New to Dairy Free Diet!

[linny]

I found out last week, through an intolerance test, that I must go on to a dairy free diet. I am totally surprised that I have this intolerance and am having a nightmare trying to decide if the groceries I already have in my cupboard are dairy-free. I have read that some E number ingredients contain dairy products. Can anyone tell me if this is true and maybe someone may know which E numbers are the culprits!!? E.G. Batchelors savoury rice, Bisto gravy granules, Quaker Oat-So-Simple porridge oats. :headbang: Thanks! Linny

[Pam]

I think Bisto gravy granules are ok and porridge oats should be ok (but I don't know if there's any extra added to Oat so Simple ones - as they are flavoured they probably have milk thrown in somewhere). I eat Ready Brek every day but can't have the chocolate variety as that contains milk. Savoury rice has milk in most of the flavours.

There is a list of milk derivatives somewhere on this site - possibly in the dairy free Info bit, that should help you to find all the hidden milk products. You can find out about E numbers by buying or borrowing a copy of E For Additives or The Vegan Shopper (aka Animal Free Shopper). The second is produced by the vegan society and lists all animal free products and stockists and also tells you how various E numbers come from - a very handy little book. You can buy either from Amazon, health food shops or book shops.

I tend not to worry too much about E numbers and whether they are milk based or not as my daughter and I are intolerant rather than allergic to milk, so we don't have a major problem if we make a mistake.

Watch out for hidden milk in meat products - eg. many processed sliced meats contain lactose and hot dog sausages contain milk protein, virtually all convenience foods have some milk slipped in somewhere.

You will get used to checking the labels and spotting the nasties quickly, until then, however, shopping will take you a whole lot longer. Good luck!

[Lan]

Hi there Linny.

I know that it's hard to go dairy free as have been there, but please keep your chin up. If you need any help this is the website to come to as we are always willing to help.

My advice during this period would be to keep positive and be strong, living dairy free is hard at times like any restricted diet, but you can get through it and live a happy life. I know, as I have been like this for 8 years.

I would like to say that I have never thought about additives previously and have never heard about dairy being in them. As far as I know oats and bisto gravy are ok, and the bisto gravy is lovely with some fresh mint through it.

My advice would be to always check labels and to help you we have a list on the front page entitled , which will allow you to see all the different names of milk products.

Life as a dairy free person is easier now than it was years ago as more people are starting to understand, and more varied foods are available.

Stockists include Tescos, Sainsburys and most health food shops.

If you ever need help or advice with any aspect then please contact me via the forums or by private message.

I understand that you will have a load of questions and be frightened of the future, but hope that you understand that other people who have been through this are here at hand to help and advise.

Good luck,

Lan
(Website Owner) :thumbsup:

[Denice]

Hi,
I am a new person to this website, just browsing and came across it. I have a son who is allergic to dairy products and has been since the age of 1yr, now 4years. I was interested to see your comments about Bisto gravy which does contain dairy it is in the form of E322 which is an egg derivative. However do not despair oxo gravy is DAIRYFREE another one to look out for is Lecithin this comes in two forms soya which is okay and egg if it doesn't state which, it's best to avoid it.
Hope this is helpful.

:Denice. :bleh:

[Pam]

Now there's a question - is egg a dairy product? I don't class egg as dairy, it doesn't cause the same health problems to my daughter and myself and it isn't produced in a dairy (like milk, cream or cheese). It's all a matter of opinion, maybe 'milk free' is a better phrase to use. I think that food manufacturers also class dairy as milk and not eggs so anyone who has a problem with eggs should be extra careful.

[Lan]

Hi Pam,

I think eggs being classed as dairy is a classical debate. I know that a few pubs I have been to have classed them as dairy, but most seem to dismiss them.

I would advise anyone with a egg allergy/intolerance to be extra vigilant when eating out, due to this problem, as per Pam.

Kind Regards,

Lan.

:D

[linny]

Hi, I've been reading the replies to my message, thanks for the help.

Re: are eggs dairy? I recently had a full intolerance test and in the result sheet egg white and egg yolk appear in the dairy category. I was told that I am intolerant to cow's milk but not egg white or yolk.

If anyone is interested I've found a savoury rice that is listed as milk free. It's Co-op own brand savoury rice available in chicken. mushroom and golden varieties. Actually the Co-op have quite a few groceries in their milk free list at www.co-op.co.uk (including choc biscuits, after dinner mints and choc sponge pudding). As you can see I'm having problems resisting chocolate, I'm sure I'll survive!!

Bye for now

Linny :rolleyes:

[Pam]

The best dairy free 'milk' chocolate I have found is from Tesco, it is their own free from chocolate bar and is 69p for 45g and is a chunky bar like Yorkee bars. If you don't mind dark chocolate there is plenty to choose from.

As for the co-op, yes they are quite good at labelling stuff, its just a shame that our local store is so expensive for general groceries compared with other supermarkets. I'll have a look at their web site though.