I Need Help Going Dairy Free.

[frenchiemama]

I must cut dairy. I don't want to, but I must. My eczema is getting so bad. I know that it's dairy causing most of the trouble, but I've just ignored it up until now because I didn't want to give up my beloved cheese, but it's getting too bad to ignore anymore.

I have tried to look up websites for dairy free products etc, but of course nothing is gluten-free on those lists. I need help finding gluten-free/df foods. The main thing I'm looking for right now is a butter substitute, but I'm sure more things will crop up in the next couple of weeks.

Also, is Blue Diamond almond milk 100% dairy free? Hope so because I love it.

[kabowman]

Fleishman's Light "used" to be dairy free but I haven't checked since I gave up soy. Don't know about the milk sorry - it does get better, same as going gluten-free.

For baking, I use oil and lard (I can't have palm oil or crisco) for substitutions for melted or non-melted butter and with good results.

[jenvan]

Carolyn-

Here are some of my favorite gluten-free/cf products below: (Blue Diamond looks cf from the label...I think Tiffany drinks it, you could verify with her, as she is cf too).

My favorite gluten-free/cf "butter" alternatives are Earth Balance sticks and spread. Sticks work perfectly as a sub for regular butter in cooking. Both taste great! First and Fifth items on this page: Open Original Shared Link

Good soy yogurt, Whole Soy company. Read the back of the label--it will say gluten-free/cf: Open Original Shared Link I use it in cooking.

The only gluten-free/cf "cheese" line I've found in stores is Soyco's Vegan line. Nothing cf is going to be the same as real cheese, but this is pretty good. Open Original Shared Link

I also just found this gluten-free/cf soy-based whip cream that is really good! Great Rediwhip substitute: Open Original Shared Link

[tarnalberry]

Quite frankly, I don't do a lot of dairy substitutes. I eat whole, unprocessed foods, and it's pretty easy to tell that apples, bananas, carrots, and bell peppers don't have dairy.

When I do have something that is subing for dairy, here's what I use:

1. sweet baking/cooking - Almond Breeze

2. savory cooking/baking - Unsweetened Silk Soy Milk

3. yogurt - Whole Soy or Silk

4. cooking fat - olive or canola oil

5. baking fat (where I really really can't sub oil, like I need to beat w/ sugar) - Earth Balance

6. ranch dip/dressing - I make a raw dressing w/ raw cashews

Seriously, check out the raw recipes for dairy subs; they've got some good ideas.

You do get used to avoiding cheese. Maybe not happy about it, but used to it.

The lasagna recipe I posted Sunday night has no cheese, and doesn't need it! It's fab just as it is.

[jerseyangel]

Hi Carolyn--I use Vance's Dari Free as a milk sub--

Open Original Shared Link

I also use Spectrum Organic Shortening for baking. I most often use olive oil, but if I absolutely need a "butter", I use Smart Balance (not often)

[Guest Robbin]

I am dairy/casien free as well and am happy to find the tips-thank you for this thread. I use clarified butter too (ghee) and no problems since it is just the fat and no proteins. I also use rice milk and almond milk. Tried to experiement with making a dairy/soy/nut free- fake cream cheese substitute with rice milk and gelatin and seasonings--had my hubby try it (he will eat anything and has a cast-iron stomach) and he nearly vomited, so back to the drawing board! If any of you have an idea for that one --please post it!!! It is surprising what you can live without when you need to, but I really do miss cheese too! Take care and good luck

[taz sharratt]

Quite frankly, I don't do a lot of dairy substitutes. I eat whole, unprocessed foods, and it's pretty easy to tell that apples, bananas, carrots, and bell peppers don't have dairy.

When I do have something that is subing for dairy, here's what I use:

1. sweet baking/cooking - Almond Breeze

2. savory cooking/baking - Unsweetened Silk Soy Milk

3. yogurt - Whole Soy or Silk

4. cooking fat - olive or canola oil

5. baking fat (where I really really can't sub oil, like I need to beat w/ sugar) - Earth Balance

6. ranch dip/dressing - I make a raw dressing w/ raw cashews

Seriously, check out the raw recipes for dairy subs; they've got some good ideas.

