Milk Allergy versus Lactose Intolerance
One of the top 8 food allergens is cow’s milk. This allergy is common in babies/toddlers and some children outgrow the allergy by school age, but others remain allergic to milk throughout life. Milk allergy is often confused with lactose intolerance, because both condition require limiting or avoiding consuming dairy products, but the similarities stop there. Lactose intolerance occurs when the small intestine does not produce enough lactase to break down lactose, the sugar in milk. this causes digestive symptoms, mainly cramps and diarrhea as the intestines are speeding up transit to get the undigested lactose out of the body. Most people with lactose intolerance can eat small amounts of milk products without a problem. Taking lactase enzymes as a supplement when eating dairy can also help with lactose intolerance.
Milk allergy is an allergic reaction to the protein in milk. Milk has a few different types of protein, but casein and whey are the main ones. Milk allergy symptoms are more severe and will happen no matter how much of a milk product is consumed. Symptoms can include hives, respiratory (breathing) symptoms, digestive issues including cramps and diarrhea, and even anaphylaxis, which is a life threating emergency. Due to the potential severity of symptoms, complete avoidance of milk and milk products is a regular recommendation for people with milk allergy.
What Foods to Avoid
Avoiding milk products means more than just not drinking milk. This includes all cheese, yogurt, cream, and ice cream. Many packaged foods also contain milk. Baked goods, salad dressings, sauces, etc. contain milk and you have to be careful to read the nutrition labels to ensure that a product does not contain milk before consuming it if you have a milk allergy.
Nutritional Concerns
The avoidance of dairy products also means that you are not getting the nutrients from them. The main nutrients we are concerned about with milk allergy are protein, calcium, riboflavin, phosphorus, Vitamins A, D, and B12, magnesium, zinc, and potassium.
Foods that are dairy free that can help you meet your nutritional requirements include meat, fish, poultry, whole grains, nuts, mushrooms, bright yellow and orange vegetables. Foods that are fortified with B vitamins, Calcium, Vitamin D may also help, but you still need to ensure they do not include milk.
Have you or child just been diagnosed with milk allergy? Feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out what to eat? Integrated Harmonies can help! Get started with personalized nutrition care by clicking here to book your first session. It may even be covered by your insurance!
I am not a doctor. The information contained on this Website are for educational and informational purposes only. The information contained on this Website and the resources available for download through this website is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed medical or health advice.
Resources
§https://www.allergychoices.com/blog/replacing-lost-nutrients-due-to-food-allergies/
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