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Introduction
Some children’s symptoms may be caused or made worse by foods containing cow’s milk, soya and egg. This diet sheet will help you to avoid all foods containing milk, soya and egg.
All milk, milk products, soya, egg and manufactured foods containing milk, soya and egg 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. If you are unsure, ask your dietitian for advice.
Some substitute milks available in health food shops and supermarkets are not nutritionally adequate for children and should not be given to your child unless agreed with your dietitian.
Under One Year Old
You may continue to breastfeed your baby. However, you may need to follow a milk, soya and egg-free diet yourself if you are breastfeeding your child. Ask your Dietitian for further written advice.
If your baby is drinking infant formula, this will need to be changed to a hypoallergenic infant formula. These are available on prescription from your GP.
Over One Year Old
Breast milk
You may continue to breast feed, but you may need to continue excluding cow’s milk, soya and egg
Hypoallergenic formula
Your dietitian may recommend continuing this beyond 1 year if age.
Plant-based milk alternatives
Some plant milks may be suitable, but can vary in their energy, protein, calcium and iodine content. It is important to check the label and compare brands, but your dietitian can advise you on this - some examples of these are as follows:
Oat Milk e.g. Oatley, Oat Dream, shops’ own brands
These can be used instead of milk if your child is not also avoiding gluten. They are available from some supermarkets and health food stores. Buy a brand that has a high calorie content and added calcium and iodine.
Coconut Milk e.g. Koko, Koko Super, shops’ own brands
These are available from some supermarkets and health food stores and tend to be low in protein and energy - check the label and make sure the brand you are buying contains added calcium and iodine.
Nut Based Milk e.g. Alpro, Almond Breeze, shops’ own brands
These milks are generally based on almonds or hazelnuts. They can be used unless there is a concern about a possible nut allergy. These tend to be low in protein and energy - check the label and make sure the brand you are buying contains added calcium.
Pea Based Milk E.g. Mighty pea, shops own brand
They can be used unless there is a concern about a possible pea/ legume allergy. Check your brand contains additional calcium, vitamins and iodine if needed.
Good Hemp
This is available from some supermarkets and health food stores. Be aware this is low in calories and protein and does not contain added calcium.
Organic brands of alternative milks are often not fortified with calcium—check the label.
Other Milks (Avoid)
Soya Milk
Must be avoided
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 and A2 Milk
These milks should be avoided, as they contain cows’ milk protein.
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
Labelling
By law any manufactured food containing milk, soya or egg or derivatives must be highlighted on the ingredients list in bold, underlined or italics.
Manufactured Foods
When you buy any tinned, packet or other processed foods, the list of ingredients should always be checked. Milk, soya and egg are present in foods in many ways.
Milk, soya and egg derivatives are listed below and any foods containing these ingredients should be avoided:
Milk
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Buttermilk |
Casein and caseinates |
Milk solids |
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Milk powder |
Non-fat milk solids |
Butter |
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Shortening |
Skimmed milk powder |
Margarine |
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Artificial cream |
Hydrolysed whey protein |
Cream |
|
Yoghurt |
Whey syrup sweeteners |
Lactose |
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Cheese powder |
Hydrolysed whey sugar |
Cheese |
|
Whey powder |
Soya
|
Soya margarine |
Soya derived additives (E471, E472) |
Soya bean |
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Lecithin (E322) |
Soya bean curd (tofu) |
Soya milk |
|
Soya flour |
Hydrolysed vegetable protein |
Soya sauce |
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Tempeh |
Tofu |
Miso |
|
Edamame beans |
|
|
Egg
|
Whole egg |
Egg white |
Egg yolk |
|
Egg albumen |
Egg yolk |
Dried egg |
|
Egg lecithin (E322) |
Whole egg |
If the food contains milk, soya or eggs this should be clearly shown. Manufactured food sold packaged will have their ingredients stated on the label
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. You may need to ask if the information is not displayed.
May Contain Labels
Some food labels say, for example, ‘may contain milk’, ‘may contain soya’ or ‘may contain egg’. This means that although milk, soya or egg are not deliberately added to the food the manufacturers cannot guarantee that the product does not contain small amounts of milk, soya or egg.
If you have a milk, soya or egg allergy these food products should be avoided.
