Why dairy-free?

[Rachied26]

Hi guys! I'm new to this forum, so I'll start by asking you a favour! :)

I'm writing a paper for my journalism course and my topic is why people chose to live dairy free and if they can meet their nutrient requirements without milk products. If anyone could share their experiences with me via post or email, I'd really appreciate it.

P.S. If any of you are feeling REALLY generous, email me so I can ask you some questions !
Thanks for your help! ;)

[Pam]

My daughter is dairy free because she is intolerant to cow's milk. She suffers stomach pain and severe constipation, not to mention disturbed sleep. I went dairy free after speaking to a nutritionist who was very anti-milk. Dairy cows are treated very badly, they are pumped full of hormones which must surely come through the milk and we don't actually need to have milk in our diet. Would we express human breastmilk to give to others? I felt such an improvement to my digestive system and my hayfever and allergy symptoms cleared up immediately that I have stayed off cow's milk since. If I have a lapse I usually get very congested and suffer sinus pain for a few days afterwards.

[jill]

After suffering for around 15 years with stomach cramps, sudden urge to use the loo with the result of diahhorea, being told by GPs that it was IBS (Irritable bowel Syndrome) caused by stress I finally discovered through my own illimination diet that the route cause was dairy products. After being dairy free for about a year I have not had any of the symptoms of the previous 15 years. To ensure that I get enough calcium I take a supplement.

Hope this helps

Jill

[jill]

I addition to my above message I have replaced cows milk with soya products. It isn't easy but you get used to it if you know you feel better.

Jill

[GMThomas]

Hello from the United States, (my very first post on this forum)... Here are the reasons I gave up all dairy product a year and a half ago after already being a Vegetarian for 30 years:

(1.)The horrible treatment which farm animals receive in factory farming just totally angers me. I cannot be a part of this inhumane treatment of innocent creatures. Thus, I choose to be Vegan... no dairy products at all.

(2.)Secondary, would be the health reason. Just think, dairy products are FULL of chloesterol, steriods, herbicides, antibiotics, growth hormone and pesticides. Do you know how bad milk, cheese & eggs are for your body? I choose to avoid all this by avoiding all dairy.

(3.)Third, well.... I just feel better being Vegan. Granted, there are not a lot of people in my area (South Carolina, USA) who share my views about avoiding dairy... (there are a few) but, I have made a personal decision and feel better with myself in doing so.

Gary (Conway, South Carolina USA) (it's near Myrtle Beach)

[astra]

i'm in agreeance with gary in the above post.

i originally chose to drop dairy from my vegetarian diet as i was a very bad vegetarian - lots of prepacked prepared food, too much cheese etc and i felt awful, tired, sluggish etc. i looked into dropping the dairy, as i was concerned with getting enough nutrients and i read more than i wanted to know, what crap is actually in milk and the treatment of the animals themselves. i am constantly aware of my diet now, making sure i get enough protein etc, i feel *great* so i think that i do meet my nutrient requirements without the help of vitamins, although i did take a 30 day course at the start of my adventure as a vegan and i probably will take another short course at the beginning of next winter, but on the whole i don't feel that i need to.