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Milk- and Soy-Free Diet for the Breastfeeding Mother

If you were told that your baby has milk sensitivity, milk intolerance or milk soy protein intolerance (MSPI), you will need to make some changes to your diet to continue breastfeeding. Milk and soy proteins must be eliminated from your diet. Be aware that it may take up to two weeks for the proteins already in your system to be eliminated.

Because milk and soy are considered top food allergens, if a product contains either milk or soy, it will be clearly labeled on the ingredient list. Before you buy any food product, always read the entire food label to make sure it does not contain an ingredient that you wish to avoid.

Highly refined soy oil and soy lecithin are considered safe, as the processing has separated and eliminated the protein component. The food label will state "contains soy," even if the soy present is soy oil or soy lecithin. Be sure to check the ingredient list closely to determine the source of the soy.

Food label terms that indicate milk is present:

  • Milk, milk solids or proteins (including hydrolyzed proteins)
  • Cheese
  • Yogurt
  • Cream
  • Nonfat dry milk
  • Casein/caseinate
  • Whey, whey protein, whey powder
  • Milk chocolate
  • Butter, butter solids, butter fat, buttermilk
  • Lactalbumin

Food label terms that indicate soy is present:

  • Soy, soy protein, soy protein isolate
  • Soy milk
  • Soy yogurt
  • Soy flour
  • Vegetable protein, broth, gum or starch
  • Soybeans
  • Soy caseinate
  • Soy sauce
  • Tofu, textured vegetable protein, tempeh
  • Miso, hoisin, tamari
Food Group Recommended Foods
Milk and Milk Products

Alternatives made with almond, rice*, coconut or pea protein

("milks," yogurt, frozen desserts)

Meat and Other Protein Foods

All fresh or frozen meats (beef, veal, pork, lamb) or poultry

Fresh, frozen or canned fish or shellfish

Eggs

Dried beans and peas (not soybeans) Nuts and seeds

Processed meats and luncheon meats without milk or soy ingredients

GrainsBreads, other baked goods (brownies, cakes, cookies, muffins, etc.), cereals, crackers, noodles/pasta, pancakes, pretzels, rice*, rolls, tortillas, waffles and other grain foods made without milk or soy ingredients.
Vegetables

All fresh, frozen or canned vegetables prepared without milk or soy ingredients

100% vegetable juices, corn*

FruitsAll fresh, frozen or canned fruits - prepared without milk or soy ingredients - 100% fruit juice
Fats and Oils

Margarine made without milk or soy ingredients Vegetable oil (including highly refined soy oil, which is processed and considered safe)

Vegetable oil spray made without milk or soy ingredients Gravies and sauces made without milk or soy ingredients Salad dressings and mayonnaise made without milk or soy ingredients

Other
  • Salt and pepper
  • Herbs and spices
  • Mustard, ketchup and relish
  • Soups and casseroles made without milk or soy ingredients
  • Flavoring extracts
  • Gelatin
  • Honey
  • Jam, jelly, marmalade and preserves
  • Sugar
  • Maple syrup

 

 

Breastfeeding