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Introduction

Some children cannot tolerate milk or soya. This is usually caused by a sensitivity to the protein in milk and soya, or more rarely the sugar found in milk (lactose).

All milk, milk products, soya and soya products and manufactured foods containing milk or soya must be excluded from the diet.

Milk Substitutes

When milk is excluded from the diet a substitute is needed to provide the nutrition that your child needs for healthy growth and development. Many milk substitutes are fortified with vitamins and minerals and may be nutritionally adequate, unless labelled as organic as these are not fortified with calcium.

There are also other substitute milks available in health food shops and supermarkets which are not nutritionally adequate and should not be given to your child unless agreed with your dietitian.

Under 1 Year Old

You may continue to breast feed your baby however, you may be advised to follow a milk and soya free diet yourself whilst doing so.

If your baby is drinking infant formula, it will be changed to a hypoallergenic infant formula. These are available on prescription from your GP. You can use alternative milks in food and cooking from 6 months old, but they should not be used as a main drink until over 1 year old.

Over One Year Old

  • Soya Milk

This should be avoided.
 
The following milks are suitable substitutes; many brands are available. Alpro Oat growing up milk is one of the closest to cow’s milk in terms of nutrient profile. Koko Super 9 is also a close alternative, but there are always new brands and shops’ own brands being made available. Check labels to ensure they are fortified with calcium.

  • Oat Milk
  • Coconut Milk 
  • Nut milks e.g. Almond milk, Hazelnut milk, Cashew milk
  • Pea milk 
  • Hemp milk

Other Milks

  • Goats, Sheep and Buffalo Milk 
    • These milks should be excluded as their protein is similar to that of cow’s milk and may cause similar reactions.
  • Lacto-free Milk 
    • This milk should be avoided.
  • A2 milk
    • This milk should be avoided.

Over Four and a Half Years Old

  • Rice Milk 
    • This should not be given until over the age of four and a half years old.

Manufactured Foods 

When you buy any tinned, packet or other processed foods, the list of ingredients should always be checked. Milk and soya are present in foods in many different forms. Milk and soya derivatives are listed below and any foods containing these ingredients should be avoided:

Buttermilk

Casein and Caseinates

Milk Solids

Milk Powder

Non-fat Milk Solids

Butter

Shortening

Skimmed Milk Powder

Margarine

Artificial Cream

Hydrolysed Whey Protein

Cream

Yogurt

Whey Syrup Sweeteners

Lactose

Cheese Powder

Hydrolysed Whey Sugar

Cheese

Whey Powder

 

 

Soya

Soya Sauce

Soya Margarine

Soya Flour

Soya Bean

Soya Bean Curd (tofu)

Soya Milk

Soya Derived Additives (E461, E472)

Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein

Lecithin (E322)

Manufactured foods sold packaged will have their ingredients stated on the label. If the food contains milk or soya this should be clearly shown. 

Loose, Unwrapped and Unpackaged foods

Any foods sold loose, or unwrapped or unpackaged foods may be at risk of cross contamination. Information about the ingredients should be available at the point of purchase.

‘May Contain’ Labels

Some food labels say, ‘may contain milk,’ or ‘may contain soya’. This means that although milk and soya are not deliberately added to the food, the manufacturers cannot guarantee that the product does not contain small amounts of them. If your child has a milk or soya allergy these food products should be avoided.

Useful sources of information:
 
Allergy Uk www.allergyuk.org
NHS choices www.nhs.uk
British Dietetic Association www.bda.org.uk
 
For recipes and ideas:
www.alpro.com
www.oatly.com
www.kokodairyfree.com
 
Supermarket websites can be very helpful and have lists of products which are milk and soya free
 

Foods Allowed

Milk

Milk substitute:

Choose the carton that contains added calcium and vitamins. UHT and fresh versions may be available 

Milk Products

  • Non-dairy cream, cheese, yoghurts, custard

Eggs

  • Boiled, poached and fried.
  • Omelette or scrambled egg made using milk substitute and dairy free spread

Fats & Oils

  • Dairy free margarine
  • Kosher margarine e.g. Tomor.
  • Vegetable (not soya) or olive oil

Breakfast Cereals (using milk substitute)

  • Porridge oats, Cornflakes, Rice Krispies, Coco Pops, Weetabix, Cheerios. 
  • Other cereals only if known to be milk and soya free.

