Milk can be an obvious ingredient in food products or it can be listed as something unfamiliar. Even though a product may say "nondairy" that does not mean it doesn't have milk-containing ingredients, according to the University of Virginia Medical Center. Understanding which foods contain milk products can help you take better control of your health and meal plan.
Breakfast Foods
Some breakfast foods known to contain milk products include waffles, French toast, fritters, pancakes, muffins, scrambled eggs, boxed cereals, pastries, omelettes and souffles. The sauce on Eggs Benedict is high in milk-based ingredients. According to the USDA, fat-free, low fat, reduced-fat and whole-milk yogurt are all milk-based foods.
Spreads and Sauces
Spreads such as sour cream, margarine and butter can contain milk products. Milk is in any form of cheese and curds, which can include, according to the USDA, hard cheeses such as cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss and Parmesan; soft cheeses such as ricotta and cottage cheese; and processed cheeses such as American. Milk is the main ingredient in spreadable yogurt and yogurt cheese products, and is in gravies and cream sauces such as Hollandaise.
Desserts
Foods containing milk products include ice cream, ice milk, fudge, hot fudge sauce, chocolate, Bavarian cream, custard, cakes, cream pies, puddings, pie crusts, tapioca and sherbet, according to the USDA and University of Virginia Medical Center.
Other
Other foods containing milk products include macaroni and cheese, commercial biscuit mixes and/or baked goods such as muffins, cakes and cookies. Most commercially baked breads contain milk, according to the University of Virginia Medical Center and Fauquier Ear, Nose and Throat Consultants. Milk products are also is in cocoa drink mixes and malted milk bases.
Scalloped and au gratin potatoes and other similar dishes have milk products as a main ingredient in the sauce. Bisques contain large amounts of milk and cream. Chowders have high concentrations of milk products, usually in the form of heavy or low-fat cream.
Processed meats such as sausages, hot dogs and luncheon meats commonly contain milk. According to the University of Virginia Medical Center, these foods can also be processed on milk-containing production lines.
Breaded foods (unless not dipped in milk) contain milk. Croquettes, casseroles, hamburgers and meatloaf also fall into this category.
Forms
It is important to realize that foods containing milk products may not just be called "milk" in the ingredients. Milk is also listed as lactose, condensed milk, evaporated milk, milk solids, dry milk, whole milk, low-fat milk, nonfat milk, skim milk, milk derivative and milk protein. Nougat and/or rennet casein also means milk. Artificial butter, artificial butter flavor, ghee, whey, milk solids, whey powder, casein and caseinate are all forms of milk. According to Fauquier Ear, Nose and Throat Consultants, milk may also be in caramel flavoring and natural flavorings.
Read Labels
Read product labels. It is important to read the food labels to determine which foods contain milk products or any of its derivatives. Know what you are eating. You will have more control of your food intake and can avoid any potential food allergies this way.
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