You grew up drinking milk and eating cheese – but could the dairy in your diet actually be causing health problems like weight gain, heartburn, lack of energy, high cholesterol, joint pain, lactose intolerance, and even irritable bowel syndrome? If these symptoms sound familiar, going dairy-free could be the solution to feeling and looking better. Try this 28-Day Dairy-Free Challenge to see if milk is what’s slowing you down.
Week 1: No Milk
The first step of the plan is easy: Replace milk with a non-dairy alternative! You can try almond, hemp, soy or rice milks – which are virtually free of saturated fat and cholesterol. They’re available for around $3 in major grocery stores.
To make sure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D, eat a daily serving of green vegetables like broccoli and kale. Additionally, spend 10 minutes in the sun every day. If you’ve got a sensitivity to milk or are lactose intolerant, you may experience less bloating and fewer stomachaches by following this step of the challenge.
