Living With Milk Allergy

It is not easy living with milk allergy because there are so many foods that contain milk and milk products that avoiding them can be difficult. Having a guide can relive some of this anxiety.

If you love to bake or cook, you can easily substitute for milk in recipes. You can substitute equal amounts of water or fruit juice in must recipes that call for milk.

There are lots of food items that you would not necessarily think of as "milk or milk product" and also you must be careful of purchasing from a deli counter as sometimes cheese and meats are sliced on the same deli meat slicer machine and you may inadvertently get some milk product in with your meat.

Certain brands of canned tuna fish contain a milk protein called casein (a milk derivative). Check tuna can labels carefully for this ingredient if you or someone in your family is allergic to milk. There are other non-dairy products that contain casein. Food manufacturers put the casein into their products as a binding agent. You will want to check the following products for casein: breath mints, coffee whiteners, fortified cereals, high-protein beverage powders, ice cream, infant formulas, nutrition bars, processed meats, salad dressings and also whipped toppings.

When dining out, ask if the meat is prepared with butter because some restaurants will put butter on the steaks after they grill them to add extra flavor. You cannot tell that butter is on the steak because it melts and is invisible.

If you accidentally ingest milk or a milk product you are likely to experience sneezing, wheezing, vomiting, or hives.

Get in the habit of checking food labels before buying or eating a product. While out dining as if the dishes you are ordering contain milk or milk product or are prepared using milk or milk products. The same goes when you are eating at someone's house or at a party. Ask the host or hostess about milk or milk products in a discreet and polite manner, explaining about your food allergy to milk.

Individuals with milk allergy will need to speak with a nutritionist or registered dietician so that a diet that avoids milk and milk products will still provide adequate sources of calcium and vitamin D. Foods that will be added to your diet will be broccoli, spinach, and soy products.

Those who are having an anaphylaxis reaction to milk may experience swelling of the throat or tongue. You may start to wheeze or have trouble breathing. You may experience feeling sick to your stomach, and even vomit. You may feel faint to the point of passing out. Someone having an anaphylaxis reaction to a food allergy can be in serious trouble and may even die if immediate medical help is not rendered immediately. Call 911 if you notice anyone having an anaphylaxis reaction.

Individuals with milk or any other food allergy should always notify those they are close with family and friends that they have the allergy in case they are unable to communicate in an emergency.