Health Benefits of Cutting Out Dairy
By Ashley Chapman
Whether you have a dairy allergen or you are looking to find healthier alternatives to dairy products, there are many options. There are various reasons why some decide to either cut back on dairy or eliminate it from their diets. From health to vanity reasons, everyone has their own personal reasons to cut back on dairy.
Calcium is an important nutrient in our daily lives, so it is important to be well aware of what products will offer you the best options. From the long-term health benefits, to avoiding nutrient deficits, it is best to weigh all the options of eliminating dairy from your diet before taking the plunge.
Health Benefits to Cutting out Dairy
While it can be detrimental to your health to cut out dairy, if done the right way, it can lead to long-term health benefits. Dairy products have a tendency to be higher in fat content, so those that choose to cut out dairy products may see a loss in weight. Along with potential weight loss, you may see other health benefits.
An improvement in skin conditions may also improve from eliminating dairy from your diet. If you suffer from skin conditions such a psoriasis or dermatitis, you may try cutting out small amounts of dairy to keep track of whether your skin conditions are improving.
Avoiding Nutrient Deficits
If you are thinking about eliminating dairy products from your eating regimen, it is best to do it gradually. This will help avoid a decline in necessary nutrients. This also allows you to gradually introduce dairy-free products into your kitchen.
Choosing a milk alternative can be something you can start with. There are varieties of milk alternatives and each has its own taste. Some dairy-free alternatives you can try out include almond milk, coconut milk and oat milk.
Foods Rich in Calcium
After eliminating milk from your diet, and you find that it has become routine, you can begin eliminating other foods from your diet such as cheese and yogurt. However, it is vital that you include calcium-rich food in your diet.
Foods that are great dairy-free but rich in calcium include:
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Almonds
- Okra
- Broccoli
Visit a Healthcare Provider
Whenever you are choosing to change what you eating, it can be beneficial to visit your healthcare provider to ask for tips on what to include in your diet to avoid deficiencies. Along with advice, they can also monitor if you need to add supplemental vitamins or other items in your diet.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Knightdale, N.C.