Is Dairy-Free Diet the Key to Weight Loss? Here's What Experts Have to Say

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For lactose-intolerant people, going dairy-free is a necessity because according to BBC, cow's milk allergy and other lactose-intolerance symptoms are an immune response to the proteins found in the milk and its by-products.

However, for those who can tolerate lactose and dairy, it isn't such a bad thing to skip in a diet. In fact, milk and other dairy products are packed with protein, an essential nutrient that is required to build strong muscles. Milk also contains calcium that keeps bones strong. So why are people now ditching dairy?

For some, limiting or skipping dairy altogether helps with weight loss. Take Khloe Kardashian, for example, who has lost more than 35 pounds in 2015 to reveal a body transformation that's enough to get anyone inspired to lose weight.

"I always thought that almond milk would be disgusting. I never even tried it, but I was adamant that I would hate it. I learned a lot about dairy and what it does to your system and I cut it out. Then I tried almond milk and found that I loved it," Kardashian told New Beauty Magazine. "In a month and a half, I lost 11 pounds just from not eating dairy, without doing anything else different, and that totally blew my mind."

Dairy-free diets also bring a number of health benefits, Shape reports. These include less bloating, clearer skin, and increased energy. However, not everyone is convinced that cutting out dairy entirely will promise lasting results. In fact, research reveals that dairy should be in one's diet and exercise program. Women's Health reports that according to a review published in the "International Journal of Obesity" showed that those who consumed the most dairy in a calorie-restricted diet lost 1.6 pounds more from fat than their counterparts who consumed a low-dairy diet.

"Dairy is a nutrient powerhouse full of protein, healthy fat, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and B6 and B12 vitamins," all of which promote better health, healthy metabolisms, and good energy levels, Dr. Danielle Starin, director of nutrition at Nutritionix nutrition database, told Women's Health. She explained that protein and fat from dairy help keep one fuller for longer, thereby keeping you from grabbing an extra bite or even overeating during the next meal.

The best thing to keep in mind, however, is that not all bodies are the same, and what works for Kardashian may or may not work for the regular person. Keep in mind that aside from going dairy-free, Kardashian also has a trainer at her disposal and spends hours at the gym to maintain her figure. It's best to consult one's doctor for the best nutrition options for losing a certain amount of weight and what type of exercise to pair this with for optimal, long-lasting results.