Published on 12, July, 2020
Does anyone here now any cheap, sensory friendly dairy alternatives for anyone with autism. My friend just like me has autism and (unlike me) is lactose intolerant, she only has a small income. She's stuggling both mentally and physically from this lack of finances for dairy free products. She desperately needs more alternatives. Any know what she can do ?
(When the "Free From" business first began, there was a lot of good food and brands. But they are so inconsistent and many no longer exist. Else I would recommend something. It is a matter of buying and trying and hoping that it stays there.)
(OooErr... It is Me! I just wanted to say to anyone that there is NO connection to 'Lactose-Intolerance' and 'Autism' --- Unless one also wants to count the entire indigenous populations of Africa and Asia (Chinese, Japanese, rather than East Indian) as "Autistic" (Lactose Intolerant)...? Plus plenty of NT persons are Lac-Intolerant, also.
...I say this too often... there should be a Thread or a NAS page saying "This has nothing to do with being Autistic!")
...On Topic... And not helpful, maybe...? I just say, "NUTS"/"Hard-Cheese" to everyone: If One is intolerant of something, then for goodness' sakes, just read the ingredients and buy something which lacks that. I am not entirely unsympathetic, mark my words, for I myself must also try in the main to avoid Dairy as well. And also Gluten. I just put up with everyone else enjoying it; yet whenever tempted, I simply remind myself of the PAIN it causes me if ingested too much, and that usually snaps me out of any cravings.
...As I said, this might not be helpful, sorry. It is cold, hard, reality which must be acknowledged and dealt with rather than disguised as something else. (I do rather enjoy Soya and Nuts, though.) (Try not to vote me down too much, anyone...) ...Sorry again.
The new coconut based ones are much better than the old soya based cheeses. They actually melt and are more similar to real cheese. But they aren't very healthy. It's best just to avoid dairy and dairy free alternatives.
There used to be a brand called 'Scheese' which I really liked. I don't think it's made any more. I was never very fussed about cheese, anyway. Vegan cheeses generally won't be like dairy cheeses. I think if you expect them to be, you'll be in for a disappointment!
I found dairy-free cheese to be terrible - it's like salted glazing putty. The Arla Lactofree milk is ok.
Not sure of the connection between autism and lactose-intolerance. However, I use Aldi Soya Drink (apple juice sweetened) in place of dairy milk. 59p a litre is about as cheap as you'll get, and it tastes pretty good to me.
You can buy dairy-free cheeses in health food shops, but they're not cheap. Also, there are plenty of dairy-free sweet things around: puddings, chocolate, ice cream (Swedish Glace is dairy-free and delicious), snack bars, etc. Vitalite margarine is dairy-free and is £1.20 a tub in Morrison's.
Dairy free is a bit complicated as lactose is used in all sorts of things that you wouldn't expect - like ham.
I don't understand what autism has to do with the problem compared to anyone else - it's just a case of looking at what you like to eat and then looking at the manufacturer's website for the allergy information if it isn't obvious from the packet.
Also - what does lactose intolerant mean to your friend? Bloating? Cramps? Vomiting? How bad is it?
Dairy free alternatives for people with autism should be the same as just regular dairy free food. Are you looking for anything specific? Any there is a whole bunch of food without milk, like fresh fruit and vegetables, bread could be milk free but depends on what kind of bread, rice, pasta, baked beans...