So, we are going ot do an elimination diet for dh - lactose

[Parrothead]

Where would I find hidden lactose? We've got the no milk, no cheese, no ice cream thing. Butter? Is non-dairy creamer really non-dairy?

 

What are good alternatives for milk? American cheese? Mozzarella cheese? Is there a good non-dairy ice cream?

 

What about cooking? If I cook/bake something with milk will I need to change to soy/almond/cocount milk?

 

What is the best advice you can give a newbie to the food intolerance life?

[Laurie4b]

If he has lactose intolerance, just eliminating the obvious dairy is usually all that is necessary. A lot of people can tolerate stuff like yogurt and even some cheese, just not tons of cheese or straight milk.

 

You can also buy tablets with the enzyme and eat those with any dairy consumed. Lactose free milk is also sold at regular grocery stores. You can sometimes find lactose-free cheese as well.

 

I do fine with lactose intolerance with drinking Lactose milk and otherwise eating other dairy. I occasionally have a little flare up, but not often.

[Cricket]

Non-dairy creamer should be fine if the issue is only lactose intolerance. Butter is probably okay too since I believe most of the lactose is contained in the "buttermilk" part.

[Margaret in GA]

Just wanted to chime in here that my ds was diagnosed as lactose intolerant when he was small and it turned out to be a dairy allergy. The symptoms in his case presented themselves identically. So, I guess what I'm saying is, if he still has symptoms with a lactose free version of something, but no symptoms when he isn't eating dairy, it's perhaps more complicated than lactose intolerance. :)

 

Margaret

[Beth S]

Two of our 5 newborns were lactose intolerant. A partial elimination of lactose did not work. (My diet affected br**stmilk.)

 

Even bread can contain milk products--it's hidden in a lot of prepared foods.

 

Often a total elimination for a few weeks allows for some healing, and then you can add back things with a small amount of lactose in it, and watch for symptoms.

 

I could hardly resist slightly-melted ice cream. I found "solace" in Cool Whip (ick--has NO dairy in it!), Shed's Spread tub of oleo, Oreo cookies, and applesauce.

 

Hopefully it will bring your dh some relief!

[gingersmom]

I have been lactose intolerant since forever.

 

My father was lactose intolerant (milk made him seriously ill), yet he ate a bowl of haagen dazs ice cream every night.

 

I mentioned this to my gastroenterologist and he said lactose intolerance can vary from person to person.

 

I can put a splash of milk in my coffee but give me a few m & m's and I will have a serious stomachache. Chocolate is not my friend.

 

My foodstore has all the fake cheese (veggie cheese, soy cheese) by the tofu/vegatables.

 

Galaxy foods makes amazing veggie cheese. It melts and tastes so good.

 

Soy is no longer my friend so I can't eat any of the soy cheeses. There are a ton of them though.

 

Tofutti ice cream is delicious but ridiculously high in fat/calories. Rice milk ice cream and dairy free sorbets are also a good option.

 

If you have a Whole Foods nearby they usually have a huge selection of dairy free ice cream/cheese.

 

Lactaid and all those similar products do nothing for me.

[joannqn]

Just wanted to chime in here that my ds was diagnosed as lactose intolerant when he was small and it turned out to be a dairy allergy. The symptoms in his case presented themselves identically. So, I guess what I'm saying is, if he still has symptoms with a lactose free version of something, but no symptoms when he isn't eating dairy, it's perhaps more complicated than lactose intolerance. :)

 

Margaret

:iagree:

 

I've had one lactose intolerant kid (outgrew it) and two dairy allergic kids (outgrew it also). Totally different needs though.

 

The lactose intolerant child only needed lactase supplements. I prefer Digestive Advantage as it also contains probiotics and seems to work a lot better than Dairy Ease.

 

One dairy allergic child needed to avoid dairy but trace amounts were fine. The other dairy allergic child required complete avoidance; even trace amounts from contamination (cooked in same oil) in my diet (I was nursing) made her throw up for 18 hours.

