Dairy-Free Diet
Best Bets
- Soy milk
- Rice milk
- Almond milk
- Other grain beverages and dairy substitutes
Nondairy products:
- Margarine
- Nondairy ice cream
- Nondairy chocolate
- Nondairy cheese
- Nondairy yogurt
- Other milk-free or nondairy products
Foods to Avoid
To avoid milk and milk products ask about ingredients at restaurants and others’ homes, read food labels, and become familiar with the technical or scientific terms for milk. The following list is not complete. Consult with a healthcare professional if you are planning to omit milk from your diet or your child’s diet. Many Americans receive the majority of their calcium intake from dairy products. Therefore, when switching to a dairy-free diet, taking calcium supplements is often advisable.
- Baked goods such as pancakes, biscuits, muffins, cakes, crackers, baking mixes (read labels for dairy product ingredients)
- Au gratin foods
- Butter
- Buttermilk
- Calcium caseinate
- Candy (especially creams and chocolate)
- Casein
- Cheese
- Cheese sauces
- Chocolate milk and drinks
- Coffeemate
- Cold cuts (such as bologna)
- Cottage cheese
- Cream
- Creamed or scalloped foods
- Curds
- Dry cereals containing milk powder, such as some granolas
- Dry milk powder
- Dry milk solids
- Evaporated milk
- Fondues
- Grated cheese
- Gravies (some)
- Ice cream
- Malted milk
- Margarine (most)
- Meat loaf and patties (some)
- Milk: whole, skim, 1%, and 2%
- Milk shakes
- Milk sherbets
- Nondairy creamers (most)
- Non-kosher luncheon meats (some)
- Ovaltine
- Puddings (most)
- Sausage (some)
- Sodium caseinate
- Wieners (some)
- Whey
- White sauces
- Yogurt
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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.