To my own surprise, I stopped eating dairy in one night. I had been a vegetarian for several months when I watched the documentary Earthlings , which showed graphic footage of the many ways animals are exploited for food, clothing, and entertainment. I didn't really know how much pain I was going to suffer during Half and Half, and when the movie ended, I turned to my boyfriend and said, "We can't do this anymore. Or at least, I can't be a part of this." He agreed. , and we have all been vegetarians since then.
This decision is a moral one. As a feminist, I couldn't ignore footage of cows being forcibly impregnated and milked to death, each of their babies snatched away as they cried. What I didn’t realize that night was that choosing to give up dairy and all other animal products would also have many effects on my physical and mental health.
Now, nearly a year later, I feel the need to share how much giving up dairy has improved my life. Keep in mind, these were the changes that stood out to me a year later, but I didn't notice them until a month later.
1. I’m hardly bloated anymore—like I used to be
While my reasons for giving up dairy were moral rather than health-related, I have to admit that if someone had told me this would happen, I would have gone vegan a long time ago. I have struggled with chronic bloating and constipation for years. To combat this, I tried giving up gluten for a few years, which honestly didn't do much but disrupted my eating habits and made me hungry all the time. But when I stopped eating dairy, I started noticing that I basically never had bloating—even after eating a big meal. The only time I feel this way now is around my period, but becoming vegan also seems to have alleviated it a lot.
My experience is not uncommon. Dairy is one of the hardest foods for our bodies to digest, and most of us are far more lactose intolerant than we realize. Surprisingly, three-quarters of people actually lack the enzymes to properly digest milk. An estimated 98% of Southeast Asians, 90% of Asian Americans, 74% of Native Americans, 70% of African Americans, and most Jews, Latinos, and Indians are lactose intolerant. I didn’t know I was one of them until I felt completely free of bloating in my life.
2. My digestion became amazing and regular
Likewise, since I stopped eating dairy, my bowel movements have become erratic . Like I said, I frequently had constipation when I ate dairy and meat, and for years I attributed it to gluten, even though eliminating gluten didn't really solve the problem. But once I gave up dairy, I started having regular, satisfying poops every morning. Now, the only time I get constipated is when I travel, or right before my period - sometimes not even before my period. Apparently, this benefit of giving up dairy is not uncommon.
3. I feel satisfied after a meal rather than full or hungry
Oddly enough, I almost never feel full after eating now, but I almost always feel full. I'm guessing this is because I'm eating foods that are easier for my body to digest, and because I'm probably filling myself up with more high-fiber grains and vegetables rather than consuming smaller amounts of high-calorie dairy or meat, which may make me Feeling full but still unfulfilled. Now, when I eat, I feel instantly satisfied, energized, and relaxed. I can almost always tell exactly when I'm actually full or hungry. It's like I'm finally feeling the way eating is supposed to make you feel, and it's just awesome.
4. People started calling my skin “glowing.”
A few months after giving up dairy, people started commenting on my skin. I've always had great skin, so I'm surprised anyone noticed a difference. It’s not like I have severe acne that needs clearing up – but people seem to notice that I’m “glowing” anyway. “What product do you use?” more than one person asked me. “Veganism,” I always reply.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. According to a 2013 review published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics , dairy is one of the leading causes of acne. Researchers examined the link between acne and diet and found that certain products, especially milk, produce and stimulate acne-related hormones. This study supports previous findings from the Harvard School of Public Health and many other studies on dairy and acne. I don't even drink much milk other than drinking a little Half&Half and eating some ice cream every day. But I wanted to eliminate that and the cheese would still make a noticeable difference.
5. I started to feel more comfortable with my body
I'm not trying to lose weight (although yes, I've lost a few pounds since giving up dairy, which is common). However, I am not referring to weight loss here, but a feeling. I feel lighter and more comfortable all the time. When I eat a large meal, I never feel heavy, bloated, or full of food. When I get through the day with amazing BM and no bloating, I feel like I'm at home and body free.
There is also a newfound sense of moral ease. Because I am no longer a part of a system I don’t believe in, I feel a sense of relief and gratitude every day when I realize I don’t have to choose to be a part of it. I didn't even realize it was a burden until it was lifted. I truly have never felt such consistent joy or power.
6. I discovered that I really don’t “miss” anything.
When I decided to stop eating dairy, I knew it was the right thing to do, but I was afraid of not having cream in my coffee or pizza. I remember a few years ago, when I was trying to eliminate gluten to deal with digestive issues, it was absolute torture every time I saw a bagel. I'm afraid I feel the same way all the time now.
I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that was not the case—at all. I think it's because I didn't give up dairy for dietary reasons. Research shows that vegans who choose a diet solely for health reasons have higher relapse rates than those who choose a vegan diet for ethical reasons. When you actually change your association with these foods, often by watching videos made with animal products, they actually stop becoming appetizing. You don’t quit drugs to lose weight or stay healthy—you quit drugs because exploiting or killing other living things for personal pleasure is morally repugnant to you. This makes it easier to stick with it.
Now, when someone brings out a plate of cheese, I honestly don't feel deprived or craving it. It's like I no longer see it as food - just suffering. Suffice it to say, I saw how the sausage was made and it grossed me out. I don't miss any of the foods, which seems impossible if you're still eating them. If you don't believe me, I suggest you watch the (not gory) video above and see if your mind changes.
7. I started enjoying and appreciating food more
If you told me that as a result of giving up dairy I would try more new foods and restaurants than ever before, I wouldn't believe you. But it is what it is. Lucky for me, I now have an excuse to try some new vegan restaurants, as well as the many, many vegan products on the market. I may not miss the cheese, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to support and try restaurants that make delicious vegan pizza!
Artisan Nacho Cashew Cheese? Coconut milk dark chocolate ice cream and yogurt? Ethiopian and Korean vegetarian restaurants? Who knew it could all taste so delicious? The list of foods to try is long, and while vegan options may sound strange to some, they are rich, delicious, and have the added benefit of being better for my body.
I appreciate my food more than ever and I feel privileged every day that I am able to eat such a delicious, varied diet without feeling like I am being denied anything. I'm always grateful for my meals and thankfully I don't have to suffer in order to feel satisfied. It's a real feeling of abundance and joy.
8. I respect my desires and body in new ways
I'm sure you could give up dairy and end up compensating with too much sugar, unrefined carbs or salt, but that didn't happen to me. Instead, because I feel more in touch with my body, I can better sense what it craves and feed it those foods with love. I feel like I can now tell if my body needs some carbs, some protein, some vegetables, or some sugar, and I give it those things without judgment. I don’t feel the need to deprive myself of anything in order to be healthy because I know that by following a vegan diet, I’m already on the absolute healthiest track that more and more doctors are admitting.
Granted, I can't usually eat the office pastries now, but every time I go to a vegetarian restaurant, I order dessert. When I have the option to indulge, I feel no need to deny myself in any way. Instead, I feel like I really want to treat myself and enjoy everything I crave. My eating choices are now based on love, not fear, and this philosophy has extended to how I feel about my body. I love and appreciate it more than ever, and I no longer worry about feeling uncomfortable or “looking bad” as much as I once did.
If any of this sounds good to you and you’re thinking about trying veganism, then please send me a tweet. I'd love to support you in any way I can. I guess seeing what it did for my health might have inspired more people to not try to make a moral argument for giving up dairy and all animal products, but ultimately, compassion is what it's all about. All health benefits are just karmic rewards. Stop eating foods that cause pain, and your body is proven to be much less responsive to pain.
Photo credit: Rachel Krantz/Instagram; Rachel Krantz