Flours, Grains & Pasta

  • Wheat, rye, rice, barley, oats, sago, quinoa, semolina, cornflour, tapioca, couscous, macaroni, spaghetti and any other plain boiled pasta

Breads

  • Wholemeal, granary and white bread only if known to be milk and soya free.
  • Focaccia, ciabatta

Foods to Avoid

Milk

  • Cow’s milk – full fat, semi skimmed, skimmed, sterilised, UHT, milkshakes
  • Sheep, goat and buffalo milk. Soya milk
  • Dried milk, Coffee Mate and other coffee creamers.
  • Evaporated and condensed milk

Milk Products

  • Fromage frais, yoghurt, soya yogurts and desserts, yoghurt drinks, mousse, ice-cream, soya ice-cream, soya custard
  • Cream - double, single, whipping, clotted and artificial cream.
  • Cheese, soya cheese, cheese spread, cottage cheese, curd cheese, cream cheese, vegetarian cheese

Eggs

  • Scotch egg

Fats & Oils

  • Soya margarine and oil,
  • Butter, Ghee and any other margarine or low fat spread unless known to be milk and soya free.

Breakfast Cereals

  • Original Ready Brek, Oat so simple, Coco Rocks, Weetos and other chocolate flavoured cereals.
  • Muesli and other cereal unless known to be milk and soya free.

Flours, Grains & Pasta

  • Soya flour, instant custard and dessert mixes.
  • Macaroni cheese, tinned spaghetti and pasta shapes in sauce unless known to be milk and soya free.

Breads

  • Milk bread, Procea, Danish loaf, crisp breads, croissants, brioche, bagels, bread sticks, muffins, crumpets, Naan bread, garlic bread unless known to be milk and soya free.

Foods Allowed

Meats, Poultry & Alternatives

  • All fresh or frozen meat and poultry.
  • Gravy, sauces and stews made with milk and soya free ingredients.
  • Processed and pre-packaged meat only if known to be milk and soya free.
  • Lentils, beans and pulses

Fish & Fish Products

  • All fresh or frozen fish or shellfish.
  • Canned fish in brine.
  • Sauces and stews made without milk, cream or soya products.
  • Processed and pre-packaged fish only if known to be milk and soya free

Vegetables

  • All fresh, frozen and dried vegetables.
  • Canned vegetables in brine.
  • Mashed potato with milk substitute and milk free margarine.
  • Plain potato crisps not low-fat crisps

Fruit & Nuts

  • Fresh, frozen, dried fruit.
  • Canned fruit in juice or syrup.
  • Plain, roasted or salted nuts (whole nuts should not be given to children under 5 due to the risk of choking)

Biscuits & Cakes

  • Home-made biscuits and cakes made with milk and soya free ingredients.
  • Manufactured biscuits and cakes only if known to be milk and soya free

Foods to Avoid

Meats, Poultry & Alternatives

  • ‘Made up’ meat dishes e.g. sausages, burgers, hot dogs, faggots, meatballs, rissoles, tinned meats, meat loaf.
  • Meat in batter or breadcrumbs e.g. chicken nuggets unless known to be milk and soya free.
  • Tofu, Vegetarian burgers, Textured vegetarian protein (TVP), grills, ‘made up’ dishes unless known to be milk and soya free

Fish & Fish Products

  • Canned fish in soya oil.
  • ‘Made up’ fish dishes unless known to be milk and soya free.
  • Fish in batter or breadcrumbs e.g. fish fingers unless known to be milk and soya free

Vegetables

  • Mashed potato with ordinary milk and butter.
  • Canned vegetables in sauce.
  • Potato salad, coleslaw.
  • Flavoured potato crisps.
  • Potato waffles, croquette potatoes.
  • Vegetables in batter or breadcrumbs unless known to be milk and soya free

Fruit & Nuts

  • Fruit pie fillings unless known to be milk and soya free.
  • Coated or dry roasted nuts unless known to be milk and soya free

Biscuits & Cakes

  • All other biscuits and cakes unless known to be milk and soya free

Foods Allowed

Puddings & Desserts

  • Jelly, meringue.
  • Fruit – fresh or canned in juice or syrup.
  • Custard and other milk puddings made with milk and soya substitute.
  • Pies, crumbles and sponges made with milk and soya free ingredients.
  • Sorbets and ice lollies only if known to be milk and soya free

Soups & Sauces

  • Home-made soups without milk, cream or soya.
  • Sauces made with milk and soya substitute.
  • Home-made gravy, Marmite, Oxo, Bovril.
  • Ketchup, salsa, tomato-based sauces only if known to be milk and soya free

Sugar & Confectionery

  • Sugar, glucose.
  • Boiled sweets, lollies, pastilles and fruit gums.
  • Marshmallows and mints.

