For Delilah, meals are about family, friends and savoring her favorite foods. Just because she’s lactose intolerant doesn’t mean she has to give up the dairy foods she loves. And neither should you. Learn more about Delilah and enjoy her favorite dairy recipes made with delicious, farm-fresh LACTAID® Milk.
“I woke up to eat!” she says, lovingly recalling the aromas, which would wake her up and send her rushing downstairs to dig into her grandma’s homemade biscuits.
Delilah Winder, well-known chef, author and entrepreneur, has had a passion for food and entertaining since her childhood in Virginia. She shares what she's learned in her first cookbook, Delilah's Everyday Soul.
From Business Analysis To Southern Cuisine
Delilah Winder left a career as a business analyst to open her one-woman food stand in Philadelphia’s historic Reading Terminal Market, eventually employing more than 60 people at six stands. From 2000-2006, she ran Bluezette, a Latin, Caribbean, and soul food restaurant in Philadelphia’s Old City district.
Her food has won many accolades, including being named “best mac & cheese” on a recent episode of Oprah; 100 Favorite Foods by Saveur Magazine; and Best of Philly. You also may have seen Delilah’s cooking on Food Network’s The Best of Southern Cuisine, CBS's Chef On A Shoestring, and more.
Family, Food & Lactose Intolerance
“As a mature African-American woman, I have only one health concern,” explains Delilah. “I am lactose intolerant. LACTAID® Products have been my saving grace from the embarrassment of uncontrollable gas and bloating when I consume milk, ice cream, smoothies and foods prepared with milk.”
Growing up in the South, Delilah learned the benefits of eating whole fresh foods, something she continues to practice. “I’m grateful for LACTAID® Brand’s variety of products – whether I’m drinking a glass of LACTAID® Fat Free Milk or preparing a favorite dish for family and friends using LACTAID® Milk. When I substitute LACTAID® Milk in recipes, nothing is lost -- not texture, taste or consistency. “
“There’s a juice café I love that makes a smoothie called White Lightning, with low fat milk, blueberries, strawberries, flaxseed and raw peanut butter. It’s delicious! And every time I’d drink it, I’d think, ‘today will be different,’ but each time I’d be wrong.
It dawned on me that I would be much happier if the drink were prepared with LACTAID® Milk. I took a half gallon of LACTAID® Milk to the café owner, so he could use it in place of regular milk in my drink. This sparked his question as to the taste. I told him it tastes the same, but now anyone can enjoy the White Lightning smoothie drink, even if they’re lactose intolerant. So from that day forward, I say thank you, LACTAID® Products. I’m a happy, happy camper!”
You didn’t discover you were lactose intolerant until you were an adult, what tipped you off?
Delilah: I didn’t drink a lot of milk growing up. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I started drinking milk and eating dairy products. Only then did I realize that after drinking or eating dairy I would experience bloating, growling or churning in my stomach.
Has being lactose intolerant stopped you from enjoying food?
Before I discoveredLACTAID® Milk, if I wanted to eat foods like cereal with milk, creamy soups or dairy desserts, I had to think about whether it was worth feeling bad afterwards. But now I can cook all my favorites with LACTAID® Milk, so I don’t have to worry about feeling bad anymore.
How does being lactose intolerant affect the way you cook for others or entertain?
I love to entertain! Everything from dinner parties, to football games to cocktail parties with my girlfriends. Being lactose intolerant doesn’t stop me from entertaining. When I cook I prepare everything with LACTAID® Milk and my friends love it! They are always asking for my fruit smoothies and custard pies.
