Following a dairy free diet is difficult when there are so many Hidden Dairy Ingredients. Read this post to learn more about avoiding dairy and tips for living a dairy free life.
When Annabelle was four months old we found out that she was allergic to dairy. Since I was exclusively breastfeeding, I completely cut out dairy from my diet. If I had the tiniest bit of dairy, our poor baby would break out with a nasty diaper rash, eczema, screaming fits, and explosive diapers. Read more: How to Go Dairy Free While Breastfeeding
Looking for Hidden Dairy Ingredients
It’s been a year and a half since I said goodbye to one of my favorite foods: cheese. We have been living a dairy free lifestyle for almost all of Annabelle’s time on this Earth so far. Fast forward to a 22 month old who still has a sensitivity to dairy AND a Momma who can’t handle her cheese/milk/butter either.
One would think that by now I would know all of the hidden dairy sources – I check food labels like it is my job and frequently harass waitstaff to make sure they check with the kitchen chef about the ingredients they use.
If Annabelle has dairy, she gets the worst rash on her little bottom and she seems to develop a bit of eczema on her arms and legs. If I have dairy, my stomach bloats out, my mouth tastes funny, and I am often sick for a few days afterwards. Just this past weekend I decided to throw caution to the wind and eat a bit of my beloved cheese. As a result, I paid for my indulgences for two days with stomach issues.
What happens you eat food with hidden dairy ingredients?
Just this past weekend, poor little Annabelle fell subject to a dairy exposure due to her parent’s forgetfulness. We bought a big bag of Bold Chex Mix before we went to Connecticut. I let her gobble up as much as she wanted to keep her content on the plane. In around 6 hours, she had developed a terrible rash on her bottom that has now lasted six days. We love original Chex Mix (it’s a top Dairy Free snack!), but who knew BOLD Chex Mix had an added ingredient?
We have put baking soda in her tubby, rubbed Desitin and an all natural bum balm all over the rash, and change her diapers frequently. She still complains that her bottom hurts though and I feel awful for being the reason she is in pain. I felt it was about time I reminded myself of the ingredients that contain milk. One of my most popular blog posts is Breastfeeding on a Dairy Free Diet because it includes multiple links to various websites containing information about living dairy free.
There are SO many different food items that we don’t even know contain dairy. Soy “Meat” Products, Hot Dogs, and all sorts of fried foods contain dairy. Did you know dairy free instant creamer contains milk?! Check the label – you’ll be surprised.
If you discover that your little one has a dairy allergy, or perhaps YOU have developed a dairy sensitivity, do your research! Be careful with what you put in your mouth. Print out cheat sheets to keep in your wallet and never hesitate to ask a waitress if there is butter in your dish. Your stomach will thank you.
Excellent post, and so sorry to hear about your woes! Poor Bellie 🙁 Pinning this to my Babies Pinterest board for later. You never know…
Well, of course dairy free creamer has milk! Why would you think otherwise?
Oh, because it says it’s dairy free? 😉
Poor little thing. Hope she is all better soon.