 

So, it really depends on the issue and the person. With complete elimination, you need to learn the ingredient names that mean dairy might be in the item and read every label. It can be found in sausage, gum, non-dairy creamer, non-dairy whipped topping, many many prepackaged foods, etc. Earth Balance has a dairy free margarine, and another one that is both dairy and soy free*. Nucoa is also a dairy free margarine. I prefer the former; though it doesn't taste great, you can cook and bake with it. Switch to soy/rice/oat/almond/coconut milk for drinking/cooking/baking. Coconut Bliss was my prefer dairy free, soy free ice cream*. Check godairyfree.org for eating out information.

 

It takes some getting used to, but it can be done. You'll need to do most cooking from scratch. Many baked goods can be made with simple substitutions. The hardest thing to make dairy free are recipes that have dairy as a major ingredient like pizza (have to leave off the cheese), lasagna, mac and cheese, etc. Soy cheese often has caseine in it, which is a dairy protein.

 

*Be careful with switching to soy products because many dairy allergic people are also allergic to soy. Both my son and I are, which is why I used the dairy and soy free margarine and ice cream.

[Harriet Vane]

You are trying to determine the extent of the sensitivity? Then you must eliminate ALL forms of milk for a minimum of a month. After that point you can try adding back in some milk to see if there is a reaction. You will not get a definitive answer to the question, though, without a ruthless elimination of ALL forms of milk for at least a month.

 

This includes milk, butter, whey, caseine, cheese, and yoghurt.

 

There are two milk-free butter substitutes. One is EarthBalance--look for the tub that specifically says "vegan." The other, far less healthy alternative, is Fleishman's unsalted margarine. HOWEVER, read the ingredients carefully, as both companies do produce butter substitutes that DO have dairy--make sure you get the correct form of butter substitute. I usually get our EarthBalance at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's.

 

I usually substitute unsweetened soy milk in baking, but use rice milk for cold cereal. Almond milk is also a good substitute for either. Coconut milk (NOT coconut cream) is also a good substitute in baking--it does not end up tasting like coconut at all.

 

I am not real crazy about fake cheese. It tastes fake and has a weird, rubbery texture. Also, some fake cheese actually includes milk (boggles my mind as it is supposed to be non-dairy, right?!). If you try fake cheese, please check the ingredients carefully. I find, though, that I can usually cook normally and just set aside a cheese-free portion for ds.

 

Most commercially produced breads do contain milk. Usually french bread does not (check the ingredients!).

 

Most commercially produced cereals also contain milk. Cheerios does not, though.

 

Good luck--I'm happy to answer any further questions.

 

ETA--For ice cream, we go with either dairy-free fruit sorbet or Rice Cream or Soy Cream.

[Slartibartfast]

I like the so delicious unsweetened coconut milk. (it is in the green box) It is working well for me in all sorts of things, I am even making gravy with it!

 

You have to read all labels for milk ingredients. The PP stated it well but lactose intolerance and dairy allergy are not the same thing.

 

Lactose is a sugar and there are many lactose free alternatives. You might even try hard cheeses which are tolerated better by lactose intolerant individuals. Yoghurt is also ok for lactose intolerant people. You can also take those lact-aid pills which is what I would do and thenIwouldeatawholepizzaomg.

 

Dairy allergy is an allergy to the protiens. You can't remove those from milk. You cannot have dairy at all.

 

The "enjoy life" chocolate chips are dairy free. I make chocolate chip cookies with those and earth balance. They turn out great. :)

 

Non-dairy creamer is not typically non-dairy. It still has casien in it, it is ok for lactose intolerant people but not allergies. So delicious makes coconut milk creamer. I admit that when it came out I drank a whole pint of it in three days. It had been a really long time. :blushing:

 

So delicious has ice cream under their label that is cheaper than the "Purely decadent" kind.

 

I do NOT like fake cheese. It is gross to me. I can't just melt a bunch on some chips and call it nachos. Yuck.

 

Some mushed up avocado is a delicious alternative to cheese on a sandwich or on a burrito.

 

I admit I have struggled with Italian food since I discovered my allergy. There was a chicago pizza throw down on the TV and I felt dizzy with desire. :drool5: I WANT TO EAT IT! I WANT TO EAT IT RIGHT NOW!!!

Edited March 3, 2011 by Sis
I think I used the word "really" in my post at least 47 times. :( How embarassing.

[Slartibartfast]

I just realized this is for your dh and not a kid.

 

Tell him to get an allergy test. Dairy allergies are a pitb.

