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No-Dairy Diets

A no-dairy diet excludes milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream and all other products made from cow's milk. Some people choose non-dairy diets because they cannot tolerate lactose, the sugar found in milk, or for other health reasons such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Others exclude milk because they believe that a no-dairy diet is healthier. Although these diets are similar in their exclusion of milk products, they have key differences.

  1. Macrobiotic Diet

    • A macrobiotic diet is based on Eastern philosophy and is intended to promote the physical as well as the spiritual elements of Buddhism. The diet comprises up to 60 percent organic whole grains, 25 percent locally grown organic fruits and vegetables and 10 percent soups made of seaweeds, grains, vegetables and fermented soy, according to the American Cancer Society. Dairy products, meat and sugar are discouraged, although adherents may eat limited amounts of white fish, nuts and seeds. Followers of macrobiotic diets also prepare their meals in prescribed ways, using glass, ceramic, wood, stainless steel and enamel cookware and eschewing microwave ovens and electricity.

    Paleolithic DIet

    • The Paleolithic diet, or Paleo as it is called, is based on foods that were consumed prior to agriculture and animal husbandry. It encourages the consumption of lean meat, fish, seafood, nuts, fruits and non-starchy vegetables. Quantities depend on individual preference. Paleo eliminates processed food, attributing the prevalence of modern diseases and allergies to our reliance on refined ingredients that the body does not recognize or utilize efficiently. Dairy products, sugar, beans, cereals, flours and grains are excluded. Perhaps one of the most difficult exclusions is salt; however, the acquired taste for salt dissipates upon its exclusion from the diet.

    Vegan Diet

    • A vegan diet is another plant-based diet that includes vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts and seeds. Vegans do not eat foods that come from animals. In addition to dairy, the exclusions include meat, fish and eggs. Strict vegans also do not use products made from animals, such as leather, silk, wool, fur and honey. Vegans may choose the lifestyle for a variety of reasons, including health, environmental sustainability or humane treatment of animals. Vegans may replace dairy products with processed products made from soy, rice or nuts; for example, almond milk and soy cheese.

    Okinawa Diet

    • The world's longest-living people include residents of Okinawa, a chain of islands in the southernmost region of Japan. Although the traditional Okinawan diet does not include dairy, it is high in variety. The diet relies on a wide variety of plant foods, including seven servings of fruits and vegetables and seven servings of grains a day. The Okinawa diet also includes two servings of soy and, for its omega 3 contribution, several servings of fish each week. Seaweed provides sufficient calcium. It is not unusual for older Okinawans to eat 18 different types of food each day, according to Bradley J. Wilcox in "The Okinawa Program." For followers of the Okinawa diet, rates of obesity, heart disease and certain types of cancer fall far below U.S. statistics.

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