Dairy and Soy allergies

Jennifer - posted on 10/11/2009

I am having that same issue. We just got back from the beach. We mostly ate in and cooked ourselves. However, when I do go out to dinner. I typically let the wait staff know and I have salad and hamburgers. Ask them not to butter the bun, just a plain bun or not eat it all together. Pack oatmeal packages for breakfast. Olive Garden uses oil on their noodles and they will leave off the cheese. If you can make it with out the bread sticks. I hope it helps.

Shannon - posted on 10/11/2009

"Finding vegetarian restaurants may be helpful"... I fail to agree with this particular comment... mainly because I am highly allergic to soy and most vegitarian places, serve up lots of it. I can't even go into some places that are strictly vegan because I break out in hives just from inhaling the scent of the soy while it cooks.. however on that note, it is the same at most non vegan places... look for signs at restaurants or ask, what they fry things in or what type of oil they use to cook with. Most use canola in our area so that does help. Soy is in almost everything you eat... so be careful, lecithen is also soy (this rules out places like Panera if your child is highly allergic!!)

As far as dairy goes, I have learned to eat veggies steamed with lemon, seeming most margarines are also made of soy... Pastas, eating out just ask them to bring you the pasta with a red sauce... no butter on the pasta, some places automatically butter pasta...

It basically comes down to a lot of reading and asking of questions. ONce you get used to doing it, all falls into place. I wish you luck, it has been a very hard part of my life... trust me ther are days I would love to eat a McDonalds cheeseburger.... but the throwing up and hives after keep from doing it (they have soy fillers in their burgers too!)

Nicole - posted on 10/11/2009

My 5 month old daughter is also allergic to milk, however I'm able to have soy milk in my coffee in the morning. It has been VERY difficult, I too have a 3 year old as well so preparing meals has been stressful. I find that I eat the same things most of the time, potatoes, rice, veggies, fruit, rotisserie chicken, deli meat.... My advice for eating out is to always ask the waiter for dairy free options, you'd be surprised how they will help you out. My husband and I went out for our anniversary to a wonderful place and the chef prepared me an amazing dairy free dish..... I have wanted to stop breastfeeding and place her on special formula but I'm having a hard time getting there....

Kim - posted on 10/10/2009

My daughter is allergic to dairy, soy, beef, tomatoes and (formerly) chocolate. Organic foods are a good place to start! Pork has become my new best friend :) You might have to bring your own food along, as much as that stinks.

Terri - posted on 10/08/2009

Yes it has been a challenge. My daughter was allergic to Wheat, Soy, Dairy, Nuts, Shellfish, There was not anything I could eat LOL. But chicken salads, rice is your best friend LOL, alot of veggies and fruit, I found a great book with alot of recipes for people with allergies it is called The kids friendly Food Allergy cookbook. I hope this helps and good luck! I have been one year with this and the book helped.

Liz - posted on 10/07/2009

Hi Jennifer!



I was so happy to see your post. Not happy about the allergy, but there is ANOTHER MOM out there who has a baby with both dairy and soy allergies. My oldest is 3.5 and he had allergies to both milk and soy. As a precaution I avoided dairy with my youngest (now 1) and we just introduced dairy at the 1 year mark and so far so good. I am a huge dairy lover and it has been hard giving it up for almost 2 years.



I agree that eating out is a pain. Dairy is everywhere and in everything! If you can't find anything on the menu, there is no harm in asking the server if there is anything they can do for you. You'd be surprised by what a restaurant will do to accommodate a "no dairy" request. I've had places substitute cream sauces for or allow me to mix and match an entree for a certain price.



I find local diners or restaurants to be better with the no dairy thing, some chain restaurants are anal about substitutions. Sometimes I just ask before we are seated to save us the hassle at the table.



Hope this helps....happy vacationing!

Melissa - posted on 10/07/2009

Finding vegetarian restaurants may be helpful - I think it's pretty safe to say that every major city (and many not-so-major ones) have at least one, and they generally have dishes that are dairy free, or can be made dairy free to cater to those who are not just vegetarian, but vegan. Also, if you're in the states a lot of larger chains now, like Souper Salad, Panera Bread, Noodles and Company, have started to take food allergies very seriously. They will be printed either on the menu itself, or will be easily accessible to staff in an organized, alphabetized binder, such that it will be super simple for them to quickly look up your particular sensitivities and suggest a meal that's good for you! I myself am vegan, so I deal with eating out well at all kinds of restaurants and find that it's not too difficult, though that's just dairy and not soy. When it comes to nicer restaurants, calling ahead is extremely helpful, too. If you know there's a specific place you'd like to try - call before the dinner or lunch rush and ask if their chef would be able to prepare something for you that would be free of those extremely common allergens. Most chefs are happy to take on a challenge, and will be extra creative for you. I have been completely and totally spoiled at many restaurants, just because the chef had the day to let his imagination go and come up with something really special. It gives them something outside the norm to do, I guess! Good luck to you!