 

Even if allergy tests are expensive, the groceries for a dairy allergy would end up costing more than the test eventually. Plus you can't eat pizza...who wants that unless it is necessary?

Edited March 3, 2011 by Sis

[joannqn]

I just realized this is for your dh and not a kid.

 

Tell him to get an allergy test. Dairy allergies are a pitb.

 

 

Testing is a good start, but it can't be completely relied on. There can be allergies and intolerance that aren't found through testing.

 

I was told my lactose intolerant son wasn't intolerant. The GI specialist tested for it. The elimination diet found what the doctor's couldn't find; as far as they were concerned there was nothing wrong with him that would cause diarrhea, and they never considered the learning delays were related to diet. Turns out both were lactose intolerance. I know it wasn't allergy because he was able to return to consuming dairy after a short break and the introduction of lactase supplements.

 

Further, my allergy testing was negative for everything except a very mild soy allergy. I don't consume soy but I suffer 6 months out of every year with hay fever type symptoms. I'm taking zyrtec and sometimes need to use nasal crom on top of that. I'm obviously allergic to something that builds in the winter. I also know from experience that I'm allergic to dust (at least a little bit) despite my negative result for dust. Get me around enough of it, and I'm sneezing non stop, get completely stuffed up, and get red, itchy, and watery eyes. Sometimes, the conjunctiva of my eyes even swell like a mini balloon in my eye socket (quite disturbing the first time it happens!). Obviously, I'm allergic to it regardless of what the doctor's tests say.

[Slartibartfast]

Testing is a good start, but it can't be completely relied on. There can be allergies and intolerance that aren't found through testing.

 

I was told my lactose intolerant son wasn't intolerant. The GI specialist tested for it. The elimination diet found what the doctor's couldn't find; as far as they were concerned there was nothing wrong with him that would cause diarrhea, and they never considered the learning delays were related to diet. Turns out both were lactose intolerance. I know it wasn't allergy because he was able to return to consuming dairy after a short break and the introduction of lactase supplements.

 

Further, my allergy testing was negative for everything except a very mild soy allergy. I don't consume soy but I suffer 6 months out of every year with hay fever type symptoms. I'm taking zyrtec and sometimes need to use nasal crom on top of that. I'm obviously allergic to something that builds in the winter. I also know from experience that I'm allergic to dust (at least a little bit) despite my negative result for dust. Get me around enough of it, and I'm sneezing non stop, get completely stuffed up, and get red, itchy, and watery eyes. Sometimes, the conjunctiva of my eyes even swell like a mini balloon in my eye socket (quite disturbing the first time it happens!). Obviously, I'm allergic to it regardless of what the doctor's tests say.

 

But on the opposite end of the spectrum I don't have symptoms from my severe dairy allergy. I just have an incurable autoimmune disease.

 

You are right, tests aren't an answer but I do think it is a good idea to try it out.

 

Have you considered taking the alternative allergy tests? My stuff shows up on IgE (I have similar allergies to yours it sounds like, my dust is bad) but there are other sorts that seem to get results that IgE does not.

Edited March 3, 2011 by Sis

[Parrothead]

Just wanted to chime in here that my ds was diagnosed as lactose intolerant when he was small and it turned out to be a dairy allergy. The symptoms in his case presented themselves identically. So, I guess what I'm saying is, if he still has symptoms with a lactose free version of something, but no symptoms when he isn't eating dairy, it's perhaps more complicated than lactose intolerance. :)

 

Margaret

Yes, I'm thinking it might actually be an allergy, but dh didn't want to hear that. I'm looking for an underlying cause to his UC and some other things that don't seem related. The dairy allergy/intolerance would account for the vast majority according all the research I've done lately.

 

I honestly think this is something dh has had all his life but no one caught it. I think he sees his symptoms as not symptoms at all, just part of who he is.

 

You are trying to determine the extent of the sensitivity? Then you must eliminate ALL forms of milk for a minimum of a month. After that point you can try adding back in some milk to see if there is a reaction. You will not get a definitive answer to the question, though, without a ruthless elimination of ALL forms of milk for at least a month.

 

This includes milk, butter, whey, caseine, cheese, and yoghurt.

