11 replies to this topic

[Buck22]

Hi All,

This is my first post - been lurking for a while.

I've been searching for a while to find a milk substitute since I have trouble with real milk (lactose?). I can't drink anything except water and home made strawberry juice without reacting. I finally thought I found the answer when I found "Almond Breeze" made by Blue Diamond (Growers). It says gluten free on the label, it doesn't have lactose, and it has no corn starch/syrup, but I still have a very bad and immediate gluten reaction to it (gas, stomach gurgling, diarrhea, dermatitis herpetiformis , etc.) Althought it says gluten free it does have a couple of suspect ingredients, namely "natural vanilla flavor with other natural flavors". I haven't called them yet since I just confirmed my suspicion this morning (Sunday), but I was wondering if anyone else has had a bad experience or reaction to this problem.

Regards,
Richard

Markham, Ontario, Canada

[Anonymousgurl]

I react to nearly all milk substitutes as well! So you're not alone. Unfortunately though, I can't be of much help to you. I haven't exactly figured it out either. I HAVE figured out though that I react to anything and everything with oil and/or fatty acids in it...so that would be the oil in rice milk and the almonds in almond milk. Are you okay with oils and fats?

[Buck22]

Yes, fine. All except corn oil that is.

Regards,
Richard

I react to nearly all milk substitutes as well! So you're not alone. Unfortunately though, I can't be of much help to you. I haven't exactly figured it out either. I HAVE figured out though that I react to anything and everything with oil and/or fatty acids in it...so that would be the oil in rice milk and the almonds in almond milk. Are you okay with oils and fats?

[burdee]

I believe Almond Breeze products contain soy. I tried those when I was searching for a gluten free, dairy free, soy free product. I attributed my reaction to the soy contained in that brand of almond milk. I now use Pacific brand of almond milk.
BURDEE

[Lister]

i drink almond breeze every morning usualy use it on my cereal, never had any problems but i also dont have problems with soy

[Judyin Philly]

HI
Patti thanks for alerting me to this thread.
I can usually tolerate the soy lecithin but maybe not in this
will sure try to find yours.....pacific brand
good luck everyone.
I did like the taste.
judy
******************************

Blue Diamond Vanilla Almond Breeze - 32 oz - 12 Pack AS-SP064] $37.19

Gluten Free
Ingredients: Water, evaporated cane juice, almonds, tricalcium phosphate, vanilla extract, sea salt, potassium citrate, soy lecithin, carrageenan, vitamin E acetate, vitamin A palmitate and vitamin D3.

[Mango04]

Almond Breeze is gluten-free, but contains carageenan, which can cause digestive troubles:

Some folks can eat just about anything. Some people might
have no problem producing a tall glass of homemade soymilk,
then converting it to chocolate milk by adding the
following ingredients: Three teaspoons of sugar. One
teaspoon of chocolate powder. Two tablespoons of Vaseline
petroleum jelly. The Vaseline might produce gastric
distress, and the soymilk drinkers would erroneously
conclude that they are "allergic" to soy. Some people
do not experience gastric discomfort caused by the
Vaseline-like food additive, carrageenan. Many people do.

Carrageenan is a commonly used food additive that is
extracted from red seaweed by using powerful alkali
solvents. These solvents would remove the tissues
and skin from your hands as readily as would any acid.

Carrageenan is a thickening agent. It's the vegetarian
equivalent of casein, the same protein that is isolated
from milk and used to thicken foods. Casein is also
used to produce paints, and is the glue used to hold
a label to a bottle of beer. Carrageenan is the magic
ingredient used to de-ice frozen airplanes sitting on
tarmacs during winter storms.
.....

Carrageenan is a gel. It coats the insides of a stomach,
like gooey honey or massage oil. Digestive problems often
ensue. Quite often, soy eaters or soymilk drinkers react
negatively to carrageenen, and blame their discomforting
stomachaches on the soy.

High weight molecular carrageenans are considered to be safe,
and were given GRAS status (safe for human consumption) by
the FDA. Low weight carrageenans are considered to be
dangerous. Even SILK admits this.

more here:
http://www.notmilk.com/carageenan.html

google carrageenan for more info

[Buck22]

Thank you for all of your feedback. Not sure if you're in the States, Judy, but here in Canada the ingredient list on the side of the package reads a little differently:

Vanilla Almond Breeze

PURIFIED WATER, EVAPORATED CANE JUICE, ALMONDS, TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, NATURAL VANILLA FLAVOR WITH OTHER NATURAL FLAVORS, SEA SALT, POTASSIUM CITRATE, CARRAGEENAN AND SOY LECITHIN

I suspect it might be the carrageenan as Mango has suggested. Whenever I've had a problem with dairy: cream and cheeze specifically, that ingredient always seems to be there. Maybe this is why I'm ok with eggs. Maybe it's not a dairy thing, but a carageenan thing.

Thanks,
Richard

HI
Patti thanks for alerting me to this thread.
I can usually tolerate the soy lecithin but maybe not in this
will sure try to find yours.....pacific brand
good luck everyone.
I did like the taste.
judy
******************************

Blue Diamond Vanilla Almond Breeze - 32 oz - 12 Pack AS-SP064] $37.19

Gluten Free
Ingredients: Water, evaporated cane juice, almonds, tricalcium phosphate, vanilla extract, sea salt, potassium citrate, soy lecithin, carrageenan, vitamin E acetate, vitamin A palmitate and vitamin D3.

[RiceGuy]

I like homemade nut milk. Guar gum works great to get a creamy consistency. Add banana, applesauce, berries, or whatever other fruit you like for a wonderful smoothie too. For added sweetness, Stevia is my choice.

[Buck22]

How do you make it? Blender or food processer (or juicer?)? Do you have a recipe for me to try?

Thanks,
Richar

I like homemade nut milk. Guar gum works great to get a creamy consistency. Add banana, applesauce, berries, or whatever other fruit you like for a wonderful smoothie too. For added sweetness, Stevia is my choice.

[zkat]

I believe Almond Breeze products contain soy. I tried those when I was searching for a gluten free, dairy free, soy free product. I attributed my reaction to the soy contained in that brand of almond milk. I now use Pacific brand of almond milk.
BURDEE

They do contain soy, I also use the Pacific Brand and love the vanilla flavor. I was so excited to find this. It is hard to find sometimes. The only place I have found it is at Whole foods.

[Rusla]

I use almond breeze original flavor and have no problems with it and I am highly sensitive.