Dairy-Free Recipes Archives (2024)

FAQs

Can I eat eggs on a dairy-free diet? ›

Did you know…? Eggs are still a part of a dairy-free diet. Even though they are found in the dairy section of the grocery store, eggs do not contain milk sugar and milk proteins. Eggs are safe to eat in a milk-free diet.

Summary. A dairy-free diet excludes animal milks and any products that contain them. Some people choose to go dairy-free because they have an allergy or intolerance, while others have a personal or ethical preference.

Some popular non-dairy milk options include almond, soy, coconut, and oat milk. For cheese alternatives, plant-based options like Violife and Daiya offer delicious options for everything from shredded cheese to cream cheese.

Mayonnaise doesn't have any milk products in it, so that means it doesn't have dairy. Eggs aren't considered a dairy product, even though they are an animal product. That means if you have a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance, it's safe to eat eggs, as well as mayonnaise, because they don't contain any lactose.

If you're lactose intolerant, you might wonder: Does Greek yogurt have dairy? Made from cow's milk, it does. However, Greek yogurt has less than 1 gram of lactose per ounce—less lactose than milk and about half the lactose of some other yogurts.

Eliminating dairy may improve your skin health and reduce bloating. Dairy products have several essential nutrients that support your bone health. Try to incorporate foods rich in calcium, protein, and vitamin D if you avoid dairy foods.

Despite the name, peanut butter does not contain any dairy butter. Also, peanuts, being nondairy products, don't contain any lactose themselves. Most natural peanut butter is safe to eat if you're lactose-intolerant.

Your body can lack protein

"An important macronutrient you gain from dairy is protein, which is essential for building muscles and helping your organs and bones to correctly function," explains the expert.

Brands to look for are Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks and Melt Organic Vegan Butter Sticks, both plant-based and made to taste like butter. Blue Bonnet Lactose-Free sticks are made with vegetable oil and are dairy-free and gluten-free, and have the "same great taste as Blue Bonnet."

Most people find that their symptoms get better after cutting out lactose for 4 weeks. If you have secondary lactose intolerance, it can take longer. Once your symptoms get better, try to put some lactose back into your diet. Start with a very small amount and increase slowly.

Is butter OK if dairy-free? ›

For example, 1 cup (227 grams) of butter contains only 0.1 grams of lactose ( 1 ). For this reason, butter is well tolerated in most lactose-free diets. Only those who are highly sensitive to lactose may experience symptoms. Butter is very low in lactose, with 1 cup (227 grams) offering only 0.1 grams.

Eggs are not a dairy product

The definition of dairy includes foods produced from the milk of mammals, such as cows and goats ( 1 ). Basically, it refers to milk and any food products made from milk, including cheese, cream, butter, and yogurt. On the contrary, eggs are laid by birds, such as hens, ducks, and quail.

Nutrients to Keep in Mind When Eating Dairy-Free

If you cut out dairy, you'll likely end up with a reduced intake of this vital mineral. Fortunately, you can still get calcium from other sources, including salmon and sardines with bones, tofu made with calcium sulfate and vegetables like kale and broccoli.

Eggs are classified as poultry products, not dairy products. Poultry products include chicken, duck, and turkey eggs, while dairy products are made from the milk of mammals. Eggs are considered to be a separate food group, distinct from dairy products.