Lactose Intolerance/Sensitivity

Kaddyshack21
Kaddyshack21 Posts: 225 Member
edited October 6 in Food and Nutrition
Hey,

I have recently discovered that my body hates dairy. I had up to this point eaten so poorly that I didn't know what was making me feel so awful but now that I have figured it out I am quite sad. I have discovered that I can eat Kefir and a little bit of goat cheese and not feel too bad but, only a little bit and not every day by any means.

I use almond milk for day to day. but I am really struggling to find a good cheese replacement. I love cheese. I had switched over to soy but then I found out that it throws my body crazy out of whack and started causing me health problems.

So I am up for any suggestions that anyone has outside of these to help me find a good alternative. Maybe there are some products out there that I don't know about yet???

THANKS

Replies

  • Diary_Queen
    Diary_Queen Posts: 1,314 Member
    I'm not sure you would be able to use it exactly like the cheese I have in mind... it's more like a cottage cheese or a ricotta cheese type deal, but google and see what you think of some Tofu Cheese. It's a vegan product that seems to look pretty nice :)

    I'm lactose intolerant too, but I find that if I eat cottage cheese or a fat free cheese it doesnt bother me as much as regular cheese.

    Here's a link http://tofufortwo.net/2007/12/02/tofu-cheese/
  • Starla_
    Starla_ Posts: 349
    you can buy lactose free cheese and other dairy stuff, It's not soy based so it may be ok.

    I suggest having a good look through your local supermarkets/healthfood stores. In my experience lactose free diary tends to be hidden
  • quietlywinning
    quietlywinning Posts: 889 Member
    Almond cheese and rice cheese are both good. Almond cheese melts better.
  • Living_Barefoot
    Living_Barefoot Posts: 54 Member
    Goat cheese shouldn't be causing you any problems if you are lactose intolerant. I have sever lactose intolerance and I absolutely love goat cheese, it's the only cheese I can eat and if I could I would eat it all the time :D

    Soy milk is what I drink instead of milk and I find So Good to be my favourite with Silk chocolate to be my absolute favourite chocolate milk. But that's just because I don't like almonds haha.

    Aside from these I'm not really sure, the drier the cheese the easier it is to digest. Otherwise there are pills such as Lactaid that make it capable for your body to digest dairy.

    Sorry I can't think of anything else at the moment! D:
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    I've been off all milk products for about 3 years (even if it doesn't have lactose, if it is milk-based, it will make me violently ill) and I have yet to find a good cheese alternative BUT...
    Tofutti is the best non-dairy brand out there - they have a lot of "Better Than" options and their Better Than Cream Cheese is amazing in a million different ways. Their ice creams are also very good, but I haven't seen any regular cheese options in my local grocery stores, even the specialty food stores.
  • Nyrissa
    Nyrissa Posts: 40
    The Galaxy Nutritional Foods Veggie Slices Provolone is awesome (and not nearly as strong as the normal stuff). Their Cheddar is okay. I wouldn't eat them by themselves or even on a cracker. But I put them in my eggs or on sandwiches and they taste pretty good.

    Two Quick recipes using them:

    Provolone:
    1 egg
    1 Slice Provolone Veggie Slice
    3 Large Black Pearl Olives
    1-2 Small/Medium Mushrooms

    Just rip up the solid stuff, beat it into the egg, then just cook the egg. Very delicious, I eat this all the time.