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Foods Allowed |
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Milk Milk substitute: Choose the carton that contains added calcium and vitamins. UHT and fresh versions may be available |
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Milk Products
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Eggs
|
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Breakfast Cereals (using milk substitute)
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Breads
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Foods to Avoid |
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Milk
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Milk Products
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Eggs
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Breakfast Cereals
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Breads
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Foods Allowed |
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Flours, Grains and Pasta
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Meats, Poultry and Alternatives
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Fish and Fish Products
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Vegetables
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Fruit and Nuts
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Foods to Avoid |
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Flours, Grains and Pasta
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Meats, Poultry and Alternatives
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Fish and Fish Products
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Vegetables
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Fruit and Nuts
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Foods Allowed |
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Biscuits and Cakes
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Puddings and Desserts
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Soups and Sauces
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Fats and Oils
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Sugar and Confectionery
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Foods to Avoid |
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Biscuits and Cakes
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Puddings and Desserts
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Soups and Sauces
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Fats and Oils
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Sugar and Confectionery
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Foods Allowed |
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Preserves and Spreads
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Beverages
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Miscellaneous
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Foods to Avoid |
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Preserves and Spreads
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Beverages
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Miscellaneous
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Sample Meal Plan
Breakfast
- Milk, soya and egg free cereal with milk substitute
- Milk, soya and egg free bread toasted with milk free spread, jam, nut butter
- Fruit
- Fruit juice or water
Mid-morning/Mid-afternoon
- Milk substitute, squash or water
- Plain crisps, popcorn, milk, soya and egg free cake or biscuit, fruit
Snack Meal
- Sandwich with suitable bread and spread
- Meat, fish, poultry or vegetarian filling
- Salad or vegetable sticks
- Fresh fruit
Main Meal
- Meat, fish, poultry or vegetarian alternative
- Potato, rice, quinoa or egg free pasta
- Vegetables or salad
- Fresh fruit, canned fruit, jelly or pudding made without milk, soya and egg or using milk, soya and egg free substitutes
Before Bed
- Milk substitute or cocoa made with milk substitute
- Milk, soya and egg free bread toasted with milk free spread and jam
- Milk, soya and egg free cereal with milk substitute
Baby Foods
Many commercial baby foods contain milk or milk products, soya or egg.
Remember to check the label. You may wish to contact the company to received an up-to-date product list.
Egg Substitutes
- Loprofin Egg Replacer
(Nutricia Ltd - www.
- Ener-G Egg Replacer
- Orgran ‘No Egg’
Community Foods via health food shops
www.
- PK Foods Egg Replacer
(PK Foods - 020 8953 444 )
www.
Recipes
Recipes for egg free cakes can be found on the Vegan Society website
Egg Substitutes That Can be Used in Baking
- ¼ tsp xanthan gum and extra milk
- 1 tbsp of potato flour with 2 tbsp water
- ½ large banana mashed
- 1 tbsp. (50g) pureed fruit (apples, pears, apricots or prunes)
- 50g coconut cream
Calcium Supplements
If your child refuses to drink a suitable milk 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, either on prescription or to buy over the counter.
Other Sources of Calcium
- Rice or oat milk with added calcium
- Oranges
- Baked beans
- Broccoli
- Canned sardines with bones
Your Dietitian can give you more ideas on foods rich in calcium.
Tablets and Medicines
Some medicines may contain milk, lactose or soya as a filler so check with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure they are suitable.
Publications
Allergy Free Cookbook
By Alice Sherwood
Publisher: DK Books - ISBN: 978 1 4053 1260 8 - £14.99
Food Allergies: Enjoying Life with a Severe Food Allergy, 2nd Edition
By Tanya Wright RD
Publisher: Class Publishing, London - ISBN: 978 1 85959 146 8
How to Cook for Food Allergies
By Lucinda Brune-Gardyne, 2007
Publisher: Rodale - ISBN: 978-905744 04 6
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.
Useful Addresses
H J Heinz Co Ltd
www.
Allergy UK
www.
The Anaphylaxis Campaign
www.
Rice Dream
www.
Alpro
www.
Oatly
www.
Kallo Foods Ltd
www.
Catalogue of Products
www.
Other Useful Website
www.
www.
Cheese - Free from Soya and Milk
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Violife |
www.violifefoods.com |
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Cathedral City |
www.cathedralcity.co.uk |
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Nush |
www.nushfoods.co.uk |
Recipe for Milk Jelly
- Dissolve a packet of jelly in 250ml of hot water then allow to cool until semi set/at room temperature
- Whisk in 250mls of milk substitute (soya/oat milk or cream)
- Put into fridge to set - serve with fresh or tinned fruit
Supermarket Nutritional Services
They may be able to provide you with lists of their own brand foods which are suitable on a diet free from milk, egg and soya.
Aldi Stores - www.
Asda - www.
Coop - www.
Lidl - www.
Tesco - www.
Marks & Spencer - www.
Morrison’s - www.
Sainsburys - www.
Waitrose - www.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Dietetics service.
About this information
Service:
Dietetics
Reference:
DT/115
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.