We have all grown up with a few dietary notions which may or may not be in our best interest! We all believe for example that lots of dairy is good for us.

Dairy is one of the four food groups identified in Canada's food guides as necessary and important for us.

When I was told dairy may not only be unnecessary, but harmful, I was confused and at first did not believe it.

My naturopaths, a wonderful couple who work together, began to educate me. Many people they reasoned on this earth do not have access to dairy and yet they live extremely well. Their children flourish and their bones and teeth are strong. They have diets rich in vegetables and therefore in vitamins, minerals and proteins. Finally they convinced me to try this novel approach to eating not only for myself but for my son.

My son was demonstrating at the time some of the symptoms of a dairy intolerance: fidgety, argumentative, unable to concentrate, circles under his eyes despite enough sleep. He complained often of feeling bloated and uncomfortable. We took him off all dairy, including milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, all dairy by-products including those found in processed and tinned foods.

He complained. My naturopaths explained to me that when we have an intolerance to a food, it is the very food we most crave. We are, to some small degree, addicted to that food. My son was not different. He whined, complained and argued. Then when all else failed he tried to negotiate to get this food group back into his diet.

Around this time we visited the naturopaths who heard his complaints. Their response?

Put him in a room with a tape recorder where he was encouraged to explain his situation to his ten year old heart's content. He did and they still have the tape, a long monologue in which he accuses his mother of having come under the spell of these strange people who call themselves doctors!

You may have a similar response to the news that dairy can be harmful to you. Yet try for a period of time, say three or four weeks, a diet which excludes dairy and see how you feel. For some people the absence of dairy results in improved digestion and elimination, reduced bloating and gas after all meals, and improved energy. With these changes comes, of course, a more happy and relaxed disposition.

Food is actually a personal thing. We need to take the time to experiment with what works for us, in our own bodies. For many of us, this includes a diet rich in calcium full broccoli and other vegetables, and low in dairy products.

When we first began this new way to eat, alternatives to dairy were few. Now, we see soya and rice products abounding. Their taste and flexibility were restricted, to say the least. Now, with improvements in the last ten years these products taste good and can be used in almost any recipe that calls for dairy.

Try a dairy free diet. See the changes for yourself.