SO, I have decided to reduce the amount of dairy in my diet...I can't say that my decision was environmentally motivated or that my love for cows inspired my choice. No, without shame, I say that my decision is primarily due to vanity-related reasons! I have heard for quite some time in the beauty/nutrition/health world that dairy has been linked to acne, bloat, indigestion, and other undesirable outcomes. My Mother has also been so kind as of late to keep me updated on the latest stories associating dairy with acne. I didn't want to believe that something so delicious could also be so detrimental! But after an increase in facial skin inflammation and irritation, I knew something had to change. Further pushing me to at least give this challenge a try is a dairy diet challenge I found on facebook for the month of May. Hormones, antibiotics, and poor farm raising practices are some of the things that have been blamed for these poor outcomes. In addition, lactose intolerance, affecting up to 33% of the population worldwide, is to blame. Many adults lack the digestive enzyme lactase, which wanes after around age 2. This means that the undigested milk sugars ferment in the colon, resulting in gas, cramping, and bloat. How awesome is that?
Yogurt and ice cream and cheese, oh MY! I am not excited to give up a food group that plays a pretty significant role in my diet. I have cow's milk daily and often cheese, yogurt or ice cream throughout the week (in moderation and measured portions, of course!). However, I am excited to see if removing these things from my diet will improve the way that I look and feel. Dairy does offer some nutritional benefits that I will have to obtain elsewhere in my diet, among which are calcium and vitamin D, a mineral-vitamin team essential for strong bones. Many milk alternatives are fortified with these nutrients, though. In my search to find milk alternatives, I have come across a variety of different options. I have noticed that none really compares to milk in terms of protein content (soy comes in pretty close). However, the docked protein shouldn't matter too much, since I get sufficient protein from other sources in my diet. The other factor is taste--while milk doesn't really taste good to me, I enjoy a glass with my pb & j. So I'm hoping to find something that can stand alone in terms of flavor. The only issue now is that I do have some dairy in my fridge that I'm not really trying to let go to waste, since it's paid for and all. Fortunately, I only have a corner of milk left and am out of sliced cheese, so I guess I will be picking up some version of "milk" today at the grocery store. I will have to forgo the cheese for now, as I can't see myself giving soy cheese another try (*yuck*). I also stocked up on a couple chobani yogurts that were on sale and still have a few left. I will be finishing those! So, I will report back on the milk thing and document the experience overall! Anyone care to join?
4 Comments
Mom
4/26/2013 02:41:35 am
Count me in! I can finish up the products I have by the end of the month, and take a hiatus for the month of May. (Its always a good feeling to learn that your children take your advice some of the time...)
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Alena
4/28/2013 06:02:42 am
Yay, we're in this together! And I think you mean most of the time ;-)
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karen martin
7/13/2013 03:24:33 am
great informative article - it should help many who are having those challenges - thanks
Reply
Alena
7/23/2013 02:34:48 am
Thanks for commenting! I sure hope it will help
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AuthorHello there, my name is Alena and I am a Registered Dietitian! This blog is a platform through which I can share my knowledge and perspectives on a variety of nutrition-related topics. Feel free to contribute by commenting. Archives
November 2021
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