Living Without Milk: Tips and a Recipe for Milk-Allergy Sufferers

Milk allergies are not as uncommon as they once were, and it is not as difficult to find foods without milk ingredients as it once was. I found out I had a milk allergy when I was 14. For many years, I would state that I could not eat the wonderful chocolate pie, or share in the ice cream due to my milk allergy. Up until very recently, the most common reaction from others was, "Isn't there a pill you can take for that?" People are more understanding these days, and most realize that an intolerance to milk is not the same as an allergy to milk.

A person with a milk allergy is generally allergic to one, or many, of the proteins found in milk, usually casein. I would like to state that I am not a doctor, nor have I any medical training. I can only give my experiences and the information I have gathered. If you believe you or your child has an allergy to milk it is very important to see your doctor.

You may notice that I do not use the word suffer in regards to this allergy. With research and precaution it is possible to live well and eat well. Don't get me wrong, I would love to sit down to a plate of Pizza Rolls but I also know what would happen if I did and the consequences are not worth one moment of pleasure.

Besides learning the various terms hidden in ingredients that mean, "there is milk in here!", there is also a great deal of experimentation that must take place in order to find the substitute milk products that taste good to you or your child. Believe me, there are inferior brands! If you try one and do not care for it try another. It is easier with children who have not grown up eating and drinking milk products because they don't remember what it is supposed to taste like. Be aware that some brands work better in some foods than in others and just because you do not like a certain brand on your cereal does not mean it may not cook up better than another in potatoes.

Please understand that some people can tolerate some small amounts of milk while others cannot tolerate any amount. Some are able to use margarine while others cannot.

Read all parts of a package of food before buying. Look not only for milk ingredients but also for foods made commercially on machines that have had milk products made on them before. The nutrition facts found on foods are much better than they used to be and now state if a product has milk in it or whether it was made on a machine that also makes milk products.

Read the labels of foods you buy regularly in case the company has made changes in their ingredients. Generally generic foods, such as generic brand brownies, are the least likely to contain milk ingredients but be careful. I bought generic crackers at the store without checking the label and had a rash on both my forearms for two weeks before I realized where I was getting the milk from. I learned that in the case of crackers I'm much better off buying the name brand!

And since I brought them up, and now cannot quit thinking about them, try this not-very-healthy but delicious recipe:

Pizza Wontons in place of Pizza Rolls

Wonton Wrappers
Pepperoni or whatever veggies you like on your pizza!
Soy mozzarella cheese (I use Follow Your Heart presents Vegan Gourmet brand cheese alternative)
Pizza Sauce (your favorite sauce, check the ingredients!)
water

Place small amount of pizza sauce in middle of wonton
Slice pizza toppings very small, remember wonton wrappers are small!
Place small amount in center of wonton and sprinkle with a very small amount of soy cheese
Dab water on sides of wonton wrapper, fold wrapper in half and press sides together.
Deep fry in oil and enjoy!

This is a good recipe for a family because real cheese can be used in place of soy cheese so the whole family can enjoy the meal and no one feels left out! These wontons can also be frozen to be enjoyed later!