Dairy Free Living

Pizza is a staple of American culture but it can get a bit complicated for those of us with an allergy to dairy.  You have no idea the strange looks I get when I order a pizza and then say I would like it with no cheese but it is really not that easy.  I am able to tolerate a small amount of dairy, I may get a cough or rash and not even realize it came about because I ingested dairy at some point.  This can be very scary for those with a severe dairy allergy.  For some, even the smallest amount of dairy can cause a severe allergic reaction. 

This makes ordering pizza at a restaurant difficult and at times, dangerous.  Some restaurants use dairy in both their crusts and their sauces.  You can look online for the ingredients for pizza chains.  If their website does not have the information you can email them and ask for a list of their ingredients.  If they refuse to give it to you for some reason then do not eat their pizza.  A local pizza parlor can often be easier because you can ask directly what ingredients are used.  If someone sounds unsure then, again, do not eat the pizza.

Of course, the best way to make sure you are eating a dairy free pizza is to just make it from scratch at home!