Does your doctor want you to stay away from lactose or the milk protein? I am lactose intolerant but my son is allergic to casein, the milk protein. Thus we have very different restrictions. If you're just staying away from lactose, you're allowed to have Lactaid milk and can have hard cheeses (such as swiss, aged cheddar) where the lactose has been aged off.
If your doctor wants you completely off dairy, your diet must resemble my son's. We have found non-dairy substitutes for everything but cheese. All the truly non-dairy cheese (some "non-dairy" cheese still contains casein) tastes HORRIBLE. Here's my tips:
- For milk try Silk soy milk or Rice Dream rice milk. They taste the best. Soy milk is thicker than regular milk and rice milk is thinner.
- Most margarine still has milk. Try Earth Balance spread. Non-dairy, tastes like butter, and cooks pretty well.
- Tofutti brand products are great. They have some awesome ice cream substitutes, and substitutes for cream cheese and sour cream.
- Read ingredients for everything and learn the terminology for milk ingredients. You'll be shocked by how many things may have milk them - soup, french fries, chicken nuggets, bread crumbs.
- You'll be even more shocked by how hard it is to eat at a restaurant if you're off dairy. Very few restaurants publish ingredient lists, though virtually all fast food places do. Best recommendation is to speak to manager. Or just eat at home.
Good luck!