Surprising Foods You Won't Believe Are Dairy-Free (2024)

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updated May 6, 2022

If you’ve gone dairy-free – whether it’s because of allergies, intolerance, or ethics – there are probably many foods you miss eating. Cheese? Obviously. Ice cream? Duh. Thankfully, these products now have satisfying vegan counterparts that are just as delicious as the originals you know and love. In addition to dairy-free vegan substitutes, there are also a whole slew of foods that you might expect to contain dairy that are actually free from it! Here are 12 dairy-free foods you can pick up at the grocery store and enjoy without hives or stomach discomfort.

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Elmhurst Chocolate Oat Milk

Most of us are well aware of all the vegan-friendly nut milks on the market today (see here for the best non-dairy milks for every use) but one of the latest offerings to hit the market is this decadent oat-based chocolate milk with 20 grams of whole grains per serving. It’s even better than the dairy chocolate milk you remember drinking as a child.

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Dark Chocolate

The 70%, 85% and 90% dark chocolate bars from Lindt are all non-dairy, with no milk added. Many other dark chocolate varieties are dairy-free as well, just make sure to read your labels!

Want to incorporate dark chocolate into your baking routine? Try it in this Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

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Graham Crackers

Classic graham crackers are typically dairy-free (though many brands contain honey, so be sure to check the label if looking for a vegan option!). Since extra-dark chocolate and marshmallows are also non-dairy foods, you know what that means: S’mores are also a dairy-free delicacy!

See here to learn how to make irresistible s’mores cookie bars

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Triscuit Crackers

These crunchy snacks are dairy free, including the original flavour and specialty flavours, like garlic herb.

Try dipping them into this Loaded Hummus for a satisfying snack.

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Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

Miss those flaky, buttery pillows of perfection? You can pick up a tube of Pillsbury Crescent rolls to fill your craving, because they don’t contain any dairy products. Pillsbury’s pizza dough and apple and cherry turnovers are also dairy-free.

Surprising Foods You Won't Believe Are Dairy-Free (2024)

FAQs

Surprising Foods You Won't Believe Are Dairy-Free? ›

Classic graham crackers are typically dairy-free (though many brands contain honey, so be sure to check the label if looking for a vegan option!). Since extra-dark chocolate and marshmallows are also non-dairy foods, you know what that means: S'mores are also a dairy-free delicacy!

What foods should you avoid if you are dairy-free? ›

A dairy-free diet includes avoiding all or most dairy products including milk, butter, yoghurt, cheese, cream and ice cream. Unlike a vegan or plant-based diet, a dairy-free still includes other animal products, such as meat, fish and eggs.

What foods to cut out when going dairy-free? ›

All cow's milk products contain dairy, including:
  • milk (including dry/powdered milk)
  • buttermilk.
  • cheese.
  • yogurt.
  • cream/half and half.
  • ice cream.
  • butter and ghee.
  • pudding and custard.

What things unexpectedly have dairy in them? ›

10 Surprising Foods that Contain Milk
  • co*cktails and Mocktails. ...
  • Battered and Fried Foods. ...
  • Salad Dressings. ...
  • Nougat. ...
  • Sherbet and Sorbet. ...
  • All-Beef Hot Dogs. ...
  • Deli Meats and Sausages. ...
  • Gravy and Bouillon.
Nov 30, 2022

What 4 foods are not considered dairy products? ›

Foods That Do Not Contain Dairy
Non-dairy FoodNutrients
Fish and seafoodCalcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, omega fatty acids
EggsProtein, fat, Vit B, Vit D, iron, potassium
Vegetables and fruitsVitamins, minerals, amino acids, fibers
Nuts and seedsVitamins, minerals, amino acids, fibers
4 more rows
Apr 28, 2023

What foods are surprisingly dairy-free? ›

Classic graham crackers are typically dairy-free (though many brands contain honey, so be sure to check the label if looking for a vegan option!). Since extra-dark chocolate and marshmallows are also non-dairy foods, you know what that means: S'mores are also a dairy-free delicacy!

How to flush dairy out of your system quickly? ›

A: To flush dairy out of your system quickly, eliminate all dairy products from your diet and load up on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and seeds. These are high in fiber and acids that help break down and push out all milk proteins from your system. Also, set aside some time to work out.

What are 3 health conditions that are linked to dairy? ›

Milk and other dairy products are the top source of saturated fat in the American diet, contributing to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease.

Does mayonnaise have dairy? ›

Mayo is a permanent emulsion. The lecithin in egg yolk is an effective emulsifier that keeps it together. Dairy refers to products that are made from the milk of other mammals, such as cows, sheep, and goats. Mayonnaise doesn't have any milk products in it, so that means it doesn't have dairy.

What can trigger dairy intolerance? ›

Risk factors
  • Increasing age. Lactose intolerance usually appears in adulthood. ...
  • Ethnicity. Lactose intolerance is most common in people of African, Asian, Hispanic and American Indian descent.
  • Premature birth. ...
  • Diseases affecting the small intestine. ...
  • Certain cancer treatments.

What to eat when you can't have dairy? ›

There are a number of alternative foods and drinks available in supermarkets to replace milk and dairy products, such as:
  • soya milks, yoghurts and some cheeses.
  • rice, oat, almond, hazelnut, coconut, quinoa and potato milks.
  • foods that carry the "dairy-free" or "suitable for vegans" signs.

What diet avoids dairy? ›

Following a vegan diet means avoiding all animal products, including eggs and dairy. Other diet plans, such as paleo and Whole30, also eliminate dairy. Or, you just might not enjoy the taste of dairy or not want it all the time, and thus dairy-free alternatives might be the way to go.

How to go completely dairy-free? ›

To help build a healthy meal plan, first focus on getting in three to five servings of fruit and vegetables in per day. From there, you have several options for dairy-free alternatives: Milk substitutes: Alternatives like soy, almond, coconut, and oat milk can replace cow's milk.

What can't you eat if you can't eat dairy? ›

Here are some dairy products that you may want to avoid as part of a lactose-free diet:
  • milk — all types of cow's milk, goat's milk, and buffalo milk.
  • cheese — especially soft cheeses, such as cream cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and ricotta.
  • butter.
  • yogurt.
  • ice cream, frozen yogurt, and dairy-based sherbet.
  • buttermilk.
Mar 24, 2020

What should I avoid if I have a dairy allergy? ›

If you have a milk allergy, you should avoid the following:
  • Milk in all forms, including condensed, dry, evaporated and powdered milk.
  • Milk from other mammals, including goats and sheep.
  • Butter, including butter fat, butter oil and artificial butter flavor.
  • Buttermilk.
  • Cheese.
  • Cottage cheese and curds.

What does cutting out dairy do to your body? ›

1. You'll stop experiencing stomach pain, bloating, and gas. When your body can't break down lactose, it creates acids and gases in your intestinal tract, says Zeitlin—and those things cause painful stomach cramps, bloating, and gas.

What diet excludes dairy? ›

A dairy-free diet excludes animal milks and any products that contain them. Some people choose to go dairy-free because they have an allergy or intolerance, while others have a personal or ethical preference.

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