Substituting for dairy?

[sajia_kabir]

 I've been examining my eating habits and I've realized that the only two food items which I require to be of actual dairy are Greek yogurt and cheese. I prefer coconut milk to dairy in soups and curries, and while I drink a lot of milk tea and chocolate milk (actually instant coffee latte, but I'm thinking of switching to chocolate milk), I don't actually require real dairy, I could just use a substitute as long as it didn't feel too anemic. So would I get any actual health benefit to restricting dairy to yogurt and cheese and using substitutes for everything else? The biggest concern for me is the expense, but I guess I could always keep an eye out for sales, and at least I can store dairy substitute in the pantry. I'd also like to know about the merits of butter versus non-hydrogenated olive oil margarine. I'm not lactose intolerant as such, but I would like to reduce my consumption of animal products to those I can't live without. Though I've decided not to get soy milk if I do decide to use dairy substitute.

Comments

[buria_q]

i guess almond and rice milk are non-soy options for stuff requiring that consistency (smoothies and such), depending on if they are easy to find in your area. and i guess you'd have to get your protein elsewhere, maybe stuff like quinoa and daal. haven't figured out butter yet.

[sajia_kabir]

I'm still planning on eating meat! But again only poultry and meat dishes which I really enjoy. I do love quinoa, and though I'm tired of daal I've been exploring bean dishes from non-desi cultures.

[buria_q]

almond, broccoli and okra have some calcium.

off topic, but i wonder if the depression, anemia and heavy periods are due to vitamin deficiency.

[buria_q]

tho the anemia is genetic, like it is for a lot of south asians.

[sajia_kabir]

I actually don't have heavy periods right now! Did I mention having anemia, I don't recall that, I've never been diagnosed. Although you're right, I do need to work on getting more vitamins and minerals.

[buria_q]

sorry for confusion, i meant myself. i was wondering if my own nutrition is imbalanced or something.