    Cheddar:
    2 Slices Cheddar Veggie Slice
    2 Pieces of Trader Joe's Sprouted Grain Bread
    Little bit of butter

    These make an AMAZING grilled cheese sandwiches, and they are only about 250 calories each, which is pretty good for a whole grilled cheese sandwich. :)
  • JellyJaks
    JellyJaks Posts: 589 Member
    I'm lactose intolerant and I use lactose free milk. For all other things I use Lactaid. If I know I'm going to eat something dairy I take one right before I eat and it keeps me from getting sick :smile:
  • jessbstampin
    jessbstampin Posts: 4
    Are you sure you're definitely lactose intolerant and not just allergic to pasturized dairy? Skim milk, ice cream, etc. make me sick too. But I seem to be able to handle raw milk purchased from an organic farm in my neighborhood just fine. Same goes for "raw" cheese. One particular brand I like is Yancy's Fancy XXX Sharp. As for dessert, I have recently become addicted to "So Delicious" brand coconut non-dairy frozen dessert. I like the mint chip and no sugar added coconut flavors.
  • CoryIda
    CoryIda Posts: 7,870 Member
    Are you sure you're definitely lactose intolerant and not just allergic to pasturized dairy? Skim milk, ice cream, etc. make me sick too. But I seem to be able to handle raw milk purchased from an organic farm in my neighborhood just fine. Same goes for "raw" cheese. One particular brand I like is Yancy's Fancy XXX Sharp. As for dessert, I have recently become addicted to "So Delicious" brand coconut non-dairy frozen dessert. I like the mint chip and no sugar added coconut flavors.
    The "So Delicious" ice cream is good ONLY when it uses coconut milk. The regular So Delicious ice cream is GROSS!
  • sunkisses
    sunkisses Posts: 2,365 Member
    Try very small portions of cheese at a time, like 1 oz.

    Just a personal poll I'm taking - do you also have a hard time digesting red meat? It's been about 4 years that I figured out that I'm lactose intolerant. But I'm starting to believe that red meat is also just not ok with my gut. In small amounts, I seem to be all right, anything more than 3 oz causes some problems.

    Also, the lactaid pills, even in generic form, work like a charm. I pop one if I ever want ice cream.
  • ilookthetype
    ilookthetype Posts: 3,021 Member
    For a cheese sauce I use a really great recipe my friend created: http://veganrockergirl.blogspot.com/2010/07/taking-comfort-food-to-whole-new-level.html I'm also gluten intolerant so I use sorghum flour instead.
  • Kaddyshack21
    Kaddyshack21 Posts: 225 Member
    thank you all so much for your suggestions. I never thought of lactaid pills at all.....
    but i have a question. The minute i have any dairy i get really (sorry to be gross) lots of phlegm and am constantly clearing my through and I am wheezing etc. I look like I am 8 months pregnant b/c of all the gas and my stomach is upside down. Do those pills prevent all of those symptoms or just prevent pain?

    I didn't even know they made tofu or rice cheese crazy. You think I would too I live in Toronto land of the health nuts. LOL (complimentary of course)

    so is there LACTOSE FREE CHEESE then???
  • Nyrissa
    Nyrissa Posts: 40
    They prevent all the digestive symptoms.

    The Veggie Slices cheeses are lactose free. They are made of soy and vegetables, not milk, they are usually on the shelf with the Vegan stuff.
  • deadstarsunburn
    deadstarsunburn Posts: 1,337 Member
    I know someone posted about liking veggie slices, but in my opinion it's just about the GROWEST thing I've ever tried.That being said almond milk also makes me gag so maybe it's just me lol. I attempted finding good vegan cheese, but things worth having like daiya are 6 dollars a small pack around here.
    OR I know you said you like cheese but think of the calories you'd save by omitting it? I had been vegetarian all my life before I switched to vegan and cheese was a main staple (lol) in my meals, so it was a difficult decision, I think it's what has helped me lose weight more successfully.
    Only a suggestion =]
  • 16mixingbowls
    16mixingbowls Posts: 205 Member
    Blended cashews make cream bases for soups/sauces.

    Mimicream is a processed cashew blend you can buy.

    Daiya cheese is good and vegan/gluten free. It even "melts." Amy's brand even uses it in her dairy free gluten free mac and cheese.

    On a side note, a lot of people who can't do dairy really can't do carageenan and other types of thickeners.
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