounts in several different dishes and ingredients.
That is one thing to remember if you enjoy variety in your meals and get bored of consuming the same meals constantly.
3. More Expensive
You don’t want to spend much money because you are starting a new lifestyle. Dairy-free products cost more than dairy options, which might not always be ideal.
If you are on a tighter budget, you might be unable to spend as much as needed to switch to a dairy-free diet.
Dairy-free products also come in smaller packages so you can run out of them faster. If cost is a big part of your meal planning, going dairy-free might not be suitable.
4. Texture and Taste Differences
Remember that dairy or dairy products have a distinct taste and texture. If you are sensitive to these two things, switching to a new diet might not go as smoothly as expected.
Plenty of dairy-free alternatives claim to replicate the taste, but it can be challenging to get the same results.
Switching to a new diet with different flavour profiles can also be incredibly stressful, so you must consider that change.
Going dairy-free might not be a successful change if you are too dependent on dairy products for taste and texture satisfaction.
5. Nutrient Imbalance Issues
We talked repeatedly about dairy products being the primary sources of several essential proteins. When you decide to remove dairy from your diet, you risk causing a nutrient imbalance.
Dairy replacements you find might not always help you gain those nutrients needed. Nutrients are paramount to ensure better long-term health, which can be put at risk when you decide to remove dairy from your diet.
Suppose you struggle with nutrient deficiency issues and want to avoid dairy. In that case, you must consult with mean planning experts to help you get all the required nutrients.
Conclusion
Starting a dairy-free lifestyle is challenging, whether because of lactose intolerance or other reasons. Before eliminating dairy or dairy products from your diet, knowing both sides is critical.
This article explored some of the significant advantages and disadvantages of becoming daily-free. You can now compare the pros and cons of a dairy-free lifestyle against each other.
We hope you feel more knowledgeable and can explore going dairy-free more comfortably from now on!