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Lapland with allergies?

Wirral, United...
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166 posts
42 reviews
173 helpful votes
Lapland with allergies?
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We are thinking about going to Lapland for 3-4 days in December or January, however my daughter cannot eat dairy. I'm just wondering if we are likely to be able to find suitable foods for her in Lapland? We will most likely opt for self catering as this tends to be the easiest option in many situations, but I'm wondering whether I'm likely to find supermarkets stocked with dairy free spread and oat milk, for example.

Arsy, France
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3,328 posts
88 reviews
212 helpful votes
1. Re: Lapland with allergies?
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you will be fine, lots of people in lapland also have allergies

I would suggest finding out the finish for 'dairy free'

one of the finish posters should be along soon and they will be able to help you with the produce/wording

Helsinki, Finland
Destination Expert
for Tallinn, Finland, Helsinki
Level Contributor
12,024 posts
84 reviews
79 helpful votes
2. Re: Lapland with allergies?
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Lactose intolerance is very common in Finland. Many restaurant menus are marked so you can pick a dairy-free option. Ask the waitstaff, they're used to dealing with this. Reasonably large supermarkets stock milk substitutes near the dairy section.

Wirral, United...
Level Contributor
166 posts
42 reviews
173 helpful votes
3. Re: Lapland with allergies?
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Excellent, that's great to hear - thank you :)

Helsinki, Finland
Destination Expert
for Tallinn, Finland, Helsinki
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12,024 posts
84 reviews
79 helpful votes
4. Re: Lapland with allergies?
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You are welcome.

Helsinki, Finland
Destination Expert
for Helsinki
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4,466 posts
8 reviews
3 helpful votes
5. Re: Lapland with allergies?
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Very many FInns are lactose intolerant and there are options for this everywhere. But if I understand you correctly your daughter can't eat any milk products ie is allergic to the protein. This is more rare and leads sometiimes confusing situations since many waiters do not recognise the difference.

The condition in Finnish is called maitoallergia or maitoproteiiniallergia.

You may get suggested low lactose (vähälaktoosinen or laktoositon) products are branded as Hyla or Into. At restautants a common abbreviation for this is L. But these are still dairy prooducts containing the proteins.

Goat milk is not very commonly found but all shops have soy milk or oat products (Oatly).

Wirral, United...
Level Contributor
166 posts
42 reviews
173 helpful votes
6. Re: Lapland with allergies?
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Thank you so much for explaining that MrsHelsinki, you are correct that my daughter is dairy rather than lactose intolerant, and cannot have milk protein. Having the correct words is really useful. Oatly is the milk that she drinks, as she is also soy intolerant in any substantial quantity, so this is really great to know. Thanks for your help :)

Finland
Destination Expert
for Helsinki, Finland
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7,136 posts
93 reviews
83 helpful votes
7. Re: Lapland with allergies?
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Lactose intolerance is common and milk protein allergy is not that uncommon either in Finland.

You should not have any problems in avoiding milk protein. Oatly and other non-dairy substitutes are commonly available in supermarkets. Restaurants can provide meals free of milk easily, if you opt for a half/full board inform the hotel in advance, they usually are quite happy to provide suitable meals.

A bit tricky might be if you plan on using ready-prepared foods. They often contain surprisingly eg milk powder. All this is written on the package, but in Finnish and Swedish. Look for words maito/mjölk or voi/smör.

ireland
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291 posts
21 reviews
53 helpful votes
8. Re: Lapland with allergies?
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We have been to Ruka twice and our son is a Coeliac and while I understand there is a significant difference between the two conditions, we found eating out no problem as we had a finnish translation card that we would just show to the waitress and it would be fine. However, I would strongly suggest that you check out what supermarkets are close to your accommodation and see if you can go online and check do they stock the products that you need, if in doubt, bring your own.

Wirral, United...
Level Contributor
166 posts
42 reviews
173 helpful votes
9. Re: Lapland with allergies?
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Thanks Polarbearfin and SpookIreland, really good info and a reassuring too. Our daughter has been wheat free too until very recently so I kind of know where you're coming from SpookIreland, I think the translation cards are a good way to go too.

Helsinki, Finland
Destination Expert
for Helsinki
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4,466 posts
8 reviews
3 helpful votes
10. Re: Lapland with allergies?
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The Coeliac disease is called keliakia in Finnish.

A translation card is an excellent idea indeed. Just write your text here and I can translate it for you.

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