Are Eggs Dairy? (2024)

Eggs are known for their versatility in the kitchen. Whether you're making a quick scramble or adding them to a cake batter, eggs are a staple for many people. The next time you need to pick up a dozen, you're likely to find eggs in the dairy aisle of the supermarket—but, wait, does that mean eggs are considered dairy?

To help answer this question, we'll break down what a dairy product is, if eggs are dairy and more, so you can shop with confidence.

What Is Considered a Dairy Product?

Dairy comes from the mammary gland of an animal. Dairy products are classified as the milk itself or any product made from that milk. Examples of dairy products include butter, ice cream, cheese and yogurt. Milks and milk products from mammals like cows, goats and sheep are all considered dairy products.

So, Are Eggs Dairy?

No, eggs are not considered dairy products. Eggs are laid by birds, which are not mammals and do not have mammary glands. Domesticated birds that are used for food are considered poultry, according to the USDA. Whether it's a chicken egg, duck egg or quail egg, eggs are not dairy.

So, if birds are considered poultry and eggs are laid by birds, eggs are considered a poultry product, not a dairy product.

So, why all the confusion about eggs? First, eggs are often found in the dairy aisle at the supermarket, so it makes sense that you may incorrectly group them together. Another reason you may have thought eggs were dairy is that images of dairy products often mistakenly include eggs (for example, a quick Google search surfaces at least five images on the first results page with this error). Plus, eggs and dairy products are technically both animal products, so it can be confusing if you're unaware of the technical differences.

Can I Eat Eggs on a Dairy-Free Diet?

Yes, you can eat eggs on a dairy-free diet! Eggs are not dairy products, so you can include them in your meals. Eggs are great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Try them in recipes like Spinach & Egg Scramble with Raspberries and Egg Salad Avocado Toast.

Are Eggs Dairy? (1)

Can I Eat Eggs with a Lactose Intolerance?

Yes, you can eat eggs with a lactose intolerance. People with lactose intolerance don't produce enough lactase in their small intestine. As a result, they have trouble digesting the lactose (aka milk sugar) found in milk, which leads to symptoms like nausea and stomach cramps. Since eggs are not dairy products, they do not contain lactose and are safe to eat with a lactose intolerance.

The Bottom Line

Eggs are often mistakenly categorized as dairy, but eggs are not dairy products. Eggs are laid by birds, which do not have mammary glands. Dairy products are items like yogurt, cheese and milk. You can eat eggs if you follow a dairy-free diet or if you have lactose intolerance.

Are Eggs Dairy? (2024)

FAQs

Are Eggs Dairy? ›

Eggs are often mistakenly categorized as dairy, but eggs are not dairy products. Eggs are laid by birds, which do not have mammary glands. Dairy products are items like yogurt, cheese and milk. You can eat eggs if you follow a dairy-free diet or if you have lactose intolerance.

Are eggs considered dairy? ›

Eggs are classified as poultry products, not dairy products. Poultry products include chicken, duck, and turkey eggs, while dairy products are made from the milk of mammals. Eggs are considered to be a separate food group, distinct from dairy products.

What is an egg classified as? ›

Eggs are neither a dairy nor a poultry product.

Eggs are simply classified as animal products. While eggs do come from chicken, and chicken is poultry, the egg itself is not poultry. The same goes for dairy, even though eggs are commonly found in the dairy aisle.

What food group are eggs in? ›

What foods are in the Protein Foods Group? Protein Foods include all foods made from seafood; meat, poultry, and eggs; beans, peas, and lentils; and nuts, seeds, and soy products. Beans, peas, and lentils are also part of the Vegetable Group.

Can I eat eggs on a dairy-free diet? ›

Did you know…? Eggs are still a part of a dairy-free diet. Even though they are found in the dairy section of the grocery store, eggs do not contain milk sugar and milk proteins. Eggs are safe to eat in a milk-free diet.

Is peanut butter dairy? ›

Despite the name, peanut butter does not contain any dairy butter. Also, peanuts, being nondairy products, don't contain any lactose themselves. Most natural peanut butter is safe to eat if you're lactose-intolerant.

Is mayonnaise dairy? ›

Mayonnaise doesn't have any milk products in it, so that means it doesn't have dairy. Eggs aren't considered a dairy product, even though they are an animal product. That means if you have a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance, it's safe to eat eggs, as well as mayonnaise, because they don't contain any lactose.

Why do some people think eggs are dairy? ›

People may think eggs are dairy because retailers often sell the two products close together, and people may group them together because they are both animal products and sources of protein. Additionally, a vegan diet excludes both eggs and dairy, which may cause people to think they are the same type of product.

What are eggs labeled as? ›

When buying eggs, animal welfare is an important consideration for most consumers. The welfare and living conditions of laying hens can vary substantially and the labels on the cartons — “cage-free,” “free-range” or “pasture-raised” — will let us know the kind of farm the eggs are from.

Can vegans eat eggs? ›

People who follow a vegan diet don't eat any animal foods, including dairy, eggs, and honey. About 3% of Americans follow a vegan diet. Their reasons for eating this way vary. Some vegans do it to improve their health, as research shows that a plant-based diet could lower the risk of certain diseases.

What is the healthiest meat to eat? ›

While meat can be a part of a healthy diet, not all sources are created equal. The leanest and healthiest meats to eat include poultry, pork, fish, and seafood. Eating a balanced diet is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle, which means choosing various foods from different food groups, like proteins.

What counts as part of dairy? ›

The Dairy Group includes milk, yogurt, cheese, lactose-free milk and fortified soy milk and yogurt. It does not include foods made from milk that have little calcium and a high fat content, such as cream cheese, sour cream, cream, and butter. Visit the Dairy Group page for examples of specific foods in the Dairy Group.

What foods should you eat every day? ›

Food groups in your diet
  • eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day (see 5 A Day)
  • base meals on higher fibre starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta.
  • have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks)
  • eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other protein.

Are eggs legally dairy? ›

Eggs are often mistakenly categorized as dairy, but eggs are not dairy products. Eggs are laid by birds, which do not have mammary glands. Dairy products are items like yogurt, cheese and milk. You can eat eggs if you follow a dairy-free diet or if you have lactose intolerance.

How to flush dairy out of your system quickly? ›

A: To flush dairy out of your system quickly, eliminate all dairy products from your diet and load up on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and seeds. These are high in fiber and acids that help break down and push out all milk proteins from your system. Also, set aside some time to work out.

What should I avoid if I am dairy-free? ›

A dairy-free diet includes avoiding all or most dairy products including milk, butter, yoghurt, cheese, cream and ice cream. Unlike a vegan or plant-based diet, a dairy-free still includes other animal products, such as meat, fish and eggs.

Why are eggs kept in the dairy section? ›

There are a number of reasons for this, dating all the way back to the early days of the corner grocer. Both are animal proteins, so they make a logical pair in that respect. Both are required to be refrigerated in the United States, so there's a practical reason to co-locate them in the cooler.

What classifies as dairy? ›

The Dairy Group includes milk, yogurt, cheese, lactose-free milk and fortified soy milk and yogurt. It does not include foods made from milk that have little calcium and a high fat content, such as cream cheese, sour cream, cream, and butter. Visit the Dairy Group page for examples of specific foods in the Dairy Group.

Do vegans consider eggs dairy? ›

A vegan diet includes only plant foods—fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, nuts, and seeds. People who follow a vegan diet don't eat any animal foods, including dairy, eggs, and honey. About 3% of Americans follow a vegan diet.

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