How Can I Live Without Eating Dairy?

Trust me when I tell you that I LOVE DAIRY. This is not an exaggeration. One of my favorite phrases is "Everything is better with cheese!" A nice tall, cold glass of milk was always my go-to at dinnertime.

In my quest to feel better after learning about my hypothyroid diagnosis, I read book after book and article after article.

One thing that the majority of people seemed to agree on was that gluten and dairy are major contributors to inflammation in your gut, which can causes other health issues, if left untreated.

I will admit that I did not know I had an issue with dairy for many, many years. I should have, but did not put it all together until my thyroid diagnosis, subsequent research and ultimately becoming dairy free.

Why should I have known, you ask? Well, as a child, my sister and brother had severe allergies to flour and milk. Back then, there were very few substitute options and it was extremely limiting and likely quite annoying for my mother. Since I did not have the extreme reactions Linda and Mark had, when I became an adult (ish) I always just thought it was probably just easier to have all three of us on the same dietary restrictions. I thought I had grown out of it and that was that.

Fast forward a few years, and I had some generic type symptoms that I could never really identify the reason I was feeling. After I would eat, I would always have to blow my nose. I would get the worst headaches. For years, I would get migraines, which kept me from enjoying activities when I would get one. I would have some gastro issues, which weren't immediately after I ate, so I could never identify what exactly would cause them.

Now that I have been gluten free and dairy free for awhile, I will share my experiences of what happens when it eat dairy now.

If I eat something that has dairy in it, I will choke, cough and have a mild wheezing episode. Later in the day, I will experience a headache. For about two or three days, I will have pain in my joints and be tired. Sounds fun, yes?

Since I have removed dairy from my diet, I have had less headaches, more energy, less tissue use and my gut is more stable.

In the meantime, I have experimented with several items to substitute regular cow's milk in my recipes and day-to-day living. I landed on coconut milk.

I cannot have soy, as it interferes with my thyroid. I tried cashew milk, even making it myself, but I have a sensitivity to it, too. It is possible now that my gut is stabilized that I could reintroduce cashews, but once I realize that a certain food causes dramatic responses in my body, I am very hesitant to try it again. I will let you know if I do.

The best find for me on this journey has been coconut milk. It fits our lifestyle. I use it in recipes, mashed potatoes, hot cocoa, pancakes, baking, etc. No one in my house has noticed a difference in their food, so we will continue to use it. I sure do miss a tall, cold glass of milk though. I do like being able to breath and not have headaches, so I guess it is a good compromise.

I have found a coconut milk ice cream and yogurt that is delicious. Is it exactly the same? No, but it is pretty close.

Just to state the obvious, though. There is no good cheese substitute that I have found so I typically go without. Although, if you have a dairy sensitivity, it would probably behoove you to see if it is the lactose or casein that gives you the issue. This could be an important distinction.

Casein Intolerance Symptoms:

• Stomach ache. Bloating. Stomach cramps.

• Diarrhea. Constipation. Flatulence.

• Eczema. Rashes. Hives.

• Joint pain. Fatigue.

Lactose Intolerance Symptoms:

The signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance usually begin from 30 minutes to two hours after eating or drinking foods that contain lactose. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Diarrhea

• Nausea, and sometimes, vomiting

• Stomach cramps

• Bloating

• Gas

According to the Mayo Clinic, the only way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid milk and milk proteins. This can be difficult because milk is a common ingredient in many foods. Also, some people with milk allergy can tolerate milk in some forms, such as milk that's heated in baked goods, or in some processed foods, such as yogurt. Talk to your health care provider about what to avoid.

Also, just because I think it is and important distinction, here is the difference between and allergy and a sensitivity. According to ashtma.net, the difference between allergies and sensitivities is the mechanism. In allergic reactions, there is a specific IgE antibody that binds to the allergen and causes a very specific and usually reproducible reaction. Testing for specific allergies is possible with skin testing (pricks on the surface of the skin with results within 15-30 minutes) or allergy blood tests. Only a few individuals are allergic to allergens.

In comparison, sensitivities are caused by an irritant effect due to certain substances and are not immunologically specific. This happens, for example, with pepper or strong spices. Many individuals will react to those irritants. People with pre-existing allergies and already inflamed tissue may react stronger or to a lower dose (this often happens when allergic/asthmatics are exposed to scented candles, strong smells, etc.)

Sensitivities can cause similar symptoms like sneezing, coughing irritation, but they usually don't cause full anaphylaxis with a life-threatening outcome. Sensitivities are similar to "side effects": Many people experience increased heart rate after coffee - that's sensitivity. Many people get itching in their mouth with aged cheese - a sensitivity...

So, that is my journey with dairy. I miss the days of being able to eat what I wanted when I wanted, but I am much happier with out the irritating side effects. It has been some trial and error, but it has been worth the effort.

I hope this helps if you feel like you might be having a dairy sensitivity. I am not a doctor or medical practitioner. Consult your doctor, an allergist or a functional doctor if you think you have symptoms or sensitivities to foods.

Dairy Substitutes That I Love:

Of course there are other brands, but I have tried and liked the following.

Yogurt - So Delicious and Harmless Harvest Coconut Yogurt

Ice Cream - So Delicious

Coconut Milk - So Delicious, Thai Kitchen or Vita Coco - Please be aware that there is a difference between coconut cream and coconut milk.

Sour Cream - I will use So Delicious unsweetened, plain coconut yogurt in certain recipes. It isn't a perfect substitute, but in some recipes it works. Please note, that I did not love the yogurt substitute for onion dip. This will require more investigation. Maybe a combination of mayo or something?