“You are what you eat!” How many times have you heard this phrase before? Well, there is actually a lot of truth behind it. The food you eat can have an impact on your mood, gut health, energy levels, and so much more. Food is fuel, and it is crucial to ensure you are consuming fuel that is compatible with your body. In my case, I experienced clear signs that dairy was not compatible with my body. And after over 4 years of stomach aches and bloating, I finally decided to accept my lactose intolerance and try a dairy free diet. Keep reading to learn what the signs were and what happened when I started a dairy free diet.
What were the signs? I had 4 major ones.
Looking back, the signs that my body was rejecting dairy were obvious. But in the moment, I thought the way I was feeling was normal. I didn’t used to realize that when you start caring about the food you put into your body – you can feel better! I guess this is why they say hindsight is 20/20. Below are the symptoms that I felt of my lactose intolerance. But, everyone is different. If you think you might be lactose intolerant, try reading Lactose Intolerance on Mayo Clinic for more signs and information on signs and symptoms.
- My stomach hurt after eating most meals. Sometimes it would hurt for 30 minutes. Sometimes it would be for hours. And, sometimes my stomach pain would carry through the night into the next day. It didn’t hurt with a sharp pain, which is what made it tolerable enough to ignore. Instead, it felt like a case of stomach cramps that wouldn’t go away.
- I felt bloated after eating. This happens to us all sometimes, and I am not saying that dairy is certainly always the cause! But, I used to believe that the only time I could have a flat stomach was first thing in the morning.
- My bowel movements…not pretty. Enough said.
- I actually vomited sometimes. This was a big red flag. In my home, we cook very light and healthy. But occasionally, I would go out to a restaurant and treat myself to a meal like fettuccine alfredo. *big sigh…that was one of my favorites* Unfortunately, the after-effects of a buttery, cheesy meal like this would nauseate me at times to the point of my stomach literally rejecting it back out.
What was the breaking point?
I will tell you – starting a dairy free diet was not easy. I used to be the queen of charcuterie, a lover of cheese fries, and an ice cream fanatic. And this is exactly why I kept ignoring the signs. Cheese and ice cream and dairy usually tastes really good! But, I finally decided that enough was enough.
Everyone has a different breaking point for things. For me, I went on a date night and ordered a cheesy entree. My stomach was in so much pain after that I did not even want to talk! It got to a point where it was affecting not only my body, but my ability to enjoy events. This is when I decided that a dairy free diet was worth a try.
What happened when I started a dairy free diet?
This was by no means a perfect process! Changing habits is not an easy task. And yes, I had a habit of always eating dairy. Especially cheese. When I made the decision to try a dairy free diet, I did not fully anticipate any of the impacts it would make.
Below are 8 things that changed when I started a dairy free diet.
1. I realized how much dairy I actually consume.
I was having cheese with almost every meal. Pasta dish? Add parmasean on top. Eggs for breakfast? Add American cheese. Salad for lunch? Add mozzarella cheese. I was adding cheese to everything I ate, and it took missing it to realize.
2. I felt sluggish and tired for the first week.
I could actually feel my body craving the dairy that it was so used to! This was not fun.
3. I didn’t eliminate it completely right away.
When I first started, I made exceptions for certain foods or occasions. At first, I thought a little in moderation would be okay. But, my stomach let me know otherwise. This leads me to my next point.
4. My stomach stopped hurting!
Once I finally realized that no dairy equaled no stomach pain, it became easier to not want it at all. I never knew that my stomach could feel regular, without cramps! I can now easily turn down a charcuterie, because I know that it is not worth the after-effects. And if I really have no other option, I always keep Lactaid on me to counter the effects.
5. I like my morning coffee less.
Let’s be real – oat milk and coconut milk do not match up to regular cream in coffee. At least not in my opinion. But, it is much better to start my day without stomach problems.
6. Bloating improved.
I no longer experience regular bloating associated with indigestion. Not only do I feel better, but I actually look better too!
7. I feel annoying sometimes.
This may be a growing pain of quitting dairy, as it has only been a few months. Or, it may be the people-pleaser in me. But, it has been tricky to go out to eat or go to a friend’s house and turn down anything with dairy. I truly did not realize how many foods contain milk, butter, or cheese. Some people have not understood, but I have had to accept that it doesn’t matter. This is a decision for my health, and setting clear boundaries and expectations has been key.
8. I realized there are a lot of available substitutions.
I feel so lucky to have started a dairy free diet when there are already so many other options! There are dairy free milks, dairy free coffee creamers, and even dairy free cheeses. Whole Foods is my favorite store to browse through to try new alternatives items! Just be careful to skim over the ingredients – some replacements contain unhealthy additives in place of dairy.
Would I recommend it?
If you have experienced effects of lactose intolerance like I did, I would definitely support looking into a dairy free diet. But first, consult with your doctor or nutritionist to see if it would be a good fit for you. When changing your diet in such a drastic way, it is important to make sure you are still fitting in all essential nutrients and vitamins. When going dairy free, this especially includes Calcium and Vitamin D.
Like I mentioned, I did not expect any of these changes to the magnitude that they happened! I also didn’t believe I could really quit dairy. But, once I started listening to my body and prioritizing how I feel, it became a clear choice.