 

There are two milk-free butter substitutes. One is EarthBalance--look for the tub that specifically says "vegan." The other, far less healthy alternative, is Fleishman's unsalted margarine. HOWEVER, read the ingredients carefully, as both companies do produce butter substitutes that DO have dairy--make sure you get the correct form of butter substitute. I usually get our EarthBalance at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's.

 

I usually substitute unsweetened soy milk in baking, but use rice milk for cold cereal. Almond milk is also a good substitute for either. Coconut milk (NOT coconut cream) is also a good substitute in baking--it does not end up tasting like coconut at all.

 

I am not real crazy about fake cheese. It tastes fake and has a weird, rubbery texture. Also, some fake cheese actually includes milk (boggles my mind as it is supposed to be non-dairy, right?!). If you try fake cheese, please check the ingredients carefully. I find, though, that I can usually cook normally and just set aside a cheese-free portion for ds.

 

Most commercially produced breads do contain milk. Usually french bread does not (check the ingredients!).

 

Most commercially produced cereals also contain milk. Cheerios does not, though.

 

Good luck--I'm happy to answer any further questions.

 

ETA--For ice cream, we go with either dairy-free fruit sorbet or Rice Cream or Soy Cream.

Thank you for all of this information.

[Slartibartfast]

Yes, I'm thinking it might actually be an allergy, but dh didn't want to hear that. I'm looking for an underlying cause to his UC and some other things that don't seem related. The dairy allergy/intolerance would account for the vast majority according all the research I've done lately.

 

I honestly think this is something dh has had all his life but no one caught it. I think he sees his symptoms as not symptoms at all, just part of who he is.

 

 

Thank you for all of this information.

 

 

I think you have good reason to be concerned about an allergy if he has UC. Do you suspect dairy in particular or do you have any concerns about additional allergies?

 

It is really common for people with food allergies to have multiple food allergies. When I tested positive for milk they tried every test under the sun to check me for wheat allergies.

 

If it were me I would get the tests as corn, wheat and soy can also cause a lot of issues.

 

I would just be concerned that with him having UC that he won't necessarily see a relief of symptoms so he might think he isn't allergic when he is. That is what happened to me.

[Harriet Vane]

You know, I would do the very best job I could do, not the least I could get by with, to try to track this down. There's no point in doing it at all if you don't get reliable information. If you get good infomraiton you can make better decisions.

 

NO cow-milk anything--cheese, yogurt, buter, whatever. None.

Yes, there is lactose in margarine, in non-dairy creamer.

 

There are some very good sheep and goat substitutes for cow.

Myself, I can't have any dairy and I found that I prefer "nothing" to most substitutes. The exception is EarthBalance margarine--love me my EarthBalance. But the soy/rice/flax/oat milk don't cut it. Almond milk, I have heard, is good. (Allergic, here.) And a good sub for creamer is Mocha Mix, although that has corn syrup in it...but it's not like you are drinking the stuff.

 

Lots of people on this board have been completely dairy-free for years; it is do-able (but the first month is definitely the hardest).

 

(hugs) I know this is hard. But it is really much better to do it right, so you can learn from the experience.

 

A word of caution--do NOT use any other mammalian milk as a substitute while you are trying to figure this out. Since you do not know if there is a milk allergy or lactose intolerance, you need to completely avoid ALL forms of mammalian milk for a minimum of a month, as I mentioned in my earlier post. Then after the system is "clean", that's when you start experimenting with exposures to milk or cheese or goat milk or whatever.

[CrissMom]

I have recently gone dairy free because I determined dairy was upsetting my system.

 

I love the SO Delicious Brand. We use their unsweetened coconut milk and the vanilla flavored coconut milk. Their ice cream is also wonderful!

 

For cheese I use Rice Shreds. There is mozzarella and cheddar flavor. I use the mozzarella on pizza and there really isn't any difference. Before I put the pizza in the oven I drizzle a little bit of oil over the top just to give it a little extra moisture. The cheese can be a little dry sometimes out of the package.

 

I use Smart Balance vegan spread for butter and it works fine in all the baking/cooking I do.

[Slartibartfast]

I have recently gone dairy free because I determined dairy was upsetting my system.

 

I love the SO Delicious Brand. We use their unsweetened coconut milk and the vanilla flavored coconut milk. Their ice cream is also wonderful!

