Despite decades of dairy industry propaganda, not only is cow’s milk not necessary for health, it can actually lead to a long list of health problems—from lactose intolerance to asthma to fatal anaphylaxis. The details are all on the CONDITIONS + SYMPTOMS tab of this website.
Registered Dietitian Brenda Davis answers the question, “Do my kids need dairy?”
Here is the biggest takeaway for you: children do not need dairy to be perfectly healthy!
Take a look at the resources below. Use the form at the bottom of the page to request additional support from Switch4Good. And as always, if you have questions about your child’s health and nutrition needs, please seek advice from your family’s healthcare professionals.
Resources for your family
When at least one family member has problems consuming dairy, it’s often easiest for the entire family to transition to a dairy-free lifestyle. But don’t worry, we are here to make sure your family is healthy and well-nourished.
Nutrition
Save these handy graphics to your phone for easy reference.
Cow’s milk nutrients are not unique to dairy. They can easily be found in other food sources.
Food
Most parents know it isn’t easy convincing a kid to try something new, and it’s even more challenging to take a favorite food away. To lessen resistance, we’ve created a list of kid-approved dairy-free foods to make the transition a fun journey instead of an uphill battle.
The chart below outlines easy swaps you can make for everyday dairy ingredients.
Dairy-Free Swaps Guide
If you’re ready to dig a little deeper, our Dairy-Free Swaps Guide makes preparing meals that the whole family will love easy- without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re looking for dairy-free mac and cheese, burrito bowls, or chocolate chip cookies, we’ve got you covered.
Download your free copy below:
DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE
More Food Resources
Smoothies can be an easy way to pack a nutrient punch. Your child would never guess these are loaded with veggies.
Calcium is found in so many plant foods. If you have a picky eater who might be hesitant to try these foods, a smoothie is a great solution.
Need something quick to reference? Save this to your phone for your next grocery trip to make shopping easier.
Our sister website, Switch4Good.org, has loads of dairy-free recipes. This Glass Noodle Bowl below is always a huge hit. Save it to your phone to use in the kitchen.
Expert Advice
We’ve had hundreds of health and nutrition experts on the Switch4Good podcast. These clips and episodes are especially helpful for families:
In this clip, Dr. Vivian Chen educates expecting and new moms about proactive measures they can take to ensure they can nourish their child with their own breastmilk. She also explains the difference between lactose intolerance and a dairy allergy, and how some ethnicities are more likely to experience these symptoms compared to others.
Matt Frazier, dad of two, is raising his kids dairy-free and plant-based. Watch for his quick tips on food culture are home, navigating social events, and avoiding food rebellion.
Dr. Reshma Shah is a pediatrician, author, and mom, who discusses many topics relating to raising dairy-free and plant-based kids. She promotes parents modeling healthy behavior and habits at the table for their children to learn while prioritizing meals together.
Dr. Yami Cazorla-Lancaster offers advice on how to build healthy relationships with food—for adults and children alike. She also provides suggestions for instilling healthy habits in your children early in life to foster a healthy relationship with food.
Spread the Word
We’re here to help educate you, your friends and family, and your healthcare providers. We are excited to provide you with materials about lactose intolerance and cow’s milk protein allergy. Share them with your physicians and get the conversation started. If you think you, or someone in your life, suffers from one of these conditions, it’s time to address it and finally get relief. No one should feel sick from consuming dairy – especially when relief is so simple.
