Click on the image above to see the Chubby Charlie.

Dairy products, which contain no fiber or complex carbohydrates at all, are about as high-fat as they come: A glass of milk is 49 percent fat; Swiss and cheddar cheeses are more than 65 percent fat; ice cream and yogurt are almost 50 percent fat; even "low-fat" milk and "nonfat" cottage cheese, which many consumers mistakenly believe to be fat-free, are more than 20 percent fat . The dairy industry tries to deceive us—labeling milk " semi-skimmed ," when, in fact, more than 30 percent of that milk’s calories come from fat, or labeling cottage cheese "non fat," when one-fifth of its calories come from fat!

Adults aren’t the only ones putting on the pounds: The number of overweight kids has more than doubled in the last three decades and is now at "epidemic" levels, according to nutritionists. Two 1995 studies published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that meat and dairy foods are the main sources of fat in children’s diets.

In his world-famous book, Baby and Child Care , Dr. Benjamin Spock wrote, "I no longer recommend dairy products. The essential fats that are needed for brain development are found in vegetable oils. Milk is very low in these essential fats and high in the saturated fats that encourage artery blockage and weight problems as children grow."

After reviewing 28 studies investigating the relationship between fat intake and weight, researchers discovered that the rate of obesity has increased in nations where fat consumption has risen. Their findings, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , also showed that simply by switching to a low-fat diet, people can decrease their caloric intake by up to 30 percent.

Dump the meat and dairy, and you’re likely to lose those unwanted pounds!

For more information on dairy-free weight loss, please visit the following links:

Tips on using a vegan diet to lose weight

Expert advice, articles, discussion groups, and much more

New Year’s Diet Resolutions: Beating the Odds, by Neal D. Barnard, M.D

Tips on permanent weight loss from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

One woman’s story of her journey from titanic to trim

The Great Debate: High v. Low Protein Diets, by John A. McDougall, M.D.

When you put a "milk moustache" on your lips, you are likely to add extra inches to your hips. Each year in Britain, we consume on average double our own body weight in dairy produce, approximately 105 kg per person. Considering all the dairy products and meat being eaten, it's no wonder that more and more Britons are fighting the battle of the bulge. In fact, more than 50 percent of the UK adult population is now overweight, putting them at greater risk of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and early death. According to medical experts, obese people are three times more likely to die prematurely than those at a healthy weight.

If you’re ready to cut the fat out of your diet, dumping dairy is a good first step. For delicious dairy-free recipes, click here .