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Dairy Free Diabetic Diet

If you are diabetic and lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy, your doctor may recommend a dairy-free diet that falls within the parameters of your diabetic diet restrictions. Keep blood glucose levels steady while eliminating dairy so that your health does not suffer. Find alternate sources of protein and calcium when you can't eat cheese or drink milk and learn to check labels to avoid hidden dairy products.

  1. Eliminating Dairy

    • Before you eliminate dairy from your diet, check with your doctor. Make sure you will still be able to eat healthfully and keep your blood glucose under control without dairy products. Unless your doctor has directed an immediate change, try changing your diet gradually to avoid upsetting your system too much. Start by substituting one glass of milk each day with a glass of rice, almond or soy milk instead. Check the labels on your milk substitute to make sure they are not the sweetened or flavored varieties.

      Substitute a snack like fruit or a slice of whole-grain toast if your diet plan contains milk and you don't drink milk. Choose foods with a similar glycemic index to low-fat milk when substituting for milk in your diet plan. Eat high-calcium vegetables like broccoli to help make up for the calcium you are not getting from dairy products. Your doctor may want you to take a calcium or vitamin D supplement when you eliminate dairy from your diet.

    Living Dairy-Free

    • Once you've eliminated cheese and milk from your diet, check labels to eliminate dairy from other sources. Many baked goods contain dairy ingredients. Instead of pastry, eat fruit or ice pops for dessert if your diet allows. Look for dairy-free baking mixes. Watch for labels listing ingredients like whey, ghee, casein, rennet, casein and lactose, which are derivatives of dairy.

      Cook foods in your own kitchen from scratch instead of using boxed mixes for side dishes or eating canned soups, which can contain dairy ingredients. Use plain frozen vegetables, seasoned with herbs, instead of frozen vegetable side dishes containing pre-made sauces. When you eat out, inform your server about your dietary restrictions. Ask for food without cheese or prepared sauces. Dress your salad with vinaigrette (if it does not contain sugar) or oil and vinegar and ask your server to leave off croutons and cheese.

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