There have been several moments in my life where I wondered whether becoming a vegetarian would be doable for me. I never enjoyed meat such as beef so much, but in general I felt bad about supporting the meat industry and the suffering of the animals.

After coming across shocking footage out of a pig farm in my home country (The Netherlands) my decision to no longer eat meat followed quickly after. Simultaneously, me and my boyfriend started doing research and watching documentaries regarding the health benefits of eating a plant-based diet, so at the time both of us didn't only become vegetarians, we went fully plant-based.

Within the first few months I unexpectedly began to notice I produce a lot less earwax, my asthma resided and I felt like my allergies (hey fever, dust mites, cat hair) became less. Over the course of the following two years both me and my boyfriend occasionally ate dairy (for example when going out to dinner or eating at friends or family) when it was incorporated into a meal and we didn't want to be 'difficult'.

The longer I go without dairy, the more intense my body reacts the same evening or the days after (earwax accumulates rapidly, stuffy sinuses / allergy reactions, bloatedness, pretty bad cramps of the gut). I have reached the point where I'm 100 percent convinced dairy is bad for anybody. Cheese always used to me 'my thing', but now I simply won't eat it anymore. It's not worth compromising my health for - and knowing how eliminating all animal products benefits the environment and reduces the animal cruelty reinforces my choice to eat plant-based every single day.

Please note: Do not use this personal story in place of proper medical advice - always consult a healthcare professional.

World Plant Milk Day is calling on people to sign our 7-day dairy-free challenge. Already ditched dairy? Nominate your friends and family to take part! Find out more here