lactose free diet

[jaq1964]

Hi, I've just been told that I'm probably lactose intolerant. I've been told to avoid milk, but understand that other foods contain it. I need some help, please.
Jacqui

[nigella]

you say probably, so your not sure so first you need to find out for definate. You'll need to speak to a dietician, get your GP to refer you to one. if you are lactose intolerant, the dietician will offer suggestions for alternatives.check all foods you buy incase they contain dairy products. you may be able to tolerate soy milk. best of luck x

[jaq1964]

Hi Nigella, Thanks for your reply. It was a dietician who told me that she thinks I'm probably lactose intolerant. Having diebetes, when I was in hospital (not my local, but a specialist burns unit in a different health authority) recently, a dietician was sent to see me. I've had terrible stomach/bowel problems for the past 5 years which I was told was due to autonomic neuropathy. I had a chat with the dietician about my problems and she suggested that I follow a lactose free diet whilst in hospital. And to my surprise my symptoms were much better, although not 100% better. I've followed the diet since I came home, but still have occasions when the problems reoccur which make me question if I'm eating something I'm not supposed to.
yoiu seem very knowledgeable about medical stuff. Do you work in the medical field?

[Hermia]

It might be worth asking for further tests (from a doctor not someone in a health food shop!). I had to do a revolting test in hospital which involved drinking lactose and being stabbed with lots of needles!

Getting a lactose-free diet right takes a LOT of experimentation. Some people can start to introduce a small amount of lactose back into their diets after a lactose-free period, others definitely can't. I can't tolerate milk or recipes containing milk at all. But other dairy products contain smailler amounts of lactose, such as mature cheese and yogurt. I have a pot of yogurt each day with no problem. You need to start reading labels as lots of things contain lactose, including some boiled sweets! Many pills also contain lactose, but my doctor said someone would have to be very, very sensitive to have a problem with that amount of lactose.

You just need to try different foods out and not get too obsessed with it all. I still sometimes get symptons and can't always remember what I ate that was wrong. And sometimes I just really want that ice-cream or don't want to offend a friend by refusing something they cooked. Basically, the result may be a bit unpleasant, but occasionally going wrong won't kill you!

[nigella]

yes jaq, i do, hermia is right, there are a lot of things containing lactose, so thorough reading of labels is required. lactose free diets take a lot of persistence, and trial and error, here is a site that may interest you

http://www.lactofree.co.uk/index.php