One of the other Big 8 Allergens is of course…DAIRY! Since my “What To Avoid With A Soy Allergy” post got some great responses and requests for posts on the other allergens, I thought I would do one for each. Again, a major hope for this blog is to make it a safe resources for allergy-free advice, tips, and healthy recipes. I don’t have a dairy allergy, but I do not consume any form of it (i.e. all my recipes are dairy-free!) I’ve talked about the ethical and logical reasons as to why I don’t here!
On to the important parts. A dairy (or “milk”) allergy is different than lactose intolerance, don’t get them confused. Lactose intolerance is a very prevalent disorder where the body is lacking in the Lactase enzyme, which breaks down the sugar is dairy (lactose). This is just another fact as to why humans were not made to consume another mammals milk. This intolerance ranges in severity and really differs from person to person. You may be fine with ice cream, but a glass of milk will kill you. Thankfully, there are products that are lactose-free and OTC meds like Lactaid to help with digestion if you want to continue consuming dairy.
Just like soy, dairy allergies are very common in young children and can be grown out of. Cow “dairy” is the biggest culprit, but the allergy can also include milk from goats, sheep, and other animals. Since this is an allergy, symptoms will appear after a dairy product is ingested. That can include mild to severe reactions. Hives, trouble breathing, digestive upset (diarrhea, other gross stuff, etc.), coughing/wheezing, rash, runny nose or eyes, or anaphylaxis, which will require immediate use of an Epi-Pen and 911.
Here is what to avoid if you have a dairy allergy so you WON’T have to deal with the above reactions!
Again, the red flags are things you must avoid at all costs and the yellow flags are things that you need to be extremely cautious about. They may contain dairy, they may not. That means you must ask questions, contact companies/brands, and read labels! Even canned tuna can contain a dairy derivative as a preservative! (Just like that sneaky soy!) Even products that claim to be non-dairy, may in fact contain dairy. Some cheese alternatives may not have whey, lactose, or milk solids, but contain casein. So you must be extremely cautious when you first start your allergy journey and are getting used to things.
Just like a soy allergy, a dairy or milk allergy can be easily navigated. There are SO many alternatives now and 1 to 1 swaps. It really isn’t complicated to switch out dairy which is a good thing! And with the declining tread of dairy and milk consumption in the first place, there are so many new dairy-free products popping up everywhere you look…and they taste damn good! Take almond milk for instance…probably the greatest thing ever! Here is just a sampling of alternatives for you to try out!
Homemade Plant-Based Milk (so easy to make with a good blender)
Silk – Non-Dairy Milks (Almond, Coconut, Cashew, Soy), Creamers, Yogurts, etc.
So Delicious – Non-Dairy Milks (Coconut, Almond, Cashew), Creamers, Yogurts, Culinary Milks, Ice Creams, Other Frozen Treats, etc.
Nutritional Yeast (best natural “cheese” alternative!)
Cashew Cheese (also a great option to make!)
Daiya – Non-Dairy Cheeses
Earth Balance – Non-Dairy Butters, Spreads
Coconut Butter (also a great natural “butter” alternative!)
Follow Your Heart – Non-Dairy Sour Cream, Cheese, Cream Cheese, etc.
Dream – Non-Dairy Milks, Ice Creams, Gelatos, Chocolates
Equal Exchange – Chocolates
There are so many brands out there and great products, all for easy swapping! Try a few and find the brands you love! When you have food allergies or a restricted diet, you have to be willing to try things (multiple times) before giving up. I know for me, the best almond milk is Silk’s unsweetened original. It’s completely safe (allergy-free) and carrageenan free too 😉 You might like a different brand, you may opt for always making homemade. What ever makes you happy and safe is the way to go! Allergy-free living is manageable once you have the knowledge and understanding that you health is of utmost importance (not that fact that you have to give up your favorite ice cream!).
So tell me:
+ Do you have a true dairy allergy?
+ Are you one of the millions who suffer from lactose intolerance?
+ What’s you’re favorite dairy-free alternative?
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Tara says
February 25, 2016 at 8:59 pmI am so thankful to have discovered this post today. I took my dd (12) to the GI doctor today, and he sent her home on a 3-week dairy-elimination diet. If that doesn’t help to alleviate her tummy and joint pain issues, we’re to move on to a gluten-elimination diet. So, I am off to check out your post about that!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
February 26, 2016 at 12:50 amI hope I can help in anyway! And You can to the right place! (Gluten is my specialty, haha, so let me know if you have any questions there!) Sending you all the best!! xoxo
AllergyEasy says
July 22, 2015 at 1:24 amI never thought the list can be this long. I have a friend who got dairy allergy and I always tease her that it’s fine to eat this one or that one because it only has processed dairy product. Now that I have read this, I won’t do it again to her.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
July 22, 2015 at 7:40 amThat’s horrible.
Sharon Rowe says
April 12, 2015 at 11:02 amI didn’t realize there was so much hidden diary!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
April 12, 2015 at 12:57 pmYes, sadly!
