DAIRY PRODUCTS

Dairy is one of the most common food sensitivities in the US among children. 79% of the men and women in the US drink milk or have dairy products regularly.

Lactose, a sugar in milk, is often talked about when it comes to hypersensitivity to dairy products, but protein is actually more involved in an allergy or sensitivity. The proteins in milk are mainly casein and whey. 80% of milk protein coming from casein and the remaining 20% from whey. However, there are numerous sub proteins within each that can also contribute to symptoms.

It is important to note that an allergy to milk is different from lactose intolerance, even though the two conditions are often confused. In the case of lactose intolerance, a person doesn’t produce the lactase enzyme to break down the lactose, which is not an allergy. The most common dairy products are milk, cheese, cream, yogurt and ice cream, but many other foods also contain dairy products.

Main symptoms associated with milk

• Skin conditions such as eczema, urticaria, and skin rashes
• Gastrointestinal symptoms, bloating, vomiting
• Stomach pain, nausea
• Blood in the stool (especially in young children)
• Runny nose, nasal congestion, phlegm

Main foods containing dairy products

• Various milks and processed products (condensed milk, dry milk, unsweetened condensed milk, malted milk, low-fat milk, skimmed milk, powdered milk, skim milk, solid milk, whole milk
• Butter, butterfat, butter oil, ghee
• Cheese
• Buttermilk
• Cream
• Custard
• Pudding
• Sour cream
• Whey
• Yogurt
• All foods containing casein, lactose, lactalbumin, lactoferrin, milk protein, whey protein

Foods that may contain hidden dairy

• Butter substitute
• Sweet bread, cakes, cookies
• Candy
• Chocolate
• Deli meats, hot dogs, sausages
• Margarine
• Nougat
• Protein bar
• Dressing
• Sauce, soup
• Vitamins and supplements
• Instant Mashed Potatoes
• Canned Meats
• Frozen Chicken Nuggets & Fish Sticks
• Chewing Gum
• Crackers