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Introduction

Some children’s symptoms may be caused or made worse by foods containing cow’s milk, wheat and egg. This diet sheet will help you to avoid all these foods.

All milk, milk products, wheat and egg and manufactured foods containing these ingredients 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. 

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

Under One Year Old 

You may continue to breast feed your baby. If you are breast feeding, you may wish to follow a milk free diet yourself. 

If your baby is drinking infant formula, it will need to be changed to a hypoallergenic formula. These are available on prescription from your GP. 

Over One Year Old 

Soya Milk 

Many children who are intolerant to milk are also intolerant to soya. Although this makes the diet quite restrictive, your doctor may advise you avoid soya, especially in the first six weeks. 

After this time, your doctor may suggest a trial re-introduction. If soya milk is tolerated other soya products can be used e.g. cheese/yogurts/custard. Choose the cartons that have calcium added to them. 

If your child is avoiding soya the following alternatives may be used:

Good Hemp 

This is available from some supermarkets and health food stores; it contains added calcium.

Oat Milk e.g. Oatly, Oat Dream, Alpro Growing Up, shops own brand 

This can be used instead of milk if your child is not also avoiding gluten. This is available from some supermarkets and health food stores; choose the carton with added calcium. 

Coconut Milk e.g. Koko, shops own brand 

This is available from some supermarkets and health food stores; it contains added calcium.

A2 Milk 

This should be avoided as it contains cows’ milk protein

Over Four and a Half Years Old 

Rice Milk 

Most supermarkets and health food shops stock various brands. If your child is also excluding gluten from their diet, avoid Rice Dream. 

If possible, buy a brand that has calcium added to it e.g. Provamel, Rice n Easy, Freedom 

Other Milks 

Goats, Sheep and Buffalo Milk 

These should be excluded as their protein is similar to that of cow’s milk and may cause similar reactions. 

Lactofree Milk 

This product should be avoided because it contains cow’s milk protein. 

Nut Milk 

For example, Ecomil, Rice Dream Hazelnut-Almond can be used unless there is also a concern about possible nut allergy.

Labelling 

By law, any manufactured food containing milk, wheat or egg or its derivatives must be highlighted on the ingredients list, normally in bold. 

Manufactured Foods 

When you buy any tinned, packet or other processed foods, the list of ingredients should always be checked. 

Milk, egg and wheat are present in foods in many different ways. Milk, egg and wheat derivatives are listed below and any foods containing these ingredients should be avoided:

Milk

 

Whey powder

Casein

Milk solids

Buttermilk

Caseinates

Butter

Milk powder

Non-fat milk solids

Margarine

Shortening

Skimmed milk powder

Cream

Artificial cream

Hydrolysed whey protein

Lactose

Cheese

Whey syrup sweeteners

Yoghurt

Cheese powder

Hydrolysed whey sugar

Condensed milk

Monosodium glutamate with lactose

Egg

 

Egg lecithin

Egg white

Whole egg

Globulin

Egg albumen

Egg yolk

Dried egg

Livetin

Meringue

Pasteurized egg

Albumin

Powdered egg

Wheat

 

Breadcrumbs

Wheat bran

Pasta

Wheat gluten

Wheat binder

Couscous

Wheat starch

Wheat germ

Semolina

Bulgur wheat

Wheat germ oil

Rusk

Wheat thickener

Bran

 

Wheat flour and bread, cakes and biscuits made with wheat flour

Foods Allowed

Milk

Milk substitute:

  • Try and choose fortified alternatives that contains added calcium and vitamins. UHT and fresh versions may be available

Milk Products

  • If your child is allowed soya milk you can also give special soya
  • products such as yoghurts, flavoured milks, desserts, custard and ice cream
  • Dairy free cheeses (e.g. Cheezly, Sheese, Tofutti)
  • Non-dairy cream made with vegetable oil e.g. Alpro
  • Oatly cream, Oatly custard, Oatly barista

Breakfast Cereals (using milk substitute)

  • Cornflakes, Rice Krispies, Coco Pops, porridge oats, Oatibix,
  • Oat So Simple, Natures Path, Doves Farm, Orgran ’free from’
  • Cereals, porridge
  • Other cereals only if known to be milk, wheat and egg free

Flours, Grains and Pasta

  • Millet, rice, ground rice, sago, quinoa, cornflour, tapioca, cornmeal, maize, rye, barley and oats, buckwheat, rice, potato, soya flour, Doves Farm wheat free flour range
  • Wheat free pastas from supermarket ‘free from’ ranges

Breads

  • Special milk, egg and wheat free breads
  • Rice cakes, oat cakes, corn cakes, Ryvita (original dark, rye, sesame)

Foods to Avoid

Milk

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

Milk Products

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

Breakfast Cereals

  • Cornflakes multigrain, Cheerios, Coco Pops, Weetos and other chocolate-flavored cereals
  • Special K, muesli and other cereal unless it is known to be milk, wheat and egg free

Flour, Grains and Pasta

  • Wheat, Semolina, Wheat flour and pasta
  • Instant custard and desert mixes unless it is known to be milk, wheat and egg free

