Dairy Question [View all]

Hello all, I thought there may be several here with similar diet habits that I might find someone who could relate similar experience or have some facts or hints on where to find fact.

I follow a vegetarian diet, I don't really try to be vegan however I don't typically purchase dairy for myself, I've even cut way back on the yoghurt in recent months. Growing up and early adulthood I ate copious amounts of cheese, I really enjoy it when I have it, but last few years I have it only rarely now.

I have found that when I go long stretches without dairy and then have some cheese or ice cream or something the next day my stomach is a little upset, nothing to bad but noticeable. And in particular the last example, it's been possibly more than 6 months since I've had any dairy, longest period yet, and yesterday I had a large slice of pizza that was very cheesy and this morning the discomfort is very pronounced.

There's no history to my knowledge of lactose intolerance in my family. Is there any truth to the idea that if you don't eat dairy a sort of lactose intolerance can develop?