Is anyone Dairy-Free ???

[ishereal]

I'm beginning a dairy free diet today to help my LO and was wondering who else is on the same diet. I was also wondering what to look on food labels because I am sure it might not always say "milk" but maybe a byproduct of it

[veganf]

Here is a link that might help:
http://www.godairyfree.org/Food-to-E...ient-List.html

[Ironica]

Starting January 9, 2006, the US labeling laws changed so that the top 8 allergens (which dairy is one) have to specifically say in plain language if they're in a product. So, if something has "sodium caseinate" in it, it will say (a milk derivative) afterward, or "contains milk ingredients" at the end of the list.

When you're getting used to the dairy-free life, you really have to check EVERYTHING. You'll be surprised... things like hot dogs and barbecue potato chips will have dairy ingredients! (Not *all* of them... just some brands.) Also, some people are better at reading ingredients lists than others. A friend of mine just gave up on packaged food altogether because she was *always* messing up; my mom can read an ingredients list all the way through and totally miss that it contains something; but I can scan without even reading and pick up key words every time. So, go easy on yourself if you have trouble catching everything... it's a learning curve, you'll get better at it.

[Amandamanda]

I'm starting dairy free tomorrow (or i guess today) to see if it helps my dd's reflux/eczema.

I'm not POSITIVE that she has reflux but she does projectile vomit a few of her feeds a day and goes through general fussy/colicy times.

although her eczema is now gone (thanks to a cream from her pedi.. which she was on for 2 days and it cleared up and hasn't come back since) i wonder if a dairy allergy is the cause.

[ishereal]

Originally Posted by Ironica

Starting January 9, 2006, the US labeling laws changed so that the top 8 allergens (which dairy is one) have to specifically say in plain language if they're in a product. So, if something has "sodium caseinate" in it, it will say (a milk derivative) afterward, or "contains milk ingredients" at the end of the list.

When you're getting used to the dairy-free life, you really have to check EVERYTHING. You'll be surprised... things like hot dogs and barbecue potato chips will have dairy ingredients! (Not *all* of them... just some brands.) Also, some people are better at reading ingredients lists than others. A friend of mine just gave up on packaged food altogether because she was *always* messing up; my mom can read an ingredients list all the way through and totally miss that it contains something; but I can scan without even reading and pick up key words every time. So, go easy on yourself if you have trouble catching everything... it's a learning curve, you'll get better at it.

You are full of info, I love it !!!!!!!!!

[ishereal]

Originally Posted by veganf

Here is a link that might help:
http://www.godairyfree.org/Food-to-E...ient-List.html

thanks!!!!

[Alpaca Wacka]

I am! It sucks. Actually, I'm not being a purist about it. If I drink a big glass of milk, or have a slice of cheese it seems to bother Katie, but I haven't noticed any difference with something like a pat of butter. So, I have eliminated the big obvious stuff. I'm all for passing around dairy free recipes or meal ideas! One of the things I'm trying to do now is plan a list of at least 12 meals before I go shopping for stuff.

[ishereal]

Originally Posted by Alpaca Wacka

I am! It sucks. Actually, I'm not being a purist about it. If I drink a big glass of milk, or have a slice of cheese it seems to bother Katie, but I haven't noticed any difference with something like a pat of butter. So, I have eliminated the big obvious stuff. I'm all for passing around dairy free recipes or meal ideas! One of the things I'm trying to do now is plan a list of at least 12 meals before I go shopping for stuff.

Yeah the whole dairy-free life is a bit intimidating but anything for my LO!!!

[s_kristina]

I've been mostly dairy free for the past 5+ years. It took me a while to figure out my dd had problems with dairy, but I've been off it since I figured that out. She only had issues with diary, but my ds1 had issues with other foods so I've been off other foods as well. I'll put all the links I've got on eating dairy free in here http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns...nsitivity.html http://www.kellymom.com/store/freeha...en-dairy01.pdf http://www.beanmom.com/nomilk.html I have not read through this last link so I can't vouch for the info it contains http://www.godairyfree.org/ and here are 2 links on foods that are diary free either to purchase or make http://www.allergygrocer.com/ and http://www.vitalita.com/docs/DessertsOfVitality.pdf

[Chinese Pistache]

I am. My last dc is allergic and reacted through my milk, so I'm taking preventative measures this time. This site is good for alternative milk names: http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/allergy.htm

[Ironica]

Oh, dairy-free recipes... that I can do. ;-)

Get thee an ice cream maker. Seriously, if you can at all, do it. Then, you can make any sort of ice cream you want, with coconut milk:

1 can (14 oz.) coconut milk
1 cup sweetener (cane sugar and agave nectar are the ones I use usually... you could do a combo, also, or do some honey, molasses, maple syrup, whatever)
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. salt

Then add whatever fruit, nuts, etc. you want to make it the flavor you want. For non-alcoholic rum raisin, soak raisins overnight in rum, then simmer for 10-15 minutes over the lowest heat that will keep it bubbling. For fruit flavors, I like to put some of the juice or a little of the fruit in the blender with the base, then add chunks separately. For chocolate, add half a cup or so of unsweetened cocoa, and taste... keep adding until it tastes right.

Another one: the last meal I made before going into labor was the cucumber-basil salad I already posted about, some lamb with parsley and mint, and this vegan mac-n-cheese recipe:

http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.co...ac-cheese.html

My DH, who eats everything, even said it was "cheesy" tasting.

Soaking raw cashews for 30 minutes or more, rinsing, then putting in the blender with some water, vanilla, and sweetener gives you a great sub for whipped cream. Use lemon juice and vinegar instead of sweetener and vanilla, and you get sour cream. (There's a recipe out there for this... ah, here it is.) I added various spices to that, and made "ranch dip" for a gathering one time... everyone loved it.

Coconut milk makes a good sub for a lot of things, including potatoes au gratin and creamed spinach. Spectrum makes a palm oil based shortening that subs well for butter in a lot of baking. Coconut oil is a good sub for sauteeing and sauces. Oh, and Follow Your Heart Vegan Gourmet is the best non-dairy "cheese" out there (though it's soy-based and contains canola, so we can't eat it anymore).

[cj'smommy]

I've done dairy free twice now, two things I learned to watch out for that were snuck into foods marked 'dairy free' were the proteins - casein and whey.

I also got some tips from here http://www.mspiguide.com/

Good luck!!

[sparkly]

I'm gluten free (for 6 years), so avoiding dairy hasn't been the end of the world, since if I get trace amounts it's okay (can't do that with gluten). I am baking my usual cakes, etc. but subbing coconut oil for butter. I like the vanilla and unsweetened Silk soymilks. Cheese is sorely missed, though.

You can make a great whipped cream from coconut milk--refrigerate it until it separates, scoop out the cream, and whip with powdered sugar and vanilla.

Also, I recommend getting a dairy free or vegan cookbook from the library. Oh, and make sure you're eating enough fat; I cut out dairy and nuts for the time being, which were my two main sources of fat, so eating enough of it to make good breast milk has been challenging!

[Ironica]

Oh, yeah... that's another thing about labeling: "non-dairy" almost always means "Has dairy proteins in it" (the term is used by products that the dairy industry sees as competition, like coffee creamer). "Dairy-free" *usually* means "contains no dairy ingredients", but you should check anyway. "Lactose-free" often contains dairy protein also. "Kosher Parve" and "Vegan" are terms that specifically preclude dairy (though they're not regulated by the government, so you should still check the ingredients of course).