 

For cheese I use Rice Shreds. There is mozzarella and cheddar flavor. I use the mozzarella on pizza and there really isn't any difference. Before I put the pizza in the oven I drizzle a little bit of oil over the top just to give it a little extra moisture. The cheese can be a little dry sometimes out of the package.

 

I use Smart Balance vegan spread for butter and it works fine in all the baking/cooking I do.

 

Rice Shreds contain dairy. They have casien in them so they are not ok for allergic people but they are lactose free.

[Parrothead]

I think you have good reason to be concerned about an allergy if he has UC. Do you suspect dairy in particular or do you have any concerns about additional allergies?

 

It is really common for people with food allergies to have multiple food allergies. When I tested positive for milk they tried every test under the sun to check me for wheat allergies.

 

If it were me I would get the tests as corn, wheat and soy can also cause a lot of issues.

 

I would just be concerned that with him having UC that he won't necessarily see a relief of symptoms so he might think he isn't allergic when he is. That is what happened to me.

 

Thank you so much for posting. I showed dh your post.

 

A word of caution--do NOT use any other mammalian milk as a substitute while you are trying to figure this out. Since you do not know if there is a milk allergy or lactose intolerance, you need to completely avoid ALL forms of mammalian milk for a minimum of a month, as I mentioned in my earlier post. Then after the system is "clean", that's when you start experimenting with exposures to milk or cheese or goat milk or whatever.

Yes, we bought coconut milk today. Earth Balance vegan spread too. There was a brand of vegan "cheese" of which we purchased the American flavored. And some soy creamer for his coffee. I think it might be okay for the first little while. He really is still getting used to the idea.

[elegantlion]

No advice, I'm sorry though, especially after all the food budget talk and discussion on expensive cheese. :svengo:

[Parrothead]

No advice, I'm sorry though, especially after all the food budget talk and discussion on expensive cheese. :svengo:

Ironic, eh?

 

He seems to be handling it well. I did "let" him buy a box of Pop Tarts to help out with all the "no, hon, you can't have that."

[tuckabella]

I found this website helpful when I wanted to bake and it needed to be dairy free.

Good luck! I am only intolerant and can take a probiotic once a day instead of having to take Lactaid with dairy foods.

[Susan C.]

Didn't read all of the posts, will quickly post before I go to bed. I am lactose intolerant (or something similar). It does help to get rid of all dairy for quite awhile, then play with it to see what bothers him. Too many grains bother me, so there won't be much of that below either (I handle oat better than wheat). Also, margarine, veg. oil and the like bother me.

 

Breakfast: Eggs, cereal w/almond milk (I wouldn't do soy, estrogen, bad for men), juice, or leftovers from dinner, like chicken, then do veg. juice instead of fruit juice

 

Lunch: Salads are your friend. Throw good quality meat on it (hamburger for taco salad, or a chicken breast), experiment with herb seasonings. Oil and vinegar dressings made with olive oil. No cheese, but with a good dressing you won't miss it. Experiment with different veggies, sprouts are good, avocado will make it more filling.

 

Dinner: Roasts, Chicken, Hamburgers, good quality meat. And vegetables and maybe another salad.

 

Desserts: So Delicious has yummy ice cream made with coconut milk. Be careful, some of the So Delicious is soy. I also like the coconut milk.

 

It is basic, you can tweek it, but it is worth it to not have that awful belly ache!

[Margaret in GA]

I think you have good reason to be concerned about an allergy if he has UC. Do you suspect dairy in particular or do you have any concerns about additional allergies?

 

It is really common for people with food allergies to have multiple food allergies. When I tested positive for milk they tried every test under the sun to check me for wheat allergies.

 

If it were me I would get the tests as corn, wheat and soy can also cause a lot of issues.

 

I would just be concerned that with him having UC that he won't necessarily see a relief of symptoms so he might think he isn't allergic when he is. That is what happened to me.

 

Sis- sorry to hijack the thread- but my niece has been diagnose with UC and has tried eliminating dairy which helped somewhat but not entirely (though I am certain she wasn't 100% diligent) and is now eliminating gluten and a few other things as well. Just wondered if you are better now, or still dealing with it and how you found real help. Thanks!

 

Margaret

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