Dairy Free Diet?

[dodukes]

Is anybody here on a dairy free diet or has anybody done a 7 or 10 day dairy free challenge? I was wondering cuz i wanted to start maybe next week and do the challenge but was thinking because they always advise to consult with dr but honetstly I think if I brought it up to my doc shed think I was nuts..heheh. So I just wanted to hear from people to see if they've either done it, or are on one and do you get like dairy free versions of cheeses for sandwiches and what other such limits do you have due to this? Also did you consult your dr. or did you just try it?

 

[punkin712]

Vegans do not eat dairy products. If you have questions about dairy alternatives/substitutes, I recommend visiting www.peta.org or another vegan lifestyle website.

If your doctor thinks you're "nuts" for wanting to go dairy-free, you might want to think about choosing another doctor. She obviously isn't educated on alternative, non-animal sources of essential vitamins and minerals.

 

[Christine]

For one of my thyroid scans, I had to do a low-iodine diet. Without going into too much frivolous detail, this meant that I could have NO DAIRY of absolutely any kind because it is all high in iodine. I couldn't even have an dairy substitutes because many of the "fakes" have too much iodine. So, I went dairy free for 10 days. Really, it's fine. You don't need dairy (you should take a calcium supplement though).

I can't say I felt any better or worse on it. My skin got really clear by the end of the 10 days but I was avoiding a lot of other types of food so it is hard to say what helped that. But, I would say that the lack of dairy was the hardest thing to give up and I'm not even a milk drinker. But I like it in my tea, in my cereal, I like butter, and I love ice cream.

 

[TheOtherVillainess]

I don't think you're nuts. I'm allergic to dairy, so I have to live a dairy-free lifestyle. I usually drink soymilk instead and get my calcium by eating yogurt and taking calcium supplements.

TOV

 

[dodukes]

Just to clarify I was kidding about my dr lol. She'd probably want to know why. But thank you I hadnt thought of the peta or vegan to at least look into substitutes or alternatives.

Yes I already drink Soy milk because and I also have the soy silk yogurts every once in a while and just this week discovered that there is a dairy free ice cream at our local publix so i tried it yesterday.
I think I am lactose intolerant to some level because I can have some things without a problem, but if i drink milk, or a milkshake or a lot of ice cream, its off to the bathroom we go (bad). My mom cant have milk so i know it runs in the family.
Anyway I was reading an article that mentioned milk/dairy as one of the culprits of dry skin. So i looked into doing a test trial of dairy free to see if it would change anything (found a few sites). So thank you very much for the answers i have gotten, i am curious to see if i can actually do 10 days like the PP.
TOV: So do you avoid things like cheetohs puffs and doritos and stuff like that because I was looking at he labels today to see what all i would have to give up and it seems like a lot of things contain dairy in some way. (granted i know cheese puffs..lol) But what can you sub or do they make milk free puffs...LOL? What about breads? I figured since they have dough and stuff possible some milk?? Do you just take calcium in the form of a vitamin? Would that be enough? I am trying to do some sort of food elimination to see what causes some things and dairy seems to be a big culprit in a lot so I wanted some opinions before I embarked on this without a nutrionist or dr's guidance. Thanks all.

 

[Hedy]

Tings can be found in the health food aisle and are a dairy-free Cheetos type products.

 

[dodukes]

Tings can be found in the health food aisle and are a dairy-free Cheetos type products.

Oh wow, that is kool I had no idea, I will look into that this weekend, (hope they dont taste too bad...lol) Im sure once I go to Wild Oats (its our completely healthy supermarket) I will find a lot more things...

 

[Laura]

I do eat dairy, but I do know there's just about anything dairy found in a dairy-free form. Sour cream, yogurt, milk, ice cream, etc etc etc.

 

[cherylp3]

I keep a dairy free diet as well.

Also just so you know anything labelled Kosher Parve - means no dairy

Kosher D.E:- Item was processed on same equipment as dairy

Kosher Circle U - D: Item contains dairy

 

[Daisy Chick]

If you eat a balanced diet, you can skip something for a week with no lasting effects. But if you're planning to eliminate it entirely, I'd talk to a doc or nutritionist.

I have a Vegan friend and it is a bit of a pain to go dairy-free. No muffins (they use milk or eggs or both to make them), no chocolate ( )...tons of stuff I never thought of as containing dairy. She won't even eat pasta if it isn't specifically Vegan pasta.

Good luck!

 

[punkin712]

I have a Vegan friend and it is a bit of a pain to go dairy-free. No muffins (they use milk or eggs or both to make them), no chocolate ( )...tons of stuff I never thought of as containing dairy. She won't even eat pasta if it isn't specifically Vegan pasta.

Where there's a will, there's a way. Being a vegan just takes a little imagination. Here's a link to a vegan bakery in NYC that offers cakes, muffins, cupcakes, etc. You would never know them from the real thing.

http://www.babycakesnyc.com/index.html

 

[Glinda64]

Actually, most people are at least a little bit lactose intollerant. Let's face it, humans were not made to digest COW'S milk. Now, the dairy industry would have you believe differently, but there is no reason that a human must have dairy. You'll be fine and probably feel much better! Good luck!