Stacey says
April 6, 2015 at 12:34 pmMy youngest is allergic to dairy and as I’m nursing him, I have to be dairy free as well. I did learn that some movie theater popcorn is dairy free! Also, I make my own “parmesan shaker cheese” using cashews and nutritional yeast (as well as garlic and onion powders and sea salt).
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
April 6, 2015 at 1:58 pmNutritional yeast and cashews are magic foods! My favorites too!
kimmythevegan says
April 5, 2015 at 6:55 pmI had to learn all of this a long time ago, but can certainly appreciate this post. Very useful! And the options for dairy-free diets are so much more varied than 5-years ago.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
April 5, 2015 at 7:08 pmFor every food allergy/restrictions, the options just keep growing and becoming safer!
Deborah Davis says
April 4, 2015 at 12:30 amMy favorite dairy-free alternative is nut milk. It’s so healthy, rich and delicious. This comprehensive post is an invaluable reference for dairy allergy sufferers. Thank you for sharing what to avoid if you have a dairy allergy with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop! I’m pinning and sharing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
April 4, 2015 at 8:14 amCan’t beat a glass of cold almond milk!
Erika says
April 3, 2015 at 1:57 pmI just recently found noticed that everytime I drink milk or something containing dairy I feel bloated, so I stopped eating and drinking dairy foods and now I feel much better 🙂 Thank you for sharing this interesting post in the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop link party 🙂
Erika
http://whaterikawears.com/
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
April 3, 2015 at 2:17 pmOur bodies weren’t meant to have it in the first place! So keep up the dairy-free no matter!
Ashley Mullen says
April 2, 2015 at 8:18 amMy three children have suffered from milk protein allergy (the inability to break it down). My eldest was 2 1/2 yrs and then fine, my middle was 1 yr then fine with milk but my little guy is still suffering at 17 months (today!).
Different things upset his tummy and prolonged amounts give him a rash.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
April 2, 2015 at 8:36 amHopefully he will grow out of it! It seems like he will! XOXO
rachel says
April 1, 2015 at 5:27 pmWow. Very informattive post! Thank you for sharing. Dairy is in SO MANY things!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
April 1, 2015 at 6:04 pmThanks Rachel!
Kelly says
April 1, 2015 at 7:13 amGreat information and graphic, Rebecca. Thanks!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
April 1, 2015 at 7:45 amThank you Kelly!
Alissa says
April 1, 2015 at 1:33 amJust realized that I’m lactose intolerant. My stomach always cramp when i drink milk but it’s okay though cos I don’t like milk. haha. Great tips!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
April 1, 2015 at 7:46 amAnd that’s why everyone should love almond milk 😉 XOXO
Alyssa @ Simply Quinoa says
March 31, 2015 at 8:56 pmI love this infographic! It’s crazy how dairy hides in so many things (and it’s so unnecessary too!). I just wish they would replace everything with nut milks 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
April 1, 2015 at 7:46 amHahaha! Those are my thoughts exactly!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
March 31, 2015 at 8:34 pmI drank milk growing up and I ate so much frozen yoghurt as a kid and teenager, but once I went off to college I stopped buying dairy products and gradually my body just seemed to stop being able to digest it as well as before. I wouldn’t say I’m intolerant, just sensitive. Sheep’s milk seems to be okay for me (including hard sheep cheeses), but give me anything creamy and my body just won’t be able to deal. I save dairy for very special occasions- like gelato in Italy- otherwise I’m mostly dairy-free! Nut milks and nut cheeses are my favourite!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
April 1, 2015 at 7:47 amYea, if you stop consuming it and try to go back, it will be even worse on the body! (Aren’t you vegan….?)
Farrah says
March 31, 2015 at 7:15 pmI don’t have a dairy allergy, but I am slightly lactose intolerant, so I only have dairy products in small amounts. I mostly grew up on soy milk! :O I tend to enjoy the alternatives more anyway! :]
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 7:25 pmRight! Nothing beats a plant-based milk!
Felecia Efriann says
March 31, 2015 at 4:27 pmI have a true dairy allergy and I like coconut or almond milk as an alternative. It is hard because I like and enjoy dairy products. Thanks for sharing this list of things to avoid. I’m curious, what medications could contain dairy? It seems like dairy products are put into so many different things.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 4:43 pmReally, but the alternatives are so much better! I guess if you don’t have ethical issues with dairy then it’s harder with an allergy and being “forced”.
They are. Just like soy, gluten, eggs, any medication can contain a derivative.
Shashi RunninSrilankan says
March 31, 2015 at 2:12 pmSo much awesome info in one post, Rebecca! I am lactose intolerant – but having a dairy allergy sounds like it could be downright scary!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 2:34 pmThank you dear!
Downright dangerous if not avoided properly!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
March 31, 2015 at 1:47 pmSuch a great piece of information. I wouldn’t have though about tagatose!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 2:33 pmI know! Me either! And thank you 🙂
Linda @ Veganosity says
March 31, 2015 at 1:33 pmGreat post Rebecca. Enjoy Life is one of my favorite companies. They make excellent vegan products.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 1:45 pmThanks Linda!
