The start of a new year is always bursting with resolutions. It just feels like the perfect time to hit the reset button: become a shinier, better version of yourself, get stuck into more exercise, embrace healthier eating, try out new hobbies, ditch bad habits, and maybe even adopt a few good ones. Two years ago, I found myself reluctantly embarking on what I assumed would be a temporary dairy-free diet. What surprised me was how it gradually became a cornerstone of my eating habits — and 24 months later, it is still going strong. If you are thinking about making the switch, here is how my journey with its ups and downs unfolded.

I wouldn’t call myself too much of a picky eater, but there are definitely a few foods I avoid at all costs and some I have a more... complicated relationship with. Dairy has always fallen somewhere in between: I have swapped animal milk for plant-based alternatives for as long as I can remember, purely because I didn’t like the taste. But when it came to other dairy products — like butter, yogurt, sour cream, or heavy cream — I had no complaints. And cheese? Let us just say I was smitten, with only a few exceptions. Overall, I was fine with how things were and had no plans to change it, until I got an extrinsical motivation. 

It was related to skin issues I developed after taking some medication for an extended period — quite a blow for someone who had never dealt with acne, not even during puberty. I consulted multiple dermatologists and went through every possible test, only to be told that everything was fine and I just needed to give my body time to readjust. Still, I was given a few prescriptions to help my skin recover faster, and cutting dairy out of my diet completely was one of the main recommendations.

Honestly, the start was challenging. I quickly realised that almost everything I liked contained some form of dairy. So, during the first month of my new diet, I found myself eating rice, avocado, and tuna literally every single day for lunch and dinner. And I missed cheese like crazy! But as time went on, I put up with the idea of completely rethinking my eating habits.

Coincidentally, around that time, I started dating my now-fiancé, who happens to be intolerant to casein and has been dairy-free for over a decade. This relationship turned out to be a massive support in my journey. First off, it is much easier to stick to a dairy-free lifestyle when the person you spend the most time with isn’t snacking on a piece of that so-coveted cheese in front of you, making it even harder to resist temptation. Secondly, we never have any dairy products at home, so fridge raids never end with a sneaky snack of something forbidden. And, finally, it broadened my food horizons. I discovered an endless number of dishes that don’t need dairy to taste amazing, as well as the whole world of plant-based alternatives to every milk product you could imagine. 

Two years in, the skin issues I once struggled with are now resolved, and I believe the dairy-free diet played a part in that. On top of it, I have noticed I feel lighter after meals that don’t contain any milk products. I no longer crave them, nor do I feel restricted by what I can eat. Cooking dairy-free as well as dining out is a breeze these days, so even if I did miss dairy,  would probably still prefer to do without, because my life just feels better.

Am I 100% dairy-free? Not quite, but I am very close. On rare occasions, I might indulge in something with a hint of processed milk — like a piece of chocolate or a pastry with a bit of milk in the dough. I avoid pure dairy products or anything based on them, though — my body simply doesn’t handle it anymore. If I do, I pay the price with discomfort and probably a few breakouts.

Aside from my body’s decreasing tolerance for foods I no longer consume, I have also become hypersensitive to the smell of milk. It got to the point where walking through a cheese shop or past a bakery almost makes me feel sick.

Also, while going dairy-free, it is tempting to replace your usual products with the vast array of vegan alternatives that aim to replicate the authentic taste. However, many of these options come with questionable nutritional value, packed with sugar and empty calories. The fact that these alternatives exist is fantastic, but it is crucial to stay mindful of exactly what you are eating and in what quantities. And, of course, when changing your eating habits, it is essential to ensure you are benefiting from it rather than the opposite. So, be sure to do it under professional medical supervision.