It’s that time of year… National Dairy Month. For some of you, the thought of celebrating dairy might have you feeling less than excited.

For almost 30 years, we were bombarded with advertising touting the benefits of cow’s milk that featured celebrities with milk moustaches asking, “Got Milk?” So, it’s not surprising that many of us were raised to believe that cow’s milk and anything made with it, like cheese and yogurt, were ideal foods.

Well, it turns out, cow’s milk and dairy are less than ideal for millions of us. That’s why so many people are turning to dairy-free products like Vevan plant-based cheese, yogurt made with alternatives, and plant-based milks in general. In fact, look around you, 1 in 6 Americans are now dairy-free! That’s cause for a high-five to the person next to you grabbing that oat milk in the dairy aisle. Why are these numbers so high though, you might ask? Well, in honor of National Dairy Month, let’s take a look at some of the reasons so many people are going dairy-free.

Going Dairy-Free for Health Reasons

There are several reasons why people explore dairy-free diets. For many, it’s because their bodies are intolerant of ingredients like lactose. For some people it sneaks up on them quietly— one day they realize they can’t enjoy ice cream without feeling sick or the thought of cheese makes them not want to smile.

For others, a dairy allergy has been disguised for years as bad acne, rashes, joint discomfort, or intestinal ailments. Dairy allergies and sensitivities are often difficult to diagnose, but by going dairy-free, many find their ailments go away completely.

Many dairy-free converts also report an overall healthier feeling. In a recent article published by the Institute for Integrative Medicine, there are several benefits for going dairy-free including weight loss, reduced brain fog, reduced inflammation, and reduced digestive issues.

Going Dairy-Free for the Environment

And, it’s not only your health that can benefit from a dairy-free diet. The health of our planet is also improved with greater shifts to plant-based diets. That’s because plant-based diets are associated with significant reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions.

Regardless of the reasons, for years, dairy consumption has been trending down. This means dairy-free options exist in almost all mainstream grocery stores, which means as a shopper, your options for foods to explore so you can celebrate National Dairy Month are plenty. And, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the plethora of amazing recipes awaiting you, too.

If you’re a fan of irony and plan to try a dairy-free diet during National Dairy month, you should start by doing your research.

• Establish a timeline, many suggest 21 days, to test your new diet.
• Plan your menus ahead of time.
• Go shopping and fill your cart with dairy-free products, like Vevan cheeses and Snax that will make the transition seamless and delicious!

Remember, following an elimination diet doesn’t have to mean you’re losing something. Try thinking of going dairy-free as not losing things from your diet, but rather exploring new delicious options. You may be delighted by what you discover when you add to your diet. Take that, milk moustache.

If you’re dairy-free, or thinking about making the switch, we want to make it easier for you! Sign up for our newsletters and get tons of tips and yummy recipes delivered straight to your inbox.