Dairy-Free Diets

Dairy Is One Of The Most Common Allergens

Healthy Nest Nutrition Can Help You Achieve A Healthy Dairy-Free Diet

There are two problems possibly working against you eating dairy.

Problem #1: Dairy Proteins
Casein and whey are the two proteins in dairy. Depending on the dairy product, their amounts dif­­fer.

Casein is also called caseinate. It is different than lactose intolerance, which is a lack of a digestive enzyme for lactose, a milk sugar. Many times, lactose intolerance goes hand-in-hand with casein intolerance.

Whey, which is used in food processing and is very often in post workout shakes, is a protein in dairy.

Milk/dairy products are one of the top two or three food allergens found in children and adults. They can contribute to poor sleep, asthma, eczema, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, hyperactivity, bronchitis, more frequent infections, non-seasonal allergic rhinitis, bed-wetting, growing pains, heartburn, indigestion, chronic diarrhea, chronic fatigue, depression and hyperactivity.

Problem #2: Lack of Lactase Enzyme (otherwise called lactose intolerance)
Lactose intolerance is a completely different other animal than issues with dairy proteins. Dairy requires an enzyme called lactase in order to digest it, and many adults do not have the required enzyme for full digestion. In fact, only babies have plentiful lactase enzymes in their systems. As we age, we have lost the ability to digest this food group—yet so many people eat lots of dairy. There are some dairy products that are easier to digest than others: raw dairy has its enzymes intact and is most digestible for people. Yogurt is also enzymically active and can be OK for some people. Hard cheese has some enzymes and may be easier to digest than softer cheeses for some.

How We Address Dairy Issues

First, we figure out if it’s the protein, a lack of enzyme in your system or a combo problem. If it’s enzyme, we can help you find your “sweet spot” — you might be able to eat some dairy foods that are enzymically active on their own (so you don’t have to use your own enzymes for breakdown).
If you do you need to eat a dairy-free diet, we work with you to find suitable alternatives (ingredients & recipes). Then, we work with you to make it doable for your life and coach you on how to deal with cravings or other emotional challenges.