 

[Daisy Chick]

Where there's a will, there's a way. Being a vegan just takes a little imagination. Here's a link to a vegan bakery in NYC that offers cakes, muffins, cupcakes, etc. You would never know them from the real thing.

http://www.babycakesnyc.com/index.html

Oh, I know it can be done. And I don't *think* she has any problems in her daily life, at home. But I sent her your link, in case she can use new recipes! Thanks!

I just think it would be a hard switch, and is a problem when selecting restaurants and stuff. I do have to say that there are more places where you can find a Vegan plate (or switch something around to make it Vegan) than I'd originally thought.

I guess it is more a pain in the butt for me than for her. But, I totally support people's diet choices, especially when they are healthy! So long as they don't lecture me about my cheeseburgers, it is all good.

 

[Sherri]

Is anybody here on a dairy free diet or has anybody done a 7 or 10 day dairy free challenge? I was wondering cuz i wanted to start maybe next week and do the challenge but was thinking because they always advise to consult with dr but honetstly I think if I brought it up to my doc shed think I was nuts..heheh. So I just wanted to hear from people to see if they've either done it, or are on one and do you get like dairy free versions of cheeses for sandwiches and what other such limits do you have due to this? Also did you consult your dr. or did you just try it?

I'm a vegan, so I guess i'm on the dairy free diet. I have been for years. I get dairy recplacments. I use soy milk and eat soy delicious ice cream. I like Tofutti pizza. There are so many substitutes that you won't even really notice that you aren't eating dairy, if that makes sense.

 

[cherylp3]

Breads: Rudi's organic breads: http://www.rudisbakery.com/products

Muffins: I have never used them but have recommendations from others
Natural ovens at http://www.naturalovens.com/

 

[Ms Marigny]

Dairy free can totally be done! There are loads of dairy free alternatives out there, you just have to shop for them. Soymilk, almond milk, rice milk, soy cheese, soy ice cream, soy yogurt- you name it, it's available.

We eat lots of meat and dairy free foods in our house, and really, it's not so bad. The difference I notice the most between dairy and dairy-free foods is the texture- once you get past that, you're fine. The taste is a bit different too, but you get used to it.

Someone mentioned Rudi's Bakery- I love their breads! I also love Toffuti and Soy Delicious ice cream, Soyco and Veganrella cheese, White Wave and Silk yogurts- just go to Whole Foods or Wild Oats and take a good look around or ask for help and you'll find tons of alternatives.

Oh, and you can eat chocolate if it is a very dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa- they are usually made without milk- just read the label.

 

[FlowersChild]

Well I am a Vegan, because I Love and Adore all animals, so I will not eat any dairy products. I drink a lot of soy/rice milk and other plant milks that have a lot of calcium in them I also get my calcium from green veggies

Here are some links that might help you out

http://www.tryveg.com/cfi/toc/?v=07groceries#19

http://www.pcrm.org/health/veginfo/vsk/calcium.html

http://www.pcrm.org/health/recipes/breakfasts.html

http://www.pcrm.org/health/recipes/beverages.html

http://www.pcrm.org/health/recipes/bakedgoods.html

http://www.pcrm.org/health/recipes/desserts.html

http://www.vegforlife.com/not-cheese.htm

http://www.chooseveg.com/list_recipes.asp?category=dessert

 

[Nicolepa]

I have a Vegan friend and it is a bit of a pain to go dairy-free. No muffins (they use milk or eggs or both to make them), no chocolate ( )...tons of stuff I never thought of as containing dairy. She won't even eat pasta if it isn't specifically Vegan pasta.

Good luck!

Being dairy free is very difficult. I am lactose intolerant and every now and then I don't feel so well. I go back and look more closely at a label and realize is has milk. Sometimes I can't track down what it is, but I know I've eaten something. I love the new labeling because now they tell you w/o having to decifer the ingredient list.

As for your vegan friend, pasta is made w/eggs. That is why she is looking for vegan pasta. I don't want the OP to think she can't have pasta. Pasta flour/semlina, water & eggs. No milk.

My first semester in College was horrible. I kept eating stuff and getting really sick. I finally started asking if there was milk/dairy and almost everything had it. They used to add it or powdered milk to up the nutrition on their food. I ended up eating dry cereal 2 meals a day for the entire semester. I didn't have to worry about the freshman (or Junior in my case) 15. I actually came back from college weighing less.

 

[dodukes]

Thanks everyone, I will go and check out all the links you posted. I too was amazed at all the stuff that has some hidden milk in it. I finally tried that new ice cream I told you all I found, its called purely decandent and i think like a PP said its from soy delicious,...yuuummmyy!!!
It was good but I have to agree there was something too it at first, texture, taste, like it was a little off, but i am halfway thru the tub and its good!! Maybe this coming week or if we can squeeze it in we will do a Wild Oats trip and see what is out there, that tofutti pizza sounds ummmm, interesting?..lol...thanks again all, I will post when I start it see how it actually goes.

Nicolepa: Do you ever try those OTC things for lactose and all that?? Just curious if they actually work.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

See..I KNOW that if I would just stop eating Dairy my whole life would change. I am a Vegetarian (for the past 16 years), not b/c of health reasons just b/c I can't stand the thought of eating animals. But anyhow..b/c of the lack of meat, i often OD on dairy products. ESP.Cheese. And it makes me SO SICK! I need to stop!! But like another poster said, dairy is in EVERYTHING! Not even lactose pills help anymore. See..its a BAD problem when it makes you SICK to eat it, but you do it anyway! Food is a drug.
Okay, I am done.
LOL