Oatmeal has long been a favorite breakfast food for many people around the world. It is easy to prepare, filling, and versatile, making it a popular choice for those who are looking for a quick and healthy breakfast option.
However, for people who are lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy, its certainly important to know whether oatmeal has dairy. In this article we will inform you if oatmeal has dairy and if so, what type of oatmeal to look out for. Let’s get into it!
Is There Dairy in Oatmeal?
Dairy is a term that refers to milk and products derived from milk, including cheese, butter, cream, and yogurt. The milk comes from mammals such as cows, goats, and sheep. Therefore, any food that contains milk or milk products is considered dairy.
Now, let’s talk about oatmeal. Oatmeal is a type of porridge made from oats, which are a type of cereal grain. Specifically, the oats come from the Poaceae grass family so oatmeal is planted-based.
Therefore, if you just eat plain oatmeal prepared with water or another non-dairy liquid then you won’t be consuming any dairy. By plain oatmeal, we mean a product such as Quaker Oats Old-Fashioned Oats, which is simply made with just whole grain rolled oats.
However, some types of oatmeal may contain dairy products, such as milk or cream, depending on how they are prepared. For example, instant oatmeal packets that come in flavors like strawberries & cream or peaches & cream may contain dairy in the form of dry milk and cream. Similarly, some pre-packaged oatmeal cups may also contain dairy.
Does Oatmeal Have Lactose?
Lactose is a sugar found in milk and other dairy. When the body does not produce enough lactase in the small intestines to break down lactose, people can experience symptoms of lactose intolerance such as bloating, cramps, nausea, gas, and diarrhea.
An oatmeal will contain lactose if dairy ingredients are used in the oatmeal. As previously discussed, dairy can be in it as an ingredient or indirectly through the use of milk or other dairy to prepare it. The amount of lactose in it will vary by product and the amount of dairy used to prepared it, if any.
Final Thoughts
If you’re someone who prioritizes a dairy-free lifestyle, it’s essential to avoid any confusion or health issues by carefully checking the ingredient label of oatmeal products before purchasing them. Be particularly cautious of instant oatmeal packets or cups for dairy ingredients.
Another important thing to keep in mind is the liquid used to prepare the oatmeal. For instance, you might assume that the plain oatmeal you ordered at a restaurant is dairy-free, but it could be made with milk instead of water. The good news is that whether you choose to consume dairy or not, there are plenty of oatmeal options available to suit your preferences.
