There are many reasons why people choose a dairy free diet. Dairy Products are one of the 8 most common allergens in the US. True milk allergy is a reaction to the proteins casein and whey in milk. Allergic reactions include hives, swelling of the lips and face, gastrointestinal distress, and eczema.

Even more common is Lactose Intolerance, an inability to digest milk sugars due to a deficiency in the enzyme lactase. Between 30 and 50 million people (that’s more than 1 in 10) in the US are lactose intolerant. Symptoms are all gastrointestinal and include diarrhea, gas and bloating. Taking a supplement of the lactase enzyme helps some people digest dairy products more easily.

Lactose Intolerance is a common side effect of Celiac disease. People who are newly diagnosed with Celiac are often instructed to avoid dairy products until the villi of the small intestines has healed. For costumers dealing with multiple food allergies, Juniper Foods website allows you to filter grocery items for multiple allergens, just click on ALL the ingredients you want to avoid on the right hand side of your screen.

Chronic intestinal conditions such as Chron’s disease and IBS can also cause lactose intolerance. Other people avoid dairy voluntarily as part of a vegan lifestyle, or to help alleviate the upper respiratory symptoms of seasonal allergies. If you are contemplating dairy alternative products, visit our new product review category of our blog for insightful product reviews. Then let us know what you think!