|
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
Milk and Dairy Food Allergy |
|
|
|
 Milk is one of the most common foods that cause a food allergy but can be one of the hardest foods to exclude from the diet.
The main problem with milk is if the body is unable to properly digest the milk sugar known as lactose. About two-thirds of the world's population is unable to properly digest lactose, while the remaining third only have a partial ability to digest lactose.
As we age our production of the lactose digesting enzyme, lactase, decreases and where we could once thrive on mother's milk we eventually lose the ability to tolerate milk thereby causing digestive problems, milk intolerance and other food intolerances.
Milk can become difficult to digest, acid and mucus forming and upsets the intestinal environment, leading to poor absorption of nutrients. People with a milk intolerance can experience abdominal bloating, intermittent diarrhoea, eczema and digestive problems.
Dairy produce in general can have the same negative features of milk when it comes to a food allergy, however goat's milk and sheep's milk can be better tolerated by some people.
Live yoghurt may be a good alternative as it is low in saturated fat and contains friendly bacteria which supports the intestinal environment correctly.
Avoiding Milk
It can be very difficult to avoid milk if you have a milk food allergy as it is used in many different types of food. Omelettes, batter, sweeteners, food supplements and monosodium glutamate all use lactase as a "filler". You should also look out for milk in different forms when reviewing food labels, such as casein, caseinate, lactose and whey.
Alternatives to Milk
Some alternatives to cow's milk that you can try are as follows;
- Goat or sheep's milk
- Soya milk (choose calcium enriched if possible)
- Nut creams can be used as a cream substitute
- Non-milk margarines
- Ghee, a clarified butter made from vegetable oils (although it can be high in saturated fat)
- Soya-based cheese and cheese spreads
- Soya desserts and yoghurts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|