It mans you can't digest the milk sugar (lactose) because you have a deficiency in lactase, the enzyme responsible for digesting the milk sugar lactose. In some cases it's the milk proteins themselves or you might have malabsorption or trouble digesting the fats in milk.

You can be born with it or develop it later in life either through age or other health issues.

Milk allergy is different from lactose intolerance.

Many people are lactose intolerant and it can be mild for some and rough for others.

Symptoms may include:

Stomach and abdomen pain and cramps.
Burping, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, fatty stool, indigestion, and gas and bloating.



Even if you're not allergic to milk or have lactose intolerance, you might not want to drink cow's milk for personal, ethical, or other health reasons.

Whatever the reason, you can't have cow's milk.

That's totally okay, you can still go to the store and buy milk.

You still want to go to the store to buy milk, but you can't drink cow's milk?

That's totally fine and we've got options. (Depending where you live.)

First and foremost, if you're lactose intolerant and you still really want cow's milk, try Lactose free milk.

This might alleviate some of your symptoms, but it's not the most ideal in all cases.


Non-cow milk options:

Don't worry, there other many other types of milks you can use in place of regular cow's milk and in the same ways!

Drink it straight, use it in cereal, or even in recipes!

Try these plant and nut milks instead!

Please note, these types of milk shouldn't be used as baby formula. Please consult with a doctor or nutritionist to determine what's right for your younger children.

Soy Milk - The most common milk replacement. Usually has a good creamy and thick texture like full fat cow's milk and comes in different flavors like chocolate. Can find sugar free/unsweetened variants so you can use them in savory recipes like a cream sauce for instance. The only downside (besides a soy allergy), would be some brands might have a bit of a chalky taste. Experiment with brands and thicknesses to find what you're looking for.

Oat Milk - Increasingly more common in places like coffee shops. Good alternative.

Hemp Milk - It won't get you high, but it has a nice nutty flavor. Might have a lot of sediment at the bottom of the carton, so shake it up.

Rice Milk- Yep, it's a thing. You might find this type of milk too watery or thin, so might not work for all uses.

Almond Milk - Another increasingly common dairy milk alternative. Tastes pretty good and usually has a good consistency, but might be too bland or slightly bitter for some.

Coconut Milk - Not to be confused with coconut cream, coconut milk is another common option. The only downside might be a slightly fatty consistency which might linger in the mouth and won't be good for people who don't like the coconut taste.

Cashew Milk - Another alternative similar to Almond milk. Might be a bit on the bland, salty, or bitter side depending on the brand.

Other nut and quinoa milk - There are plenty of nut, grain, and seed milks out there, but they will all vary in consistency and flavor.

Find an option that suits your needs the most!

Don't give up hope!

You can still go to the store and buy your milk.

Try different types of milks, brands, and flavors/styles.

Look for sugar content and see if it will work with your recipe.

Look for milks fortified with vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin B12.

Read labels of your favorite foods, see which ones contain dairy milk. You might be surprised!

You get calcium from other sources besides milk.


Have a Happy Milk Day and don't take forever going to the store.

Milk is perishable.