Do You Have A Love/Hate Relationship With Dairy Products?

I have a love-hate relationship with Dairy Products. I love cheese, but cheese hates me. Yeah, I’m lactose intolerant.  Clearly, I am because every time I have anything with Dairy Products in it, I get stomach cramps, bloating, acidity, constipation, boogers, you know the drill. All of the varied side effects associated with this seemingly innocent agitator.

So the question is why do I still keep eating cheese and continue torturing myself?

My Counts On Dairy Products

I’ve never been a big milk drinker, so that doesn’t really tempt me.  The only time I even think to pour a glass of milk is when I need something to dip my Oreos in. I drink soy milk, rice milk and now I’ve discovered almond milk, so that’s my new favorite beverage for my cereals and things.

But that cheese just calls out to me time and time again.  The problem is, I love pizza!

And who can resist the plate of crackers and cheese at those uncomfortable social gatherings when you’re struggling to come up with the clever conversation? Grabbing a plate of Dairy Products hors d’oeuvres just seems so much simpler.

Not completely unrelated, half of my family smokes. I can’t stand cigarette smoke, although that’s beyond the point of this blog post. But I have a confession to make. I was always very judgmental of smokers because I thought to myself.

“In this day and age, with all of the information that we have on how bad smoking is for you, why would anyone choose to smoke?”

And then the other day, it dawned on me…they smoke cigarettes probably for the same reason that I eat cheese.  I don’t know exactly why and I know it’s not good for me, especially with a history of fibroids and endo.

Perhaps if you are a therapist, or in the mental health profession, you can shed some light on this issue.  I would really like to know – why is it that for something so obviously bad for us, we choose it anyway?

I really don’t get it.  How do we make sense of this in our journey to health & well-being?

I’m on this road just like you.  I’m figuring it out as I go just like you.  And I’m struggling with different foods that I don’t want to eat, but still am drawn to, just like you.  And I want to know the answer.  Because, like you, I want to heal myself.

Let’s Talk More About This

So, let’s talk more about this.  Right now, even though I don’t have an answer, I’m still going to hedge my bets against eating well. And living well so that I can enjoy a better quality of life for however many years I’m going to be here.

Because the truth is, we don’t know when we’re leaving this life experience. We simply endeavor to have the best one possible.  And I believe that this comes with healthier food choices and regular exercise.

And the funny thing is, I’ve gone without cheese before.  I actually gave up cheese for years.  I can’t remember exactly when I fell off the wagon and started eating it again, but ever since then, it’s been calling me by name.

Right now, as I’m writing this post, I would say it’s been about two weeks since I’ve had cheese.  And as of late, that’s a big deal.  So please, don’t put a deep dish pizza in front of my face right now, ‘cause I’m way too weak.

But I’m determined to give it up for good because I’ve noticed the difference.  All of the mucus, constipation, the upset stomach — hey you know what?  It’s just not worth it.  I felt so much better when I didn’t eat Mother’s dairy products.

So I’m going back.  I’m determined.  At every meal, I’m going to make a decision.  Taste good for a moment or feel better for a lifetime?  And right now I choose to feel better. I also suggest you ignore fat dairy products

So join me in the comments, let me know what you think.  Why is it dairy products that are so obviously bad for us, we choose them anyway? For now, Be Well.