Five Surprising Foods Containing Dairy
When you hear the word “dairy,” what immediately comes to mind? If we had to guess, we’d say you probably pictured a block of cheese, jug of milk, bowl of ice cream or cup of yogurt. (Suddenly we’re drooling.) Those delicious, nutritious foods are dairy staples. But did you know some of your other favorite things need dairy too? Discover five unexpected, everyday items containing dairy.
1. Flavored Potato Chips
Thanks to whey, many popular chip flavors (cheddar, ranch, sour cream and onion, etc.) are created using dairy products. Whey is a by-product of cheesemaking, and it’s used to add aroma and taste to chips. Even bags like barbecue or spicy crisps might contain whey, because the ingredient is used to bind everything together and give a desired texture.
2. Gum
A stick of gum is the last place you’d expect to find dairy, but it serves an important purpose. An ingredient called Recaldent, also known as casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (try saying that three times fast), is derived from cow’s milk and added to some gum brands. Its job is to supply calcium and phosphate in hopes of repairing enamel damage. According to one study, gums containing Recaldent resulted in “significantly higher enamel remineralization” than those without it.
3. Hot Dogs
To improve texture and juiciness, some hot dogs include nonfat dry milk, dried whole milk or milk-derived proteins. Those ingredients act as binders and retain moisture to help hot dogs hold their shape. The USDA allows up to 3.5% of non-meat binders and extenders in hot dogs.
4. Salad Dressings
Many creamy dressings like ranch, blue cheese and Caesar rely on buttermilk, sour cream or other milk products to impart a rich, tangy flavor. Those dairy ingredients thicken dressings and help provide a satisfying texture. Whey protein is also used in dressings to improve mouthfeel, so dairy is a superstar when it comes to your salad.
5. Vitamins and Supplements
Certain supplements use dairy products like sodium caseinate as a binder or filler. Sodium caseinate starts as a milk protein, which is then chemically modified to make it water-soluble and useful in supplements. It can help hold supplements together, and it improves texture and stabilizes other components. Sodium caseinate is especially popular in protein powders and meal replacements because it’s a great source of protein.
We hope your appreciation for dairy farmers is at an all-time high. And the next time you reach for a crunchy snack, prepare a salad or pop a vitamin, take a peek at the label to see if you can spot a splash of dairy.
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