I’ve been dairy intolerant since the age of 12 and have definitely had spells of taking it more seriously than others! But, I have learned several things from these years of having a dairy-free diet, particularly since shopping and cooking for myself.
There have been so many times where someone has offered me something ‘lactose-free’ assuming it’s fine for me to eat. Although I've tried these foods in the hope that lactose-free would be enough, unfortunately, lactose-free will make me just as unwell as the ‘normal’ dairy stuff!
Often my food choices fall under the ‘vegan’ category to be sure that what I’m choosing is dairy-free, but this isn’t always what I want! I’d love some ham on my pizza, but that isn’t an option on the online dominos ordering system!
People assume that eggs are dairy. This is NOT true. Dairy products are those which are made from cow’s milk.
Dairy can be put into things you really wouldn’t expect! You have to check the labels of EVERYTHING, which can make shopping long and tedious. But, better to be safe than sorry!
It’s so tempting to just have one square of chocolate or a mouthful of cake- how bad can it be? But, as much as it seems worthwhile when eating it, the consequences are never worth it.
One thing to consider when buying dairy-free foods or baking/cooking dairy-free things is which alternatives work for you. I really dislike all of the vegan alternatives that are made from coconut oils, so goat's cheese is my preference. My dairy intolerance is only to cow’s milk products, so I can have goat’s cheese which works as an alternative for most meals. This may not be the same for everyone, but it’s worth being aware of what you CAN have – goat, sheep, buffalo, or something plant-based? There are so many alternative cheeses, yogurts, and ice-creams, etc. out there, and it’s important to try them and work out which works for you.
Buying ‘free-from’ foods can be expensive and sometimes unnecessary. Below is a list of some of my discoveries of ‘normal’ foods that are already dairy-free! You wouldn't believe that some of these are 'naturally' dairy-free!
(Please Note: This list was written on 08.02.2021 and ingredients may change)
Eat Natural Dark Chocolate, Cranberry and Macadamia Nut Cereal Bars
Belvita Blueberry Soft Bakes, Honey and Nut Belvita Biscuits
Eat Natural Apple, Ginger and Dark Chocolate Cereal Bars
Snack a Jacks (including caramel ones)
Nature Valley Nut Butter Peanut Bar
Ritz Crackers
Alpen Jaffa Cereal Bars
Propercorn Popcorn
Banana, Apple, and Strawberry Soreen Lunchbox Loaves
Twiglets
Angel Layer Cake (Tesco and Morrisons)
Donuts (Morrisons)
Bakewell Tarts (Tesco)
Jus Roll Cinnamon Swirls
Jus Roll Pain-au-chocolat
Ms Molly’s Lightly Fruited Cake (Tesco)
Coconut Macaroons (Tesco)
Strawberry Sensation Pop Tarts
Mrs Crimble's Classic Madeleines
Mrs Crimbles 5 Jammy Loaf Cakes
Party Rings
Hobnobs
Jaffa Cakes (Tesco)
Rich Tea Biscuits
Bourbon Creams (Tesco)
Fruit Shortcake Biscuits (Tesco)
Gingerbread Men (Tesco)
Classic Oreos
Lotus Biscuits
Jammie Dodgers
Dark Chocolate Mint Thins (Tesco, Morrisons)
Bourneville Chocolate
Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar
Lindt Excellence 90% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar
Tesco Plain Chocolate with Zesty Orange
Sunflower and Olive Spreads (Tesco)
Birdseye Inspirations Chicken Kievs
Birdseye Shortcrust Chicken Pies
Birdseye Homebake Sausage Rolls
Jus Roll Pastry Sheets
Heinz Seriously Good Mayonnaise
Hellmann's Coleslaw with Real Mayonnaise
Birdseye Potato Waffles
Birds Eye Cod Fish Fingers
Mccain Hash Browns
Please Note: All of the above foods are free from cows milk products, they are NOT necessarily vegan.