You do get used to avoiding cheese. Maybe not happy about it, but used to it.

The lasagna recipe I posted Sunday night has no cheese, and doesn't need it! It's fab just as it is.

am freakin out at mo, im lactose intolerant and my doctor said i could still have butter as it only contained a small amount of lactose in it, ( dont tell me she got another thing wrong, GOOG GOD ) would explain why im still getting problems .

[shai76]

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze milks are dairy free. I would probably try them out if I wasn't allergic to tree nuts too. :/

There is no good substitute for cheese. Sorry.

If your eczema is too bad you might want to try some tar ointment to speed up the process. It really helps.

[CarlaB]

I just left it out and didn't substitute, except for butter. I use Ghee and coconut oil. I mix them together for popcorn.

If I'm dying for a latte, I'll get one made with soymilk at Starbucks.

For salad dressing in a restaurant, I ask for lemons and olive oil. At home, I've always made my own from olive oil, maple syrup, lemon juice, garlic, and mustard (gluten-free of course).

[jnclelland]

My favorite gluten-free/cf "butter" alternatives are Earth Balance sticks and spread. Sticks work perfectly as a sub for regular butter in cooking. Both taste great! First and Fifth items on this page: Open Original Shared Link

I second the recommendation for Earth Balance! It was the only "regular" (i.e., not low-fat) one I could find when I was first looking for dairy-free butter substitutes. Fortunately, it's yummy, and I've been very happy with it.

Jeanne

[frenchiemama]

Thanks for all the tips guys, that answers my questions...for now! I'm sure I'll be back.

[Nancym]

For me soy is also an issue. It was easier for me to change my entire diet than try to substitute around it. I found a great cookbook called "The Garden of Eating", adopted my diet to a Paleolithic (pre-agricultural) type of diet and also decided that SE Asians have great recipes that are closest to matching my needs.

[jenvan]

For me soy is also an issue. It was easier for me to change my entire diet than try to substitute around it. I found a great cookbook called "The Garden of Eating", adopted my diet to a Paleolithic (pre-agricultural) type of diet and also decided that SE Asians have great recipes that are closest to matching my needs.

So you are doing a Paleo diet right now?

[Kris Fisher]

Seriously, check out the raw recipes for dairy subs; they've got some good ideas.

What is "Raw Recipes"?

[tarnalberry]

What is "Raw Recipes"?

their recipes for raw foods - foods that don't get cooked. google "raw recipes" and you'll find a bunch. since it's food that never gets heated or cooked, there's pretty much never any dairy in any of the foods. ever. so there's usually substitutes using raw nuts that get ground up with water. the recipes aren't always easy, sometimes require a variety of kitchen gadgets, and often require a fair amount of time, but are also usually gluten free.

[frenchiemama]

Just a little update, I've been 100% dairy free for 3 days now and my hands are totally clear. I want cheese, but I sure do like having clear skin on my hands (and it was also starting to spread to my left elbow and ankles).

[Lymetoo]

Smart Balance is gluten-free.....I THINK it's dairy free as well..??

[tarnalberry]

Smart Balance is gluten-free.....I THINK it's dairy free as well..??

nope, it has whey.

[frenchiemama]

I have to taste-test whey protein concentrate and sugar lactose as part of my job, just a little bit and I don't swallow it. Do you think that will cause me problems?

[jenvan]

Just a little update, I've been 100% dairy free for 3 days now and my hands are totally clear. I want cheese, but I sure do like having clear skin on my hands (and it was also starting to spread to my left elbow and ankles).

Great news!

I have to taste-test whey protein concentrate and sugar lactose as part of my job, just a little bit and I don't swallow it. Do you think that will cause me problems?

Personally, not eating dairy myself, I would not put any dairy even in my mouth. But I'm sure others would risk it... What is your job?

[frenchiemama]

Quality control at an infant formula and clinical nutrition manufacturing plant.