by LuAnn » Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:53 pm
A lot of good suggestions have been made, and references given to resources that are very persuasive tools for disuading one to use cheese and other dairy. (For me, perhaps the statement by Robert Cohen that Dairy (read, cheese) is liquid meat!.) However, in addition to other points that have already been shared, there is another element that I don't believe has been brought up in this thread.
Forgive me, I haven't learned yet how to use the "Quote" feature when posting, but calla said: "I realized that cheese is like a drug to me."
For some, cheese truly CAN be experienced "like a drug", causing literal addiction! If possible, read what Dr. Barnard says in the chapter, "Opiates on a Cracker: The Cheese Seduction" in his book, Breaking the Food Seduction. I can't begin to cover it all here, but will try to touch on some of the high points.
He reasons that cheese's attraction is not mainly due to taste or smell, but its opiates! Milk has been found to have traces of morphine and codeine. The protein, casein (mentioned in other comments), also present in milk, releases additional opiates when broken apart in digestion!
BTW, CHEESE contains far more casein than is found in cows milk.
In individuals sensitive to opiates, cheese can literally BE ADDICTING. My understanding is that these individuals may actually feel physiologically driven to seek one cheese "hit" after another, in order to experience the pleasurable sensations caused by the opiates.
If this is the case, then in addition to viewing and listening all of the very persuasive materials listed above, some individuals may need to deal with cheese and other foods containing addictive properties (sugar, chocolate, and meat) using some of the same methods used in freeing a drug addict of his/her addiction. I am not a therapist, but here are a few suggestions gathered from my own study:
*Acknowledge that you have a problem
*Ask for help.
*Look for support
*Educate yourself as to the dangers of the addicting substance/food. *Consider the benefits of being free of the addicting substance/food
*Make sure a healthy/fiber rich food program is in place to deal with normal cravings. (All of these are being done in Calla's case)!
*Obtain adequate rest
*Obtain adequate exercies
*Reduce stress as much as possible
*Clear the environment COMPLETELY of anything that might remind the you of an attraction to the addicting substance/food
*Find alternate foods and/or activities that may fulfil similar physical or emotional needs
*Seek a power higher than your own to help you conquer the addicting substance/food
*Give the process TIME!
*Avoid situations where you know the addicting substance/food will be present
Kudos, Calla, for already doing several of these! If you are one of those sensitive to the opiates in cheese, I believe you're well on the road to recovery!