Going Dairy Free 101

Going Dairy Free 101

·    DO NOT USE COFFEE MATE!  It says it’s dairy free, but it has milk protein in it!

·    If a product says it’s lactose free, it is not indeed dairy free, and usually contains milk protein (casein or whey).

·    Read all of the ingredients on a product label, even if it has an allergen statement, which is a statement at the bottom of the ingredients of a product that reads “MAY CONTAIN:”

·    These are all of the names milk/milk protein can go by on a product label:

▪  Acidophilus Milk ▪  Ammonium Caseinate ▪  Butter ▪  Butter Fat ▪  Butter Oil ▪  Butter Solids ▪  Buttermilk ▪  Buttermilk Powder ▪  Calcium Caseinate ▪  Casein ▪  Caseinate (in general) ▪  Cheese (All animal-based) ▪  Condensed Milk ▪  Cottage Cheese ▪  Cream ▪  Curds ▪  Custard ▪  Delactosed Whey ▪  Demineralized Whey ▪  Dry Milk Powder ▪  Dry Milk Solids ▪  Evaporated Milk

▪  Ghee ▪  Goat Milk ▪  Half & Half ▪  Hydrolyzed Casein ▪  Hydrolyzed Milk Protein ▪  Iron Caseinate ▪  Lactalbumin ▪  Lactoferrin ▪  Lactoglobulin ▪  Lactose ▪  Lactulose ▪  Low-Fat Milk ▪  Magnesium Caseinate ▪  Malted Milk ▪  Milk ▪  Milk Derivative ▪  Milk Fat ▪  Milk Powder ▪  Milk Protein ▪  Milk Solids ▪  Natural Butter Flavor ▪  Nonfat Milk

▪  Nougat ▪  Paneer ▪  Potassium Caseinate ▪  Pudding ▪  Recaldent ▪  Rennet Casein ▪  Skim Milk ▪  Sodium Caseinate ▪  Sour Cream ▪  Sour Milk Solids ▪  Sweetened Condensed Milk ▪  Sweet Whey ▪  Whey ▪  Whey Powder ▪  Whey Protein Concentrate ▪  Whey Protein Hydrolysate ▪  Whipped Cream ▪  Whipped Topping ▪  Whole Milk ▪  Yogurt ▪  Zinc Caseinate

Source: http://www.godairyfree.org/dairy-free-grocery-shopping-guide/dairy-ingredient-list-2

·    Goat, Sheep, and any other mamallian milk is usually not safe for most kids, they are molecularly similar.

·    If after being on a strict dairy free diet for 2 weeks or more and you have seen no change, you may consider going soy free as well.  A large percentage of children who are allergic to dairy are also allergic to soy!

·    Using google to look for dairy free products to replace your old dairy full products is a great idea!  There are A LOT of alternatives out there!

·    Dairy free does not mean you can’t eat anything, it just requires a little more thought!

·    You CAN eat out at restaurants!  You HAVE to tell your server/order taker that you have a SEVERE dairy allergy (even though it’s probably not you that has it, they won’t understand the whole explanation about breastfeeding) and you cannot have anything with dairy AND butter.  Then ask to speak to a manager or the chef who will help you order.  I also find that at a restaurant, it helps to call ahead and speak to a manager and clearly explain your needs to them, then they know you’re coming.  I also look at the menu online if it’s available and try to pick out a few items that may be dairy free to ask the chef/manager about!

·    The book and blog Allergic Girl by Sloane miller is a great resource for how to live a full life without eating allergens.

·    Godairyfree.org is also a great resource! See their grocery shopping guide here: http://www.godairyfree.org/dairy-free-grocery-shopping-guide/dairy-ingredient-list-2