Having a dairy intolerance does not mean you have to stop consuming your favourite things you used to once love. Thanks to the ever evolving world of plant based milk alternatives you can still have milk in your tea, coffee or cereal. The range of non dairy milk alternatives is vast and the non dairy milk market has seen huge growth in the last few years due to more awareness around dairy intolerances.
What is a dairy intolerance?
Being intolerant to dairy means that the body is unable to digest dairy products or lactose in the same way as someone without this intolerance. It’s when people do not produce enough lactase and the lactose stays in the digestive system. This causes the digestive to not respond well and cause illness. The body digests lactose using a substance called lactase. This breaks down lactose into 2 sugars called glucose and galactose both of which can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream.
Some dairy intolerances may only last a few weeks, however it can continue into adulthood and affect people for the rest of their lives. It is important to know if you are intolerant to dairy to allow you to alter your diet and lifestyle.
What are the signs of a dairy intolerance?
The most common side effects of a dairy intolerance include bloating, stomach pain/cramping, nausea, vomiting and gas. The best way to keep track to see if you do have a dairy intolerance is to keep a diary. This will help you to see if the food/drinks you are confusing have an impact on your body. If dairy seem to be the cause of these symptoms, remove dairy from your diet for 2 weeks and update your diary. If symptoms settle down, then you can be right to think it may be a dairy intolerance. It is always best to consult with a doctor and getting a diagnosis from them.
This means you can look for alternative foods/drinks that will not be harmful to you. Other tests may be needed if it is not easily recognisable that you are intolerant to dairy.
What can I do if I find out I am dairy intolerant?
Whilst there is no cure for dairy intolerance, there are a few simple changes you can make to relieve your symptoms. Reducing your diet of dairy or excluding dairy from your diet completely is usually enough to alleviate the symptoms of dairy intolerance. If you are unable to avoid dairy in your diet, you can slowly and gradually introduce one dairy product at a time back into your diet and see how you react. Some people can tolerate some types of dairy products so this is a great way to see if you are able to tolerate some products. Keeping a log is important to allow you refer back to what worked and what didn’t.
If you are not consuming any dairy at all, it means you are missing out on nutrients important for your body. This means you will have to ensure you are getting enough nutrition from either lacto-free foods or some sort of dietary supplement. Looking for products that are plant based and contain no dairy will be the best option.
Dairy Alternatives
Fortunately, in 2021 there is a wide range of alternative, plant based products to choose from. Alternative milk has seen a rise in the amount of people now opting for this choice due to dietary requirements. McQueens Dairies has seen the demand for an alternative milk delivery and started to offer milk alternatives to our range to meet our customer requirements. The best milk alternative for you depends on your preference however we offer a wide range for you to choose from. Our alternative milk products include:
Almond Milk
Almond milk is a plant-based dairy milk alternative which has a nutty flavour and a creamy consistency. It can be used as a replacement for cow’s milk if you a have a dairy intolerance. It is a plant-based milk alternative that is suitable for vegans and contains no dairy or animal ingredients. We are pleased to offer almond milk in both sweetened and unsweetened versions. The benefits of almond milk and the creamy, nutty taste combined make it a perfect option for those who wish to choose a plant based milk option.
Coconut Milk
The coconut is a fruit and belongs to the palm family and is a great milk alternative. The white flesh of the coconut is used to make coconut milk. It makes a good milk alternative for anyone that has a lactose intolerance to regular dairy milk.
Oat Milk
Oat milk is a great non-dairy milk alternative for those with a dairy intolerance. It is made from natural oats that have been blended with water. Many have said it is the best oat milk because of the ingredients it is made from. It is made with more protein and fibre than other milk alternatives like soya or coconut milk. It is also lactose free which makes it the perfect milk alternative as lactose free milk is good for you and offers a suitable alternative. Lactose free milk is good as it has the same nutritional value as cow’s milk and is high in protein. We also offer oato oat milk from Oato too. Oatomilk comes in glass reusable bottles and is a creamy milk alternative which is nut, sugar and soy free.
Soya Milk
Soya milk is another plant-based milk alternative to real milk from dairy cows. It’s made from soya beans and the beans are soaked and blended with filtered water. It then is strained to produce the liquid soya milk, therefore making it perfect for adding to cereal and coffee. Many say that soya milk is the best milk alternative for tea and coffee as it tastes most similar to traditional cow’s milk. It is also a high protein milk alternative which makes for a great tasting substitute. There is debate about the best milk alternatives for toddlers. Soya milk is said to be best as again it is most similar to cow’s milk in nutritional values.
Lactose Free Milk
For most people, lactose free milk is the obvious choice when looking for a milk that is without lactose. Lactose free milk has all the nutritional benefits and taste of standard milk, just without the lactose. This makes it safe for people with this dairy intolerance to drink.
If you are dairy intolerant, McQueens Dairies have lots of options. Oat milk for lactose intolerant sufferers is a great option, as are all the milk alternatives mentioned. Browse our range of alternative milk, including oat milk in glass reusable bottles.
Join thousands of happy McQueens Dairies customers and enjoy fresh daily milk delivered straight to your doorstep before 7am with our local milkmen. Add on alternative milk, yoghurt, juice or just choose a milk and eggs delivery. Place your order in our online shop.
