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Contents

The Dark Side of Dairy
A guide to healthier shopping and eating

Cow and CalfA little about Viva! and the VVF...

Viva! is Europe’s largest vegetarian and vegan group that campaigns to end animal suffering and cruelty. It exposes conditions in factory farms and runs The Dark Side of Dairy campaign – including a ground breaking report and film on the conditions of modern dairy cows and the fate of their calves. It produces books and Guides on all the main veggie issues and a well respected and enjoyable magazine, Viva!LIFE.

The Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation is the UK’s premier nutrition and health charity – educating the public about how to have a healthy diet that promotes well being, instead of disease. It runs the campaign White Lies – including a scientific report on the impact of dairy consumption on our health and how dairy is linked to many diseases – from eczema and osteoporosis to heart disease and diabetes. The VVF can answer any queries relating to diet and health; and produces fact sheets and an excellent mag, VeggieHealth.

Both groups run a merchandise and book service (offering everything from dairy-free chocolates to lots of vegan recipe books and how to fight diseases such as osteoporosis and breast and prostate cancers through giving up dairy) via the web and mail order. For free Gifts for Life and Books for Life catalogues, contact Viva! and for the Vegetarian Shop catalogue, contact the VVF. Or browse their web shops (Gifts for Life)(Vegetarian Shop).

So you’re thinking about ditching dairy? Well done!  Not only should you feel better, look better and reduce your chances of several major diseases, but you will also help animals and the planet.

This booklet is here to guide you through your path to a dairy-free diet.  It’s really not difficult – so long as you want to do it! 

What’s a Vegan?

A person that tends to be much healthier than their dairy and meat eating counterparts! Why? Because a vegan eats no animal products - red and white meats, fish and other water creatures, dairy and insect products (such as honey and cochineal) or eggs – that means no damaging animal protein, animal fats or cholesterol in their diet. However, they can pack their diet with a wide range of healthy, disease busting foods – high in vegetable protein, fibre, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and good fats and include fresh fruit and veg, pulses (peas beans and lentils), wholegrains (pastas, breads, rice etc), nuts and seeds, herbs and spices and vegetable oils (esp. flaxseed and virgin olive oil).


How to be dairy-free
Compiled by: Jane Easton, Editor: Juliet Gellatley, Photos: Corin Jeavons, Food stylist: Lesley Jeavons. © Viva! and the Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation 2005