You'll stop experiencing stomach pain, bloating, and gas. When you stop eating dairy, “you should expect to not have any of these icky stomach issues anymore,” Zeitlin says.
Just one week without dairy consumption can make you feel less bloated and your skin look clearer if dairy had been affecting skin conditions. Depending on your level of sensitivity to it, you might also start to feel a bit more alert, since dairy is known to make some people feel sluggish.
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. Either way, you're looking at a healthier you!
You might become less bloated
"This is due to the fact that many people lack lactase, the enzyme needed to properly digest cow's milk," explains Harju-Westman. "If you cut out dairy, you may find that your digestion improves, perhaps making you feel less bloated," the nutritionist suggests.
You may experience calcium or vitamin D deficiencies.
Since dairy is an essential food group, cutting it out completely could result in some deficiencies. Specifically: calcium and vitamin D.
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."
Eggs are classified as poultry products, not dairy products. Poultry products include chicken, duck, and turkey eggs, while dairy products are made from the milk of mammals. Eggs are considered to be a separate food group, distinct from dairy products.
You Might Gain Weight
No two bodies are alike, and while some people may drop a few pounds after giving up dairy, cutting out this major food group may possibly contribute to weight gain in others.
The quick answer is that it appears most people don't need to cut dairy out in order to improve health and reduce inflammation—at least not long-term.
Helpfulness: For those who have lactose intolerance or other sensitivity to dairy products, avoiding them can help ease uncomfortable and painful symptoms. Safety: A dairy-free diet is safe, as long as people who follow it make sure to get enough calcium and other nutrients typically found in dairy products.
There are several important health reasons to consider going on a dairy-free diet, including to help control inflammation, reduce digestive issues, and to balance hormones.
Coogan, MS, RDN, LD, and director of the didactic program in nutrition and dietetics at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, recommends only removing dairy from your diet if it's medically necessary. Otherwise, you're risking developing a nutritional deficiency.
Usually, dark chocolate is dairy-free as it is made only with cocoa solids, sugar, and a source of fat, such as cocoa butter. However, some manufacturers may add milk or milk powder as an ingredient, so it's crucial that you read the label if you are looking for dairy-free chocolate.
Almond milk is dairy-free.
Almond milk has no lactose (a type of sugar found naturally in dairy milk) since it's not an animal product. As a result, it's a good milk substitute for people with lactose intolerance. It's also suitable for people who are vegan (don't eat animal products).
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.
For most people, dairy does not cause inflammation, and there is no need to avoid it. Many dairy-containing foods may be eaten as part of a healthy diet. In addition, there are many non-dairy, plant-based milk alternatives on the market for those seeking out other options.