When I made the decision to give up dairy for a week I didn’t realise just how many products actually contain dairy. Who knew body lotion could contain hydrolyzed milk protein? However, shrivelled skin was the least of my worries. How was I going to survive without cheese grated on my pasta? But if I could give up meat as easily as I did four years ago, then surely I could give up dairy just as easily for a week only, right? There is a wide misconception that a dairy-free diet is insipid and bland. Initially, when I decided to give up dairy for a week I thought I’d challenge these misconceptions by making gourmet dairy-free meals every night. But, that was not the case *inserts expectation versus reality meme here*.
I can say with confidence however that it’s just as easy to make simple meals without dairy as it is with dairy. Well, what exactly is dairy? Dairy products are made from the milk of animals. There are different types of dairy, such as milk, cream, butter, cheese and yoghurt. Dairy products are a source of calcium, which helps to maintain healthy bones and teeth, but rest assured – a dairy-free diet won’t necessarily leave you with crippling osteoporosis! If you’re considering adopting a dairy-free diet, this article lists alternative sources of calcium (https://greatist.com/health/18-surprising-dairy-free-sources-calcium). I’ve heard extraordinary tales about the benefits of cutting out dairy, like having clearer skin, less bloating, and weight loss. I can’t say that I look like the cover girl of Garnier after my dairy-free week, but at least I tried out some exciting recipes!
It’s easier to give up dairy if you substitute it with something else. Naturally, my first step was to Google what these substitutes actually are. I was relieved to hear that cheese can be replicated with nuts or soy protein. Here’s a recipe to make vegan parmesan cheese and vegan garlic and herb cheese for your enjoyment if you feel like spending time and money! During breakfast, soy milk was my go-to substitute so I was lucky enough not to resort to drinking black coffee or having cereal with water, although I must warn that soy milk is twice as expensive as milk which contains dairy. Using soy milk as an alternative to dairy milk was great because I didn’t have to go out of my way to make a dairy-free meal.
Making lunch to take along to campus can be a real schlep, so I kept it quick and easy. Instead of using cheese as a topping for my bread, I used peanut butter and sliced bananas. If that combination doesn’t tickle your taste buds, a chicken and mayo sandwich sounds just as appetizing (for those that eat meat) and for those who don’t, you can try using hummus, pesto or a sundried tomato spread in combination with some veggies, like portobello mushrooms and lettuce.
For dinner, I made red lentil and coconut soup in bulk so it lasted a few days. I cooked 2 chopped red onions, 1 chilli and a spoon of crushed garlic in a pot. Then I added 1 cup red lentils, spices, fresh parsley, 1 cup coconut milk and 4 cups water. After bringing it to the boil, I reduced the heat and let it simmer for 45 minutes. You can garnish with fresh coriander if you’re feeling fancy! Another must-try meal I made for dinner was spicy chickpea curry. I found the recipe online (credits to BBC Good Food) and altered it to my taste. Firstly, drain and rinse a can of chickpeas, add it to a pot with 400 ml water and season it with curry powder, turmeric and garam masala. After bringing it to the boil, turn off the heat and set it aside so that the flavours can permeate the chickpeas. Cook chopped onions, garlic, chilli and mushrooms in a deep frying pan. Tip some chickpea water into the mixture. Add chopped tomatoes and the chickpeas with the rest of the spicy water. Cook it together for 10 minutes and season to taste. This is the type of meal people ask the recipe for, trust me.
Ordering a salad “without feta, please!” isn’t fun and definitely isn’t necessary if you go to the right restaurant. I ordered a veggie dish from Timbuktu and was not disappointed. The dish included a range of veggies – a curried vegetable stew made with carrots, potatoes, onions and peppers, spinach and greens, spicy split peas, lentils cooked in Berbere sauce and chickpeas cooked in Berbere sauce. Many restaurants cater for specific dietary requirements so you won’t have to eat in when all your friends go someplace to eat. Unless they go to Cattle Baron. Or Hussar Grill.
Although giving up dairy for a week didn’t yield any miraculous results, it was nonetheless nice to try new recipes. I’d definitely try giving up dairy for a longer period to see for myself whether a dairy-free diet actually is as phenomenal as I heard it is.