Dairy products are mucus-forming and the protein in dairy has been found to increase inflammation in vital parts of the body such as the thyroid gland and digestive tract. Since cutting dairy, I've noticed improvements in my metabolism and energy levels — which can both be linked to thyroid health.
If some of the excess calories that you take in are from dairy products, cutting those foods out right off the bat will help you lose weight. If your downfall is cheese, you can lose weight by avoiding cheese — as long as you're not replacing it with other foods, you'll be taking in fewer calories."
It takes up to three weeks for dairy to fully leave your system after you stop eating it. You may see results in just a few days, or it may take the full three weeks until your system is clean.
Cheese is linked to inflammation in most people, and contains hormones such as growth hormone and traces of estrogen, known to increase the risk of cancer. It takes 21 days for all traces of dairy to leave your system but you can see the benefits when you give up dairy.
I've read accounts online of individuals who switched to a vegan diet and experienced a variety of symptoms, ranging from headaches to fatigue, “brain fog” and lack of energy, which they attributed to giving up dairy foods.
But just as morphine and opium, casomorphins are addictive, and if you suddenly stop eating cheese, you might experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and strong cravings.
You may feel less bloated
Cutting dairy out of the loop means less digestive stress on your body, i.e., less bloating. But take note that as your body adjust to less dairy (then no dairy!) and more plants, you might feel some digestive discomfort.
At some point at the end of those 6 months someone suggested that I cut wheat and dairy out of my diet. I did so and within 2 weeks my pain had cut in half, my weight plummeted, I had more energy and I could see and think clearer. It was like a fog lifted.
You can miss out on essential nutrients
"Dairy products tend to be rich in important nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D, so if you decide to eliminate this food group from your diet, then you need to ensure you do not miss out on your intake of these essential nutrients," says Frida.
Dairy Research
Despite conflicting information, overall, research paints a positive picture for milk-based products. A 2017 review of 52 clinical studies, published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, concluded that dairy generally has anti-inflammatory effects, except in people allergic to cow's milk.
Just like other dairy products, cheese too is rich in calcium and protein. Research suggests that when our bodies get adequate amounts of calcium, we tend to burn more fat. Also, with cheese being protein-rich, it accelerates your metabolism and reduces appetite, thereby helping you achieve weight loss.
If you're constantly craving cheese, it's best to wean yourself off it instead of trying to quit overnight. Start by making small replacements, taking it one day (or even one meal) at a time. You may find it useful to have one cheese-free day a week, then two, then three, and so on.
The reality behind swerving dairy
One review in the International Journal Of Obesity found that those who ate an increased amount of dairy as part of a calorie-restricted diet lost an average of 1.6lbs more from their fat stores than those on a similar diet with less dairy.
Getting rid of foods like milk, cheese, and ice cream is a great way to give your skin a boost, Sarika Snell, a dermatologist in Washington DC told INSIDER. "Cutting dairy improves skin texture, skin tone, and acne," she said. The biggest irritant of the dairy food group, though, is skim milk, Snell said.
Restricting dairy intake may lead to osteoporosis, a bone disease characterized by the body producing too little or losing too much bone, causing weakened bones that easily break.
Nutritional yeast is one the best alternatives to cheese that every vegan can keep in their back pocket - it's the perfect, no-dairy cheese that makes every meal more delicious with just a little sprinkle. A nutritional yeast cheese substitute most closely resembles Parmesan with its nutty, rich, and salty flavor.
Incorporate cheese in a veggie-rich omelet, salad, soup, or grain bowl. “Cheese enhances the protein and fat intake of your meals to help promote fullness for longer,” Salcedo says, “and may delay absorption of blood sugar into the body.”
“You'll see clearer skin, reduced bloating, weight loss, more energy, and better sleep. Most people don't realize how good they can really feel until they try it.”
The confusion could also come from the use of similar terminology - dairy product and animal by-product. But, contrary to these common misconceptions, eggs are NOT a dairy product. While eggs are indeed produced by animals and therefore by definition an animal by-product, they are not a derivative of dairy products.
You may improve your overall gut health.
Those artificial ingredients can cause various sensitivities, as well as overgrowth of yeast and inflammation of the GI tract—which can lead to fatigue, an upset stomach, and nausea. But removing dairy can help to heal your gut and replenish its healthy bacteria over time.
Dairy products are mucus-forming and the protein in dairy has been found to increase inflammation in vital parts of the body such as the thyroid gland and digestive tract. Since cutting dairy, I've noticed improvements in my metabolism and energy levels — which can both be linked to thyroid health.
If you're craving cheese, you might not be eating enough fats. You also might be in need of some vitamin D. Cheesy comfort foods get more appealing in the dark winter months for a reason! Other foods with vitamin D include eggs, almond milk, yogurt, and salmon.
It's Addictive
Cheese contains casein, a slow-burning protein that has a powerful drug-like molecule called casomorphin, that interacts with the brain's dopamine center, releasing dopamine into the brain the same way opiates work.