One of the biggest challenges my clients face is hearing me say, ‘let’s skip the dairy for a while, I think you might have a sensitivity or intolerance’.

Gulp.

It’s not easy, but if you have persistent digestive symptoms like bloating after meals and inconsistent bowel movements, you suffer from acne, or arthritis, you would most definitely benefit from giving up dairy for a while. I know there is a lot of emotional attachment to dairy, and many depend on it for calcium and a quick protein fix. And it’s delicious. But giving up dairy for even a month will help your digestive system to recover and heal.

Do you have a dairy intolerance or sensitivity?

The problem with dairy in modern culture is that it is overly processed, leaving it void of it’s natural enzymes, minerals, and vitamins that act as co-enzymes to help break it down. This leaves your body depleted and damages your digestive system as your body compensates to use it’s own vitamin and mineral reserves. I wrote about the negative effects of dairy in this article, where you’ll also find some alternatives to common dairy ingredients.

Dairy intolerance or sensitivity, what’s the difference?

Lactose Intolerance

  1. Caused by a deficiency of lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose (a complex sugar).
  2. Foods that contain lactose include: dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurts, etc).
  3. Symptoms include: abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and flatulence.
  4. Subtle symptoms include constipation and acne.

These symptoms can eventually lead to more serious health concerns over time, like chronic inflammation, leaky gut, weight gain, and diabetes.If you experience the above mentioned symptoms, I would encourage you to try cutting dairy out of your diet for a week or two, and see if your symptoms have subsided.

IgG-mediated allergy / food sensitivity / delayed hypersensitivity

These reactions are characterized by the production of IgG antibodies and the gradual formation of antigen-antibody complexes which deposit in tissues and can lead to chronic inflammation. They are responsible for the ‘delayed-onset’ of symptoms, which can occur several hours or days after foods are ingested, which is why it is so difficult to pin point them.

Symptoms may include:

  • irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • headaches/migraines
  • fatigue
  • high blood pressure
  • eczema
  • asthma
  • joint pain
  • runny nose
  • arthritis
  • weight problems
  • fibromyalgia

To figure out if you have a food sensitivity you can work with a holistic nutritionist or follow an elimination diet on your own. Another option is to do a simple IgG Food Sensitivity Test. The good news is that it is often possible to eliminate reactive food(s) from the diet for several months and gradually re-introduce when symptoms have improved.

I’m always adding new recipes to my dairy-free collection as a resource for my clients and my latest one is a creamy broccoli soup! (for you Chloe!) It’s filled with fibre, liver detoxifying properties, minerals (like calcium and magnesium), and loads of antioxidants that help to protect your cells from free radical damage.

Cream of Broccoli Soup

  • 4 cups of broccoli florets (1 medium head)
  • 2 cups of water
  • 1 cup cashews, soaked in 2 cups water for 2 hours (optional, but helps to make the soup more creamier and easily digestible)
  • 1 apple
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons of coconut cream
  • 1 lemon juice + zest (1.5 teaspoons zest and 5 tablespoons of lemon juice)
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 2 cups arugula
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil

How to make:

Cut broccoli into florets (you can use the stem part too), slice onion and apple. Chop or crush garlic finely.
Heat up coconut oil over medium heat and add onion and sea salt. Cook for 5-6 minutes, until translucent. You can add the apple at this stage too or leave it raw. (If you don’t have a high speed blender, it might be better to cook the apple to soften it) Add garlic and oregano and cook for 30 seconds. Remove pan from heat.
Meanwhile, steam broccoli for seven minutes.

Drain cashews and add all ingredients to blender. Buzz until smooth.

Optional toppings ~ sprouts and radishes.

ENJOY!! xx

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Enjoy, and happy cleansing!