A little too much sugar for my own reasons to buy though 😉
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
March 31, 2015 at 12:39 pmNo dairy allergy but lactose intolerance since birth (at least according to my mom!) I lived on lactaid drops and pills growing up but honestly at this point I can handle some half and half in my coffee now and then or even ice cream on occasion as long as no long runs are planned.
I’ve known children with severe milk allergy and it’s scary stuff, just touching something that had had cheese on it recently but wasn’t thoroughly washed would set off a dangerous reaction.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 12:51 pmHaha, that could be a running problem for sure 😉 It was such a pain when I was taking the lactaid. It’s easier to just be dairy-free!
Food allergies are SOOOOOOO scary and important to be knowledgeable about, even if we don’t have them! My little cousin is severely allergic to dairy (since birth).
Heather @ FITaspire says
March 31, 2015 at 11:30 amI am lactose intolerant, but it’s actually a lot better than it used to be. As ironic as this is, my reaction is pretty mild after I started some dairy again (post-vegan). I don’t drink milk, but cheese doesn’t effect me nearly as much as it used to – if at all!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 11:33 amThat’s what I hear. It can change and you can be okay with certain amounts and what not when you have lactose intolerance!
Lora says
March 31, 2015 at 10:56 amThank you for this!!! I tend to break out from dairy (so obviously have some kind of intolerance) and need to be better about watching what I eat–I have a photoshoot in April!! Thank you! 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 11:30 amDairy just isn’t good for humans! Stick to dairy-free always 😉
Jane says
March 31, 2015 at 10:42 amProven to be 99% intolerance to alpha-lactalbumin, vanilla, cinnamon so ice cream, hot chocolate, latte, chai tea etc makes me ill within 30 mins. Always been like this. Also highly intolerant to tomatoes (get chest pain) and egg whites
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 11:31 amAt least you now know what to watch out for!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
March 31, 2015 at 10:35 amYes, born with a true dairy allergy which is now an EoE type dairy allergy – not fun (the reactions) – but love dairy-free (naturally)! I can’t pick a favorite – there are too many! Oh, but that really bad for me cashew ice cream is out of this world!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 11:28 amI now I will never ever eat dairy again and I don’t miss it! Haha! It’s just gross anyway!
The alternative are all so amazing! And I’ve GOT to try cashew ice cream! AH! My favorite nut!
Sheryl says
March 31, 2015 at 10:22 amThis is a great list! Dairy allergies, any allergies really, are very serious. Thanks for sharing this information.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 11:31 amThey are! And all we can do is bring awareness!
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige says
March 31, 2015 at 10:10 amLove this graphic. I pinned it for my dairy-free clients!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 11:32 amYay! Thank you so much Paige! XOXO
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
March 31, 2015 at 9:03 amI don’t have an allergy, I just stopped drinking it for the cows, but I’m sure if I took a sip of dairy milk now I’d feel pretty awful afterwards!
I really love the Califia Farms brand of almond milk. Just tried it for the first time and I can see why people are into it! But honestly I’m not too picky about my almond milk, as long as its unsweetened and with as few additives as possible 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 9:18 amI will always and forever be Silk loyal! They were the first and one of the only to be carageenan and gross stuff free!
GiGi Eats says
March 31, 2015 at 9:01 amI hate being allergic to dairy sometimes because all those Whey protein powders sound so dang good! LOL – birthday cake?!?!? Why doesn’t that flavor come in the VEGAN form?!?!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 9:18 amIt will…soon enough!
Emily @My Healthyish Life says
March 31, 2015 at 8:40 amI don’t have a dairy allergy but I do enjoy some of the dairy-free alternatives, like Silk and Enjoy Life products. I’m not even sure if I’m “officially” lactose intolerant but I know I don’t do well with dairy.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 8:49 amI have a sensitivity to it. When I had a lactose test (during the time of trying to figure what was wrong before my Celiac), my numbers were “weird”. Ever since then I just stopped and I would never consume dairy again anyway for many reasons! …..plus….Almond milk is my jam!
Annmarie says
March 31, 2015 at 8:35 amAwesome info, Rebecca! Pinned for later so I can reference it if I ever need to- my sister will also find this especially helpful 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 8:51 amI hope you WON’T need to, haha (unless for vegan reasons!), but I hope it does help her!
Lauren @ Eating with a Purpose says
March 31, 2015 at 7:53 amThanks for this post- just yesterday I had to go over this with a Mom who was excited to give lactose free yogurt to her son with a milk protein allergy. Will definitely be directing others to your post 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 8:52 amO no! Haha, that won’t cut it! Glad I could help! XOXO
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
March 31, 2015 at 7:46 amWoah! Kinda scary how veiled it is as an ingredient! Diacetyl would have never been something that said dairy to me. Thank you for creating this useful resource!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
March 31, 2015 at 8:00 amThanks Katie! Good allergies really open your eyes to all this!