A new year always seems to bring life to the fad, join the gym, join a slimming club, start a new diet, make a change and so the list goes on. This year seems to have given life to veganism with veganuary, so I thought I’d have a read not so much of veganism but of the benefits of dairy free and sugar free. Both of these seem to have negative effects on our minds, bodies and health and cutting them out of our diet seems to have massive benefits. So here goes some info:
Lets start with a dairy free lifestyle, now I have to say I have never liked milk. Back in the 70’s in school children were given a mini milk bottle of milk at break time, I was lucky that after I had vomited mine several times they gave me orange juice instead, the teachers or assistants can’t have enjoyed cleaning my milk vomit, I can’t think why! I do however like natural yoghurt and cheese, so making changes to these is going to be a tough one so I want to know why I would want to do this.
So to start with there have been many improvements in the skin of those who have cut dairy from their diet, there seems to be no known reason but many dermatologists are now recommending this as a starting point for patients suffering with acne, psoriasis, eczema to name just a few common skin conditions.
Next on the list is the increase in people suffering from a large variety of allergies and intolerances. Dairy, lactose, gluten and so on. These can cause uncomfortable symptoms in lots of areas of the body but mainly it seems the gut and bowels, cramps, stomach pain, flatulence (otherwise known as farting), bloating, diarrhea, and sickness. All uncomfortable and would be lovely to get rid of.
A lot of reports of improving health just by changing diet have been looked at and overlooked but the amount of people who say they have stopped their unexplained headaches, skin rashes and pains seems to be increasing almost daily, just check out the blogs, TV reports, social media chats and the natter you may have with the person in the same queue as you in the health food shop. There have even been reports of reductions in behavioural issues like ADHD by removing dairy products from the diet but apart from speaking to people I haven’t seen any medical evidence of this. Still worth looking at though.
Stronger bones is another interesting read. I was always lead to believe that drinking your milk with calcium and vitamin D will make your bones and teeth strong. I didn’t drink my milk of course and have broken a few broken bones for a few reasons but haven’t most people? But there does seem to be good proof that a non dairy diet has a better effect on stronger bones, great sources of calcium that are non dairy are nuts, seeds, beans and lentils, some fish, salmon and sardines and some leafy greens like kale and spinach.
Finally on the dairy issue is the amount of antibiotics and hormones we are consuming from the dairy products. Cows are given many hormones and antibiotics for their own health and for many other reasons unknown to the man or woman on the street and certainly not the consumer. Through eating or drinking these products we really don’t know what medications we are consuming and what potential effects these might have on us now or in the future. As I type this, it makes me feel a bit sick and now I have made my decision that I no longer want these dairy products and they meds inside me, I’m already taking enough unwanted medication, I absolutely don’t want more. There are loads of nutty alternatives to yogurts, milks and cheeses and as this is a growing market the prices are coming down as these products are coming more widely available.
Next on my list is sugar, lets see if I can make myself sick at the thought of what that’s doing to my insides and brain. I’m already worried and haven’t even started looking at it yet!
Just today the BBC was reporting that many british children are consuming too much sugar, around the maximum amount recommended for adults, we already know that sugar has a negative effect on our weight, our blood, our brain cognition, our teeth and bones and our hearts. So there seems to me to be very little reason not to look at the sugar in my own diet.
First is the seemingly obvious weight issue, the majority of simple sugars come in cakes, sweets, processed foods and ready meals. Have a look on the labels of these ingredient lists and see just how much sugar they contain, you’ll be shocked. Particularly for the ready meals and processed foods where sugars are simply added to add taste. Even what appear to be low fat foods will contain more sugars. These are definitely worth replacing with healthier home made meals which of course is not always that easy for working parents with families to feed after a long day at work. But just when shopping have a look at the ingredient list and see whats what.
Drinks contain a surprising amount of sugar, we all expect the fizzy drinks to contain a third of the bottle as sugar, if you don’t you should know that. Luckily I’ve never been a fan of the fizzy drink so have managed to avoid them, well except for a cure for a hangover, the only thing that can help me feel better is fanta orange, no idea why. But the coffees served up in the larger coffee shops and cafes have an extraordinary amount of added sugar, this makes me want to cry because I love these coffee shops, but they can stick their sugary flavours, I’ll go to the cheap old café instead.
Here of course is my biggest interest in how bad sugar is for me and that is the effect on the brain. Excess sugar is shown to have a negative effect on memory, cognitive function, mood swings, fatigue, depression and dementia.
So that’s me again, I will find as many ways as possible to cut out sugars from my diet, these are the sugars that are not natural like fruits but stopping the cakes and the chocolates. Swapping rice for lentils and quinoa. Basically this reading has given me the kick up the bum to look again at my diet. My memory is shocking at the moment and finding ways to improve it will be amazing. To not have my friends and family have to repeat the conversation we had last week again because I forgot would be lovely, more for them than me seeing as I don’t remember it, I just have the frustration of thinking I’ve lost my marbles again.
I think I’ll be dragging Davinas sugar free diet book out again and maybe even reading it this time.
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