Bread

  • All other breads, Croissants, Parantha, Pitts, Naan, Chapatti, Fruit loaf
  • Ryvita Breaks and Minis, Crispbread and crackers
  • Egg wash or glaze is commonly brushed onto the surface of rolls, buns or baps and bread, cakes and pastries used in puddings (e.g. apple pie)
  • Egg can be used to stick seeds onto foods (e.g. sesame seeds onto burger buns)

Foods Allowed

Meats, Poultry and Alternatives

  • All fresh or frozen meat and poultry
  • Gravy, sauces and stews made without milk, wheat or egg
  • Processed and pre-packaged meat only if known to be milk, wheat and egg free

Fish and Fish Products

  • All fresh or frozen fish or shellfish and canned fish in brine or oil
  • Sauces and stews made with milk substitute and milk free margarine
  • Processed and pre-packaged fish only if known to be milk, wheat and egg free

Vegetables

  • All fresh, frozen and dried vegetables and potato
  • Canned vegetables in brine
  • Mashed potato with milk substitute and milk free margarine
  • Oven chips only if known to be milk, wheat and egg free
  • Plain potato crisps not low-fat crisps
  • Lentils, beans and pulses

Fats and Olis

  • Dairy free margarine (e.g. Pure, Vitalite or shops own brand)
  • Kosher margarine (e.g. Tomor)
  • Vegetable and olive oil

Eggs

  • Egg substitute

Foods To Avoid

Meats, Poultry and Alternatives

  • Made up meat dished- sausages, burgers, hot dogs, faggots, meatballs, rissoles, tinned meats
  • Meat in batter or breadcrumbs- chicken nuggets unless know to be milk, wheat and egg free
  • Vegetarian burgers, grills, ‘made up’ dishes unless know to be milk, wheat, egg free

Fish and Fish Products

  • Canned fish in sauce, ‘made up’ fish dishes or fish in batter or breadcrumbs- fish fingers unless know to be milk, wheat, egg free

Vegetables

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

Fats and Olis

  • Butter, Ghee and any other margarine or low-fat spread unless known to be milk, soya, wheat and egg free

Eggs

  • All eggs, white, yolk and dried egg - boiled, poached and fried
  • Scotch egg, scrambled and omelettes, egg custard, glazes on pastry dishes

Foods Allowed

Foods Allowed

Soups and Sauces

  • Home-made soups without milk, cream, pasta, wheat flour or egg
  • Sauces made with milk substitute and cornflour
  • Home-made gravy, Marmite, Bovril, Vegemite
  • Ketchup, salsa, tomato-based sauces only if known to be milk, wheat and egg free

Biscuits and Cakes

  • Home-made biscuits and cakes made with milk, egg and wheat free ingredients
  • Supermarket ‘free from’ range

Puddings and Desserts

  • Jelly
  • Fruit – fresh or canned in juice or syrup
  • Wot no dairy? and Coyo
  • Shops own free from desserts if known to be milk, wheat and egg free
  • Milk puddings made with milk substitute using wheat free cereals e.g. rice pudding
  • Pies, crumbles and sponges made with milk, wheat and egg free ingredients
  • Sorbets and ice lollies only if known to be milk, wheat and egg free
  • Swedish Glace ice dessert

Sugar and Confectionery

  • Sugar, glucose
  • Boiled sweets, lollies, pastilles and fruit gums

Fruit and 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)

Foods to Avoid

Soups and Sauces

  • Canned and packet soups
  • White, parsley, butter and cheese sauces
  • Gravy mixes, stock cubes and browning unless known to be milk, wheat and egg free

Biscuits and Cakes

  • All other biscuits and cakes unless known to be milk, wheat and egg free

Puddings and Desserts

  • Yoghurts, fromage frais, mousse and ice cream
  • Instant desserts, blancmange, meringue
  • Custard, semolina
  • Pies, crumbles and sponges unless known to be milk, wheat and egg free

Sugar and Confectionery

  • Artificial sweeteners that contain lactose e.g. Canderel, Sweet n Low unless known to be milk, wheat and egg free
  • Fudge, milk chocolate, toffee, Turkish Delight, fondant creams, wine gums, marshmallows and all other sweets and chocolates unless known to be milk, wheat and egg free

Fruit and Nuts

  • Fruit pie fillings unless known to be milk, wheat and egg free
  • Coated or dry roasted nuts unless known to be milk, wheat and egg free

Foods Allowed

Preserves and Spreads

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

Beverages

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

Miscellaneous

  • Wheat free baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cream of tartar, yeast
  • Herbs, spice, salt, pepper, vinegar, essences, herbs, spices
  • Colourings, gelatine

Baby Foods 

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

Recipe for Milk Jelly 

  1. Dissolve a packet of jelly in 250ml of hot water then allow to cool until semi set/at room temperature. 
  2. Whisk in 250mls of milk substitute (soya/oat milk or cream substitute). 
  3. Put into fridge to set - serve with fresh or tinned fruit

Foods to Avoid

Preserves and Spreads 

  • Lemon curd, chocolate spread, mincemeat 
  • Sandwich spread, mayonnaise, salad cream, paste unless known to be milk, egg and wheat free 

Beverages 

  • Milk, milkshakes 
  • Bournvita, Ovaltine, Horlicks 
  • Drinking chocolate and other chocolate drinks 

Miscellaneous 

  • Medicines and tablets containing lactose, egg or wheat filler 
  • Blended spices 
  • Monosodium glutamate containing lactose, egg or wheat filler 

Baking without Wheat 

Recipes made with flour other than wheat flour are often very crumbly. Xanthan gum can be added to wheat free recipes, particularly bread to help make a better product. 

