Lactose Free Snacks

Let's talk, lactose intolerance...

In case you aren't already aware, Cian is lactose intolerant, & has been since birth (diagnosed at 3 months old).

*You might want to skip the next paragraph, unless you're geeky like me & interested in the biology side of things...

The body digests lactose using a substance called lactase. This breaks down lactose into two sugars called glucose and galactose, which can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream. People with lactose intolerance don't produce enough lactase, so lactose stays in the digestive system where it's fermented by bacteria. This leads to the production of various gases, which cause the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.

Taken from the NHS website.

Science lesson over... 

For us personally, a lactose free diet is second nature; it's all Cian's ever known.

It isn't a big deal, it pretty much just means avoiding milk/any foods containing milk... Although admittedly, menu restrictions in restaurants can be a bit tedious- what's with this new brioche bun obsession?!

I do however, understand how daunting it must be when you have little knowledge/support or your child is newly diagnosed & you suddenly have to alter their diet... As well as start reading ingredients lists more often than you read your favourite blog ;)

Some of the foods that you wouldn't expect to contain milk, that do, is really baffling...
But on the flip side, there are some foods you'd assume contain milk, but they actually don't.

I've compiled a short & 'sweet' list below:

• Organix oat bars - there's also other brands, but Cian's loved Organix from day one. They come in several flavours (Carrot cake is his fave) & they also don't contain any nonsense. Perfect for lunchboxes.
• Oreos - Cian would eat these every day if I'd allow him to. Aldi Cookies 'n Cream also don't contain milk. 
• Bourbon creams - one of the surprising discoveries for us. Not 100% sure if all brands are dairy free, but Tesco definitely are. I daren't buy them often because, well, chocoholic problems.
• Fox's Party rings - can you tell yet that my son's a massive biscuit fan?!
• Pink wafers - yep, another biscuit.
• Angel layer cake - Tesco, Morrison's, Sainsbury's are all safe, not sure about other brands. We often take this with us to parties, so that Cian doesn't have to miss out when birthday cake is passed around.
• Soreen banana loaf - the original/malt loaf contains milk, however the banana one doesn't... & it's nicer anyway. 
• Betty Crocker Devils Food Chocolate cake Mix- many of the Betty Crocker box cakes are actually dairy free, as well as their icing tubs. My mum often makes the chocolate cake, & Cian's always so excited knowing it's 'Cian friendly.' 
• Iceland Iced finger buns - other brands might also be safe, but I only know for sure about Iceland.
• 70% chocolate -  everything 70% or higher in Hotel Chocolat is dairy free; this is also the case for some other brands too.
• Ginger biscuits- we've tried several brands & they've all been lactose/dairy free.
• Bakery doughnuts- jam & ring should both be safe.
• Hot cross buns -  couldn't not list hot cross buns, especially as Easter Sunday was only 3 days ago. 
• Jelly - I've listed this quite obviously lactose free food because its good to note that if a restaurant doesn't have any lactose free desserts, but they do offer jelly & ice cream... Order the jelly without the ice cream. 
• Swedish Glace dairy free ice cream - Between home & grandparent's, Cian currently has raspberry, vanilla & chocolate on the go. What's a Sunday without pudding?!
• Popcorn - sweet, salted & cinema style are all lactose free. Toffee obviously isn't. 

Please do let me know in the comments below if you find this post helpful, likewise if you know of any sweet treats not included, that Cian is potentially missing out on x

N.B. If a product says 'may contain' then go ahead & enjoy. This simply means it has been handled around those ingredients- for intolerances you only have to worry about the ingredients actually used.

Please only take this as a guide & always check the ingredients, as whilst this list is correct, to the best of my knowledge, at the time of posting, products change regularly & I'm not a nutritionist.

Also, this post is not sponsored in any way, just my honest recommendations/discoveries from 4 years of feeding a lactose intolerant sweet snacks lover.