It’s been a bit since I’ve been able to write – but I still believe that abs are made in the kitchen, so let’s pick up where I left off! During my last article I spoke about gluten sensitivity and alternatives. Let’s mooooove on.
Another health issue/concern or all together diet restraint is dairy. People follow a dairy-free diet for different reasons. Some are allergic to the dairy proteins themselves, while others lack the enzyme lactase, which digests milk sugar, called lactose. People who are lactose-intolerant may choose to eliminate or reduce products containing lactose, while those with allergies must eliminate dairy proteins altogether. I completely understand the dairy sensitivity or lactose-intolerance.
Intaking dairy in anyway, in my case will lead to bloating, gas and discomfort beyond belief for anyone and everyone around me.It would be in my best interest not to consume dairy, really more of a courtesy to others. I window shop all the time, walk down the ice cream aisle and reminiscence. My mind drifts back to the days when I was younger and I was able to enjoy Ben & Jerry’s, when I heard the ice cream truck and sprinted toward its direction. Or when I could have the grilled cheese sandwich and dip it in soup on crisp fall days. Oh boy, not anymore. Thank goodness things have changed and there are alternative choices to dairy. Halo Top Dairy Free ice cream is my friend, during the off season. Dairy free ice cream has come so far. Not only is this a good option it does not have all the fat and sugar and is actually loaded with protein.
Dairy is not just in the obvious ice cream, and cheeses, look for both obvious and not-so obvious sources of dairy if you’re avoiding it. For example, certain brands of tuna fish and alternative cheese products can include a dairy protein called casein. Dairy and its derivatives can be found in foods like packaged lunch meats, mayonnaise and potato chips. Dairy components can also be found in pharmaceutical drugs, vitamins and supplements. Be sure to do your research on all the products you use.
Primary Sources of Dairy
-Milk (in any form, including whole, low-fat, lactose-free and skim or nonfat milks; acidophilus milk; buttermilk; cream and half-and-half; condensed and evaporated milks; goat’s and sheep’s milks; milk proteins; milk solids; malted milk and milk fat)
-Cheese
-Butter (including butter fat, butter oil an artificial butter flavor) and some brands of margarine
-Custards, puddings and nougat
-Cream cheese
-Cottage cheese
-Sour cream
-Ice cream, gelato, sherbet and ice milk
-Whey
-Casein
Hidden Sources of Dairy
This is not an exhaustive list, but if you’re eating dairy free, avoid products with these ingredients:
-Curds
-Whey
-Ghee
-Casein
-Caseinates (in the form of calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium and ammonium)
-Rennet casein
-Lactose
-Lactulose
-Hydrolysates
-Lactalbumin
-Lactoglobulin
Due to my lactose-sensitivity or intolerance I have found www.allrecipes.com to be a huge help. I am able to love. Froyo was a big part of my family outings, I know it was more the toppings and not so much the froyo, but I did have to change and find alternatives. I understand it can be tough, however, you have to put your health first, you have to take care of yourself, so you can take care of your family.
Homework: Try a dairy-free alternative to an old favorite. Let us know how it went over! What was the recipe? Where did you find it? Would you eat it again? And of course – photos of fails and successes are appreciated on our Facebook page!
