Do you eat dairy? Why / why not?

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I have seen so much conflicting information on the health benefits or hazards of dairy, and cow's milk in particular. For example:

- cow's milk is supposed to be more natural than milk alternatives BUT is it natural to feed humans on calf food?
- yogurt, butter and cheeses are important foods in European / US / Indian cultural traditions
- it is a useful source of protein and fat-soluble vitamins in a vegetarian diet
- it is an important source of calcium
- some say dairy is harmful due to the prevalence of lactose intolerances
- some say dairy is harmful because the casein can get into the blood/brain and affect dopamine
- unpasteurised dairy is touted for health benefits BUT may contain dangerous bacteria
- (something I just discovered) even pasteurised dairy can contain MAP (Mycobacterium Avium ss Paratuberculosis) which is associated with crohn's disease, type 1 diabetes, and other autoimmune diseases
- it may contain traces of antibiotics, growth hormones, etc.
- what about the welfare of the dairy cows?
- Environmental and climate change considerations?

What types of dairy or alternatives do you eat/drink and why?
Which ideas about the benefits / harms do you believe?
All responses are valid, no judgement, and no right or wrong answers. This is just a discussion for interest.

(Personally, I have always eaten dairy as it was part of the culture I grew up in and I love cheese, but I am considering removing milk from my diet for health reasons. I'm confused over the health/harm claims and still undecided which types of dairy I will continue to eat.)

I would rather put up with the effects of lactose or other dairy intolerances than give up milk.
A cheeseless diet sounds awful.
The stuff may be designed by nature to double the weight of a calf in 3 weeks, but no way could I give it up (although I have tried switching to A2 milk, smart milk etc. to see if it changed anything, but found it didn't.)
One of the best things about travelling through USA was coffee with half and half. It even made up for US coffee! (Now we just need something to make up for US beer.)

I buy oat milk and almond milk when they go on sale, but feel they are much too expensive otherwise. My favorite is Chobani extra creamy oat milk for my coffee.

I discovered I had become lactose intolerant a couple of years ago, which surprised me because I always thought of myself as a tolerant person accepting those of different races, religions and sexualities.

I went through a phase where I bought lactose-free milk, but that stuff is extremely expensive, and I cannot justify paying for it.

I began buying lactase pills, which I chase whenever I drink the cheap stuff. I buy a gallon of skim milk for $2.85, and if I am drinking a cup or more, will chase with a lactase pill. It works and is cheaper than the alternatives.

Not lactose intolerant, but my gut has some reaction to dairy that may or may not trigger overlapping nonallergic rhinitis symptoms.

Tragically, a lot of food I indulge in has dairy.
I don't necessarily like milk and cheese itself, but more like stuff that happens to have those as an ingredients.

In taste preference, I want them creamy and whole.
I don't like anything that tastes too watered down. I prefer plenty of dairy based stuff sweetened.

My main issue is more to do with how my body might process sugar...
Thus anything with glucose may or may not affect my cognition if taken excessively.

It doesn't help that I stress eat or/and emotionally eat...


I don't know.
I'd rather pray that I didn't inherited the diabetic gene from my father's side.

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Im vegan and the types of food I will eat is limited by sensory issues in that I can only tolerate very dry items.

I am also lactose intolerant and very sensitive to additives / chemicals in food - something that is though to be linked to my MCAS diagnosis.

Due to my lifelong highly restricted eating pattern I was diagnosed with Avoidant Restrictive Eating Disorder (ARFID) a couple of years ago.

I also find being around other people when they are eating unpleasant and so generally avoid it.

My pattern is to restrict myself to just a handful of food items. My current selection consists of:

Meal Replacement Bars (Plenny Bars - 100% nutrition)
Raw almond nuts
Crackers
Dry corn snacks

I drink tea and coffee - both black. I did try various milk substitutes such as oat/almond/coconut milk etc but they ruined the taste. This was mainly in tea as I have always preferred coffee black.

I endeavour to consume 2K calories each day but sometimes struggle to achieve this. I treat 1.5K as an absolute minimum.

Due to all of this I never eat dairy produce.

Yes, I eat dairy. Milk, cheese, ice cream, you name it. Because I can eat them.

I wonder if a life without ice cream is really worth living?

Yes I eat dairy. I can't conceive of not eating dairy.

My housemate insists on having UHT lactose free milk. It doesn't bother me so I have it as well. On my cereal and in tea and coffee.

There's no way I could give up ice cream. Strawberry and caramel are my favourite flavours.

I'll have cheese in sandwiches and in various cooked dishes.

About once a fortnight I'll eat a small tub of yoghurt.

its part of my coffee fix