Reality star Khloe Kardashian has claimed that she lost 11 pounds (4.9 kilograms) in six weeks by ditching dairy.
The 31 year old has transformed her figure in the last year by overhauling her diet and embarking on a rigorous fitness regime, but Khloe admits she still got a shock when she saw how much difference a dairy-free diet made to her body.
"I'm obsessed with cheese and milk, but eliminating them from my diet made the biggest difference," she told New Beauty.
"In a month and a half, I lost 11 pounds just from not eating dairy, without doing anything else different, and that totally blew my mind."
WHICH CELEBRITIES FOLLOW DAIRY-FREE DIETS?
Khloe isn’t the only celebrity to credit a dairy-free diet to her svelte figure; Megan Fox and Victoria Beckham have also waxed lyrical about ditching the white stuff.
WHY SHOULD I CUT DAIRY FROM MY DIET?
Dairy has been linked to a number of conditions, including eczema, asthma and weight gain, and some scientists have even linked it to cancer and diabetes.
But a more obvious issue is the fact that about 75 percent of the world's population is genetically unable to properly digest milk and other dairy products - a problem called lactose intolerance.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I SHOULD GO DAIRY-FREE?
Doctor Mark Hyman suggests: “Try giving up all dairy. That means eliminate milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream for two weeks and see if you feel better.
“You should notice improvements with your sinuses, post-nasal drip, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, energy, and weight. Then start eating dairy again and see how you feel.
“If you feel worse, you should try to give it up for life.”
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GOING DAIRY-FREE?
According to some nutritionists, there are many benefits to cutting dairy from your diet.
These include:
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Clearer skin (some studies show that going dairy-free can clear up acne)
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Healthier digestion
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Reduced symptoms of IBS (such as stomach pain, cramps, bloating, flatulence (yes, gas), diarrheoa, and nausea)
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Weight loss
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Stronger bones (according to a study of approximately 78,000 female nurses, women who consumed greater amounts of calcium from dairy foods had a significantly increased risk of hip fractures, while no increase in fracture risk was observed for the same levels of calcium intake from non-dairy sources.)
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Reduced cancer risk
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Reduced exposure to antibiotics and hormones (most milk manufacturers use Bovine Growth Hormones and antibiotics to stimulate milk production and prevent infection)
WHERE SHOULD I GET CALCIUM FROM IF I CUT DAIRY FROM MY DIET?
Doctor Mark Hyman advises that you take calcium supplements, or that you eat non-dairy and calcium-rich foods, such as dark green leafy vegetables, sesame tahini, sea vegetables, and sardines or salmon with the bones.
IS DAIRY-FREE A HEALTHY OPTION / DO THE NHS ADVISE GOING DAIRY-FREE?
The NHS argues that milk and dairy products provide good sources of protein and calcium, and so form part of a healthy diet.
However they do add that dairy contains a large amount of saturated fat, which can lead to raised cholesterol levels and obesity.
They advise swapping for lower-fat dairy products and using smaller amounts, as well as checking labels before purchasing.
They say: “You can check the amount of fat, salt and sugar in most dairy foods by looking at the nutrition information on the label.
“If you compare similar products you will be able to make healthier choices.”
In short? Keep things in moderation.
While giving up dairy is, according to Khloé, a large factor in the transformation of her figure, she also explained other ways she has managed to maintain her slimmer physique.
"I'm way healthier now than I ever was," she said.
"I stay really hydrated by drinking five litres of water and taking vitamins every single day.
“Working out also makes my skin look better - everything looks better."
Would you ever consider going dairy-free?
Let us know via Facebook or Twitter (@CloserOnline) now.