Preserves & Spreads

  • Honey (not for under 1 year old), marmalade, syrup, jam and treacle.
  • Mincemeat.
  • Peanut butter only if known to be milk and soya free

Beverages

  • Milk substitute.
  • Tea, coffee, cocoa without milk or soya or using milk and soya substitute.
  • Milkshake powder or syrups only if known to be milk and soya free.
  • Mineral waters, fizzy drinks, squash, fruit juices

Miscellaneous

  • Baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cream of tartar, yeast.
  • Herbs, spice, salt, pepper, vinegar, essences, herbs, spices.
  • Colourings, gelatine

Foods to Avoid

Puddings & Desserts

  • Yoghurts, fromage frais, mousse and ice cream.
  • Instant custard, desserts, blancmange
  • Pies, crumbles and sponges unless known to be milk and soya free.
  • Swedish glace ice dessert.

Soups & Sauces

  • Canned and packet soups.
  • White, parsley, butter and cheese sauces, mayonnaise, salad cream.
  • Gravy mixes, stock cubes and browning unless known to be milk and soya free

Sugar & Confectionery

  • Artificial sweeteners that contain lactose, unless known to be milk and soya free.
  • Fudge, milk chocolate, toffee, Maynards fruit gums and all other sweets and chocolates unless known to be milk and soya free

Preserves & Spreads

  • Lemon curd, chocolate spread.
  • Sandwich spread, mayonnaise, salad cream , paste unless known to be milk and soya free

Beverages

  • Milk, milkshakes, malted drinks
  • Drinking chocolate and other chocolate drinks

Miscellaneous

  • Medicines and tablets containing lactose.
  • Blended spices.
  • Monosodium glutamate containing lactose

Sample Meal Plan

Breakfast

  • Milk and soya free cereal with milk and soya free substitute
  • Toast with milk and soya free margarine and jam
  • Fruit 
  • Fruit juice, squash or water

Mid-morning/Mid-afternoon

  • Milk and soya substitute, squash or water
  • Plain crisps, milk and soya free biscuit or cake, fruit

Snack Meal

  • Sandwich with suitable bread and margarine
  • Meat, fish, poultry, egg or vegetarian filling
  • Salad or vegetable sticks
  • Fresh fruit
  • Fruit juice, squash or water

Main Meal

  • Meat, fish, poultry, egg or vegetarian alternative
  • Potato, rice, pasta or bread
  • Vegetables or salad
  • Fresh fruit, canned fruit, jelly or pudding made without milk and soya or using milk and soya substitute
  • Fruit juice, squash or water

Before Bed

  • Milk and soya substitute or cocoa made with milk and soya substitute
  • Toast with milk and soya free margarine and jam

Baby Foods

Many commercial baby foods contain milk or milk products. Remember to check the label. You may wish to contact the company to receive an up-to-date product list.

Homemade Weaning Foods

Suitable first weaning foods are pureed fruits and vegetables. These should be cooked with no added salt or sugar and pureed using a blender, liquidiser or sieve.  Water or milk substitute 
should be added to ensure a smooth consistency.

Suitable Finger Foods

By 6-7 months your baby can be offered finger foods to encourage self-feeding.

Suitable milk and soya free finger foods include: 

  • Cooked vegetable sticks e.g. carrot, courgette
  • Pieces of peeled fruits e.g. banana, soft tinned fruit, apple or pear
  • Milk and soya free biscuits or breadsticks
  • Fingers of toast with a milk and soya free margarine
  • Cooked pasta shapes
  • Baby rice cakes or milk and soya free cereal

School Dinners

It should be possible to arrange milk and soya free meals at school or nursery. Your dietitian will be able to provide information about the diet to make it easier for the school. Alternatively, your child can take a milk and soya free packed lunch.

Tablets and Medicines

Some medicines may contain milk or lecithin so check with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure they are suitable.

Calcium Supplements

If your child refuses to drink a suitable milk and soya substitute or take enough with breakfast cereals and puddings, it may be necessary to start a calcium supplement. Your dietitian will recommend a suitable calcium supplement that is available on prescription.
 
Other sources of calcium: 

  • Milk and soya free yoghurt/custard/ desert
  • Fortified cereal
  • White or brown bread
  • Broccoli
  • Baked beans
  • Oranges
  • Canned sardines with bones

Milk and Soya Challenge

Many children grow out of sensitivities as they get older. Your doctor or dietitian will suggest that milk and/or soya is reintroduced into your child’s diet at some stage and will provide you with the necessary instructions.

If there is a possibility that your child may react severely it will be recommended that the challenge is given under hospital supervision. Some children require a life-long milk and soya free diet.

Eating Out

If you are eating out with your child, ask about ingredients before you go. If you are not sure do not give it to your child to eat. 

Contact Information

Frimley Park Hospital: 0300 613 4053
Email: fhft.paediatricdietitiansfph@nhs.net

Wexham Park Hospital: 0300 615 3232
E-mail: fhft.paediatricdietitianswph@nhs.net
 

 

Contact us

If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Dietetics service.

About this information

Service:
Dietetics

Reference:
DT/110

Approval date:
1 June 2026

Review date:
1 June 2029

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Important note 

This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.