This is tough

[Shethy]

I was recently advise that I am allergic to the protein in milk and now have to avoid dairy, boy it's tough:( . I'm finding it difficult to find food I like that doesn't contain milk, food in health food shops are so expensive and I miss my chocolate.

I've been reading through some posts and wow there are some really major symptoms that people suffer from.

I love this webpage at last I don't feel so alone.

[pop_pixie]

Hi, there are plenty of us here who sympathise with you!

I find that I can still eat dark chocolate as most of it is made with cocoa solids rather than milk.

[Copper]

Hi Shethy

Oh yes we can find enough chocolate to keep us happy :) Most peppermint creams are ok - check the ingredients list on the box though. Tesco do an organic plain chocolate that is nice and has no milk ingredients. Green and Blacks do chocolate that we can eat too but they are expensive.

[Pam]

After Eights in mint or orange are ok and a relatively cheap alternative. (Just check that they do not contain butterfat as some imported ones do). Lots of supermarkets do their own brand after dinner mints that are dairy free too.

If you really need a dairy free milk chocolate then try the free from bars in either Tesco or Sainsbury (69p/79p respectively for a 45g bar), they don't quite taste like dairy milk but are as good as you will get. Persevere with dark chocolate, you will grow to like it, I used to hate the stuff but I adore Green & Black Maya Gold now.

Supermarket own brand soya milk is adequate and usually around 65p per litre. I use Pure soya margarine at about 74p per tub but you can also use stork blocks for baking (not the spreadable tubs though).

If you learn to read the ingredients and recognise milk derivatives you can usually find lots of safe "standard" foods rather than having to buy special substitutes. Bread, biscuits and sweet stuff are all out there if you look and you tend to find that cheaper brands are less likely to contain milk than the more expensive ones. Watch out for processed meats and ready meals, most of them contain milk in some shape or form.

You can use dairy free spread and alternative milks in most recipes, so you can always try cooking more yourself.

It does get easier, honestly and if you need to know what products are safe, just ask here, someone is bound to know.

[Lan]

Hi,

I agree with Pam that life does get easier after a while of living dairyfree. My advice would be to take your time when shopping and check all labels. Milk products turn up in the most amazing things.

Sainsburys and Tescos make their own brand of plain dairyfree chocolate. Sainsburys also do a nutty plain chocolate. Terence Stamp also produces dairy and wheat free chocolates.

Kind Regards,

Lan. :D

[matt]

welcome to the nuthouse.

as has been said it looks more daunting than it is. plenty of stuff out there not all expensive, just a matter of knowing where to look.
don't go shopping when hungry or when in rush. go when you can take your time and read the ingredients. check out the local supermarkets, some are better than others even of the same chain.

ask away with any specific stuff:D