Dairy free alternative to cow's milk

Fluffybunny80

my two year old has milk protein allergy and we have tried almost every dairy free alternative going!
he hated coconut milk (various brands including the leading one and supermarket alternatives) and most other nut milks and the only one he'll take is the alpro hazelnut milk.
He has it on his cereal and as a drink and seems to really enjoy it.

We haven't even tried Soya as many children with milk protein allergy also have Soya allergy plus I tasted it once and it was pretty rank tbh!

If you haven't already, see you gp for referral to an allergy clinic as they have the best advice.

There are different types of milk allergy and apparently lactose is actually quite rare and not as common as the milk proteins one and not many people realise that and go straight for lactose free and it doesn't help at all.

Hope I've helped a little and I sympathise greatly as it's become very difficult having to constantly say no to a toddler crying for some cheese.I chocolate, even quavers have milk in and upset his tummy! and cause a rash now too

FreddieFrugal

We get unsweetened soya. Did use sweetened for a while until we realised how much sugar was in it!

Just get the 59p Longlife type cartons. Got used to the cardboard taste after a while

theoretica

When I was a toddler cows' milk made me sick, but goats' milk was fine, and readily available.

tom9980

I think it's all personal taste even different brands of the same type of milk can taste different enough to make a difference.

Almond milk for cereal I hate but cooking it adds a nice taste.

Oat milk is okay.

rice milk is nice its my favourite, I like it with rice crispies.

Coconut milk again nice to cook with to add flavour and can make a nice porridge.

soya milk is okay but i have a mild reaction when eating some soya products.

enthusiasticsaver

Both my OH and my daughters find some dairy triggers their IBS and my granddaughter was lactose intolerant when she was first born so we have tried the lot. Goats milk or lactose free milk was popular. Almond milk is good on cereal and soya milk also good for cooking but I hate that in tea. Preference out of all of them for drinking is goats milk.

Feebie

I use sweetened hemp milk, although only have it in coffee. I think it has an almost vanilla taste to it. The unsweetened one is horrid though! My partner chooses rice milk on cereal but I think rice milk is one of the least nutritious of the non-dairy milks.

I know it's expensive, but I'd advise trying lots of different ones as we all have different tastes (I hate almond milk for example, whilst others love it).

AylesburyDuck

Lucyxx wrote: »

This Koko milk one on the link is my fave one for having in my cereal. Apart from that I also have Alpro Hazelnut too. The Koko definitely tastes less 'different' of all the types I have tried. (weirdly if I have cow milk now - I haven't found an alternative I like in tea either, cow milk tastes gross to me like I have eaten a block of dairylea!) I imagine if I put the Koko in my children's cereal they wouldn't even notice. I buy it in Asda and it is usually on offer for £1. I think I've seen it in Tesco too. That brand also makes a really lovely Strawberry yoghurt. A bit pricier at £1.25 for only 2, but very tasty!

To me, even semi skimmed now tastes like cream to me if on cereal. Still keep it in the fridge as non of the kids will drink dairy free.
Other brands we like are Alpro Coconut, and Alpro almond and coconut, hubby prefers Aplro Almond though.
I've even seen a Cashew milk, though i havnt tried that yet.

Dill

I use rice milk on cereal in the morning (can't stand soya milk!) and it tastes fine.

xoxo_2

I use almond milk for cereal and drinks. Soya milk was vile, and coconut milk seemed too watery for me for cereal etc although it's fine in drinks. I haven't tried the cashew or hazelnut yet but I've heard good things about the hazelnut. I stick to Alpro because I've found other brands don't compare and it can usually be found on a 3 for £3 deal or £1 a bottle offer.

It's very much personal taste though. My mum can only use soya, she hates all the rest. I think you're going to have to just try them all and find which suits best.

indsty

There are so many choices nowadays. It really does depend on the age of your child, and the reasons you are looking for dairy-free. Please check with your GP, health visitor or an NHS trained dietitian if this is a long-term change. Milk is such an important part of the diet for a child.