Low carb & no dairy diet

Hi all, I really need some help on what I can and can't eat, and some meal ideas.

Recently I have experienced some fairly serious tummy/bowel problems and my doctor has told me that to alleviate some of this,m I should adopt a low carbohydrate, dairy free diet (I've always been allergic to dairy, but still eaten it in small portions).

If anyone could help it would be much appreciated!

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    lots of lean meat, veg, and peanut butter for you then!
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    I've always been allergic to dairy, but still eaten it in small portions).

    That makes no sense. if you're properly allergic to dairy you would not be able to have any at all. Have you actually been officially diagnosed? What's your doctors thinking about low carb. Why has he/she suggested this? Most doctors have only a few hours training in actual nutrition. I would request that you get referred to a registered dietitian and if you haven't have some proper tests to see if you are actually allergic to anything.
  • tennisdude2004
    tennisdude2004 Posts: 5,609 Member
    Bump
  • tennisdude2004
    tennisdude2004 Posts: 5,609 Member
    Certainly cutting dairy and processed carbs (grains, added sugars) from your diary won't hurt (in fact it would probably be beneficial for most people).

    If you are reducing you carb intake make sure you are getting enough protein 0.7g per lb of body weight is an approx. and make up the rest of your cals with Fats (nuts are a great source as 1 option).

    Make sure the carbs you are eating are nutrient efficient (lots of veggies, moderate fruit).

    Hopefully cutting these for even a 30 day period will be beneficial - if not I guess it's back to the drawing board.

    Good luck.
  • MVY_
    MVY_ Posts: 253 Member
    It's a hard habit to do since I'm asian and I eat a lot of rice but if you are commited you can do it!
  • tr3kkie9rl
    tr3kkie9rl Posts: 144 Member
    Look up a recipe for "baked egg custard" and just sub the coconut milk for regular milk, and truvia for the sugar, and add whatever flavors you want (pumpkin pie spices, cocoa powder, lemon juice, etc). It's a delicious protein-packed "dessert"!
    Clif and Luna bars are usually dairy free.
    And as far as cheese, don't bother with anything but Daiya brand.
    Butter substitute will be the hardest. If you can tolerate very small amounts, Smart Balance is the most economical with the least amount of dairy in it. If you are going for hardcore zero dairy, you have to use Earth Balance which is quite a bit more expensive.
    Avocados are really good too.
  • icrushit
    icrushit Posts: 773 Member
    I would second the advice to consult a good nutritionist before taking your doctors advice in this regard. In my experience, most doctors have two big blindspots in their knowledge; nutrition and muscular injuries, and would be more inclined to consult a good specialist in these fields.

    If you do need to lower your carbs, I would suggest doing it gradually, and that way you shouldn't miss things overly if you give things time to adjust. Some people go cold turkey, but personally I did it in stages, starting about 6 weeks ago, and have had no cravings for carbs at all. If you opt to go this approach, starting with junk food, proceeding to bread and grains, then trimming excessively starchy vegetables and cutting back on fruit is a good way to go I found. Of course alcohol is in the carb category too, but I drink so rarely its not an issue for me, if I did want to keep alcohol in my diet transitioning to spirits would seem to be the way to go, avoiding beer, wine, and sugar-rich mixers.
  • cdn_beaver
    cdn_beaver Posts: 130 Member
    Check out Paleo. It's a low carb diet that mostly limits dairy. Lots of delicious, healthy recipes.
  • brandiweyant
    brandiweyant Posts: 5 Member
    I don't think she means allergic as much as intolerant. I know many people who are lactose intolerant and still eat all things dairy and pay the price later.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,097 Member
    It would be helpful for your doctor to give you a specific number, range, or percentage of total calories for carbs in your diet, rather than just to tell you "low carb." I would recommend asking her/him for that, and also for a referral to a dietician who could help you develop a plan that reflects whatever medical issues you have that has caused your doctor to make this recommendation.
  • MistressPi
    MistressPi Posts: 514 Member
    It's pretty easy to eat low carb (under 50g daily) without dairy foods. Eat meat, fish and fowl, eggs, animal fat, coconut oil, olive oil, low starch veggies, (salads, cruciferous vegetables, onion, radishes, so may more), low sugar fruits (tomatoes, berries are good, melons, watch quantities!). If you are lactose intolerant, you might still be able to tolerate ghee, which is clarified butter (all the milk solids removed). HTH
  • MistressPi
    MistressPi Posts: 514 Member
    Just realized the OP posted this MONTHS ago! Oh well ...