Dairy-Free Diets for Children

What is dairy?

Dairy refers to a group of foods that are made from the milk of animals such as cows, goats, sheep, and humans. Meat from animals is not dairy.

Where is dairy found?

Dairy is found in any food that has animal milk. This includes milk, cream, yogurt, cheese, butter, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, ice cream, frozen yogurt, whey protein powder, and most infant formulas. This also includes foods that are made with these foods. For example, cheese pizza and macaroni and cheese have dairy because they are made with cheese.

Human breast milk and foods made from breast milk also contain dairy.

Dairy can be very tricky! It can hide in a lot of different foods where you might not expect it. Prepared foods, including pasta, mashed potatoes, sauces, baked goods (such as cakes, cookies, and muffins), chocolates, and some candies all may contain milk. 

Cooking or baking foods that have dairy will not remove the dairy. 

Why would my child be put on a dairy-free diet?

Your child’s gastroenterologist, allergist, or pediatrician may suggest a dairy-free diet for your child. 

Some conditions, such as a food allergy to milk, eosinophilic esophagitis, or cow milk protein enterocolitis, may be managed by avoiding dairy.

Breastfeeding mothers of infants with milk protein enterocolitis also may be put on a dairy-free diet. 

Are dairy-free foods and lactose-free foods the same thing?

Lactose is the sugar in milk and milk products. Lactose-free foods are made from milk but have the milk sugar removed. Lactose-free foods still contain dairy.

Dairy-free foods are always lactose-free.

What about eggs?

Eggs are dairy-free. 

Be mindful when eating out. For example, eggs cooked with butter or milk would contain dairy. Ask about cooking methods and ingredients at restaurants. 

Is a dairy-free diet safe for my child’s nutrition?

Yes, a dairy-free diet is safe when supervised by a pediatric gastroenterologist and dietitian.

Dairy contains protein, calcium, fat, and vitamins, but your child can get these from many other foods.

What vitamins or minerals should I try to replace if my child is on a dairy-free diet? 

Vitamin D (also called cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol) can be found in salmon, mushrooms, anchovies, and eggs.

Vitamin B12 (also called cyanocobalamin) is naturally found in animal products, foods, fish, poultry meat, and eggs. 

Many foods are “fortified,” which means they contain added vitamins and minerals not naturally found in them. For example, some foods like orange juice and milk alternatives are fortified with vitamin D. Some milk alternatives and breakfast cereals may be fortified with vitamin B12. Check food labels to see if certain foods are fortified.

Calcium can be found in fortified breads and cereals, plant-based milk alternatives, canned fish, and spinach.

Ask your child’s doctor or dietitian before starting additional vitamins and supplements, or if you would like help identifying natural food sources for them.

Is it safe for my child to eat away from home if they are on a dairy-free diet? 

At a restaurant, always let your server or the staff know that you are avoiding dairy.

Some restaurants may mark certain items on their menu with “dairy-free,” but most do not.

Foods that are vegan do not contain dairy. Foods that are vegetarian may still contain dairy. 

If you have an allergy to dairy, always carry your epinephrine pen when you are eating away from home, just in case you are exposed to dairy.

The United States Food and Drug Administration requires that all foods that contain a major food allergen, including milk, be labeled stating that the food contains milk at the bottom of the ingredient list. Avoid foods that are labeled to “contain” or “may contain” milk or whey. 

This is overwhelming! I don’t know where to start!

It can be helpful to write down a few days of your child’s diet, also called a food journal. This can help identify what kinds of food your child likes to eat to better support your family in making any diet change.

For school-age and older children, talk to your child openly and honestly about the diet change. Take them to the grocery store and help them get involved with the process.

No question is too simple. Discuss any of your questions and concerns about following a dairy-free diet with your child’s pediatric gastroenterologist or dietitian.

References

US Department of Agriculture. Dairy Group – One of the Five Food Groups. www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/dairy. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Delgado, Nidia B., et al. Pediatric Nutrition Reference Guide. Texas Children’s Hospital, 2022.

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B12. US Department of Health and Human Services, https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

US Food and Drug Administration. Food Allergies. www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-food-labeling-and-critical-foods/food-allergies. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Author: Amanda Glinky, MD
Editor: Amanda Deacy, MD
July 2025