Dairy alternatives

Some people have to follow a dairy-free diet (omitting milk, cheese, yogurts, cream, butter, etc.) due to an allergy to cow`s milk. This occurs when the body reacts to certain proteins found in the milk. Some people also suffer from a lactose intolerance - lactose is a sugar found in the milk of mammals. An intolerance occurs when the body fails to produce enough lactase to break down lactose, therefore the lactose remains in the gut and this causes intolerance symptoms such as bloating, wind, cramps and diarrhoea. Some lactose intolerant sufferers can however tolerate small amounts of dairy.

Whilst some people choose to go dairy free as a lifestyle choice does it have any health benefits?

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF DAIRY
Dairy products are great sources of protein, calcium, iodine, vitamins B2 and B12. They`re essential for growth, bone and dental health, nerve and brain function, healthy red blood cells, and to aid energy release from carbohydrates.

So if you go completely dairy-free you could be missing out on vital nutrients, depending on what you replace them with. See the table below which gives the nutritional low-down of various dairy alternatives.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF DAIRY ALTERNATIVES
There are a huge range of dairy-free products available in supermarkets. A benefit to consuming dairy-free alternatives is that they are plant-based and therefore a more sustainable choice.

Choosing dairy free? Opt for unsweetened and calcium fortified versions so that you aren't consuming extra free sugars and missing out on vital nutrients.