Some people need to avoid dairy products and cows' milk because their bodies cannot digest lactose (lactose intolerance) or they have an allergy to cows' milk protein.
There are a number of lactose-free dairy products available to buy that are suitable for people with lactose intolerance.
These contain the same vitamins and minerals as standard dairy products, but they also have an added enzyme called lactase, which helps digest any lactose so the products do not trigger any symptoms. Some people also choose not to have dairy products for other reasons – for example, because they follow a vegan diet.
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
If you're not able to, or choose not to, eat dairy products, you may be at risk of not getting enough calcium in your diet.