Try adding ½ teaspoon per 180g of special flour for cakes and 1 teaspoon per 180g of special flour for bread. 

This is available in supermarket ‘free from’ aisles and health food shops. 

Tablets and Medicines 

Some medicines may contain milk, lactose, egg or wheat as a filler so check with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure they are suitable.

Sample Meal Plan 

Breakfast 

  • Milk, egg and wheat free cereal with milk substitute 
  • Milk, egg and wheat bread toasted with milk free margarine and jam 
  • Fruit 
  • Fruit juice or water 

Mid-morning/Mid-afternoon 

  • Milk substitute, squash or water 
  • Plain crisps, popcorn, milk, egg and wheat free cake or biscuit, fruit 

Snack Meal 

  • Sandwich with suitable bread and margarine 
  • Meat, fish, poultry, or vegetarian filling 
  • Salad or vegetable sticks 
  • Fresh fruit 

Main Meal 

  • Meat, fish, poultry or vegetarian alternative 
  • Potato, rice, quinoa or wheat free pasta 
  • Vegetables or salad 
  • Fresh fruit, canned fruit, jelly or pudding made without milk, egg or, wheat using a milk, egg and wheat free substitutes 

Before Bed 

  • Milk substitute or cocoa made with milk substitute 
  • Milk, egg and wheat free bread toasted with milk free margarine and jam 
  • Milk, egg and wheat free cereal with milk substitute 

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. Try this website: www.leaveitout.com  

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. 

Other Sources of Calcium 

  • Soya, rice and oat milk with added calcium 
  • Oranges 
  • Baked beans 
  • Broccoli 
  • Canned sardines with bones 

Ask your dietitian for further ideas on calcium rich foods 

School Dinners 

It may be possible to arrange milk, wheat and egg 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, wheat and egg free packed lunch. 

Milk, Wheat and Egg Challenge

Many children grow out of intolerances as they get older. Your doctor or dietitian will suggest that milk, wheat and egg are 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, egg and wheat free diet.

Egg Substitutes 

Loprofin Egg White Replacer 
Nutricia Ltd (www.nutricia.co.uk) 

Ener-G Low Protein Egg Replacer 
General Dietary Ltd - 0203 044 2933 - www.general dietary.com  

Orgran ‘No Egg’ 
Community Foods via health food shops - www.organ.com
 
PK Foods Egg Replacers 
PK Foods - 020 3963 444 - www.glutenfree-foods.co.uk
 
Try these alternatives for egg free baking:  

  • ¼ tsp xanthan gum and extra milk 
  • 1 tbsp of potato flour with 2 tbsp water 
  • ½ large banana mashed 
  • Aquafaba (chickpea liquid)
  • Chia seed egg (chia seeds and water)

Cheeses Made from Soya

Scheese Bute Island Foods         

01700 505357                               

www.buteisland.com                  

Cheezly Redwood Wholefood Co Ltd

01536 400557

www.redwoodfoods.co.uk  

Tofutti 020 88161 4443 
www.triano.f2s.com
 
Catalogue of Products 

www.goodnessdirect.co.uk  
www.dietaryneedsdirect.co.uk

Useful Addresses

H J Heinz Co Ltd 
Consumer Care Team 
Spring Road 
Kitt Green 
Wigan 
Lancs,WN5 0JL 
0800 528 5757 
www.heinz.co.uk
 
Allergy UK 
Planwell House 
LEFA Business Park 
Edgington Way 
Sidcup 
Kent, DA14 5BH 
01322 619898 
www.allergyuk.org
 
The Anaphylaxis Campaign 
PO Box 275 Farnborough 
Hampshire, GU14 6SX 
01252 546100 
info@anaphylaxis.org.uk
 
Rice Dream 
www.ricedream.co.uk  
registration@haincelestial.co.uk  
0845 602 1519
 
Alpro 
Altendiez Way 
Latimer Business Park Burton Latimer, NN15 5YT 
0800 111 4224 
www.alpro.com 
www.provamel.com/uk

Delamere Dairy Ltd 
Yew Tree Farm 
Nutsford 
Cheshire, WA16 9BH 
Tel: 01565 750528 
Fax: 01565 750468 
info@delameredairy.co.uk  
www.delameredairy.co.uk 

Other Useful Websites 

www.kinderton.com  
www.mofreechocolates.com
www.okfoods.org.uk  
www.safetoeatfood.com  
www.fairfoods.org.uk  
(01884 34974 or 07796 774200) 

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

 

Contact us

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

About this information

Service:
Dietetics

Reference:
DT/118

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.