What are 8 dairy products?
Do you suffer from lactose intolerance? Or are you concerned about the dairy industry's impact on the environment or animal rights? Either way, you may be ready to give up dairy. But first, you need to understand what milk is so you can change your diet and lifestyle. So what is considered milk?
Dairy products are a category of products made from animal milk, including cheese, cream, butter, curd, ice cream, yogurt, etc. Products using plant milk such as soy milk do not belong to this group.
Almost every cuisine offers delicious dairy-based dishes, from Alfredo pasta in Italy to Payasam in India. It is consumed by 6 billion people! So if avoiding dairy seems daunting, keep reading to learn more about this topic, so you can make smart choices.
Milk and Dairy Products: A Brief Overview
Milk has been a staple food for humans for millennia, serving as a rich source of nutrients such as calcium, vitamins, iodine, fats, proteins, etc. Did you know that farmers started drinking milk as early as Neolithic times?
Humans also learned how to process milk thousands of years ago. And we enjoy delicious and nutritious products like cheese and curd. Milk in liquid form and products made from it constitute dairy products.
What are dairy products?
Milk can be used to produce a variety of products classified as milk or dairy products. Some of the most popular dairy products are:
1. Yogurt and fermented milk products
These are products produced by fermenting milk with microorganisms and have a sour taste. Products under this category include yogurt, curd, buttermilk, kefir, koumiss, dahi, etc.
2. Cheese
The coagulation of milk proteins (casein) and their separation from the liquid or whey produce cheese. There are many varieties, such as parmigiano reggiano, paneer, chhurpi, etc.
3. Butter and ghee
These are full-fat dairy products that contain milk proteins. Stirring milk or cream will create these semi-solid emulsions. Ghee (clarified butter) is produced by removing the liquid from the butter.
4. Cream
Produced from a high-fat layer of milk obtained by skimming or centrifuging milk. There are different types of ice cream products such as crème fraîche, whipped cream, etc.
5. Condensed milk and evaporated milk
Both are made by removing some of the water from milk, which is then heat treated to a higher concentration. Condensed milk usually has sugar but condensed milk does not.
6. Powdered Milk
Powdered milk or powdered milk is obtained by completely dehydrating milk to form granules or powder. It is often added to drinks – or mixed with water to make reconstituted milk.
7. Whey Products
When curds are separated from milk, the remaining liquid is called whey. It is high in protein and is often used in liquid form – or as a protein supplement in powder form.
8. Casein
Casein is the main protein in milk and can be separated from liquid milk by rennet or bacteria. It is used in various dairy products, such as baked goods.
What foods contain milk?
Many foods contain the dairy products mentioned above. This is because milk and its derivatives are healthy and add a rich, creamy taste. It also adds moisture to foods and a different flavor. Here are some common foods that contain milk:
1. Bakery products
Traditional baking relies heavily on dairy products such as butter, cream, and milk. For example: cakes, cookies, pastries, fudge, cheesecake, etc.
2. Sauces and Dressings
Every kitchen has sauces, spices, curries, and gravies spices certified from dairy products. For example, white sauce pasta, macaroni and cheese, ranch sauce,, etc.
3. Marinades
Many dishes use yogurt, buttermilk and other dairy products in sauces to add sweetness.
For example: skewers, fried chicken, breaded fish, etc.
4. Processed Foods
Many processed foods contain dairy, including some unexpected varieties. For example cold cuts, margarine, chewing gum with Recaldent, etc.
5. Snacks and Breakfast Foods
Many snacks and breakfast foods contain milk-based flavors and textures. For example, instant mac and cheese, scrambled eggs, sandwiches, cheese fries, etc.
6. Desserts
Frozen desserts are the most popular dairy products. It is also present in other desserts. For example ice cream, flan, kulfi, etc.
7. Candy and Sweets Milk
Is added to many types of candy and sweets without you even realizing it. For example: milk chocolate, caramel candy, protein bars, etc.
8. Drinks Diary
Is a popular ice cream in many drinks. It is also the basis of many alcoholic and pure beverages. For example., chai tea, lattes, eggnog, milkshakes, Baileys Irish cream, and more.
Be careful with foods containing milk!
When shopping or eating at a restaurant, you should check the ingredient list on the product label or ask the chef if the food contains the following substances:
- Caseinates
- Hydrolysates
- Lactalbumin
- Lactalbumin Phosphate
- Lactoglobulin
- Lactoferrin
- Lactose
- Lactulose
- Milk derivatives/solids
- Nisin
- Nougat
- Recaldent
These terms indicate that the food contains dairy products.
Are you lactose intolerant? Do you have trouble determining what's dairy-free and what's not when shopping at your local store?
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