I Have A Question About Eating Yogurt, Etc...

[nikki2008]

Before I developed celiac, I used to eat yogurt all the time. But the other day I tried it, and had D afterward. I don't know if this means I've become sensitive to lactose. If so, is it generally ok to eat yogurt if you have Lactaid first? Do those of us who are lactose-sensitive avoid lactose entirely to be safe, or is it better to get the nutrition from the yogurt and take Lactaid first?

I also have edema related to the celiac and I've read some people think avoiding dairy reduces swelling in your legs. Does anyone know if this is true?

It's very hard for me to cook, and I hate to miss the nutrition I can get from yogurt, cheese, etc., but I see the board is divided about whether to avoid dairy entirely.

I'd really appreciate it if some of you could tell me any personal anecdotes you have about eating aged cheese, cottage cheese, or yogurt (gluten-free, of course). This is all new to me and a nutritionist I spoke to said it's up to me and I have no ides what to do. She was pretty useless, actually, just gave me some pamphlets, so if anyone could share menus about what to eat when your intestine is still recovering, I'd really appreciate it.

For example, I'm wondering if it's ok to eat hardboiled eggs, or if they upset your intestine. I'm wondering if it's a good idea to take digestive enzymes before you eat. I'm wondering whether it's best to stick to cooked foods at first, or try dried fruit and nuts. I was going to buy some dried apricots, but the package said they were produced on equipment which also processes wheat. I've been eating Trader Joe's Cinnamon Sugar Almonds, but I just read on the package that they're made on equipment which also processes wheat. Is that safe in general.

I don't want to become paranoid if I'm shopping at TJ's for gluten-free products, because almost all the gluten-free packages say that.

Will eating foods on shared equipment slow down my recovery, or behelps ful because I have a greater variety of foods to choose from. I would really welcome any advice, and I'd like to know if it's possible to eat a wider variety after your intestine has calmed down -- does the bloating ever stop. I've only been gluten-free for a couple of weeks.

Thank you.

[lizard00]

As far as dairy goes, you should probably cut it out for a while. If it's gives you D, then something's not right. Doesn't mean you can never have it again... just probably not a good idea for now. Try it again in a few months and see what happens.

And for what foods are good to eat, you have to find things that don't bother you. That's kind of an individual thing. For me, I lived on rice, bananas and chicken for a few weeks. That was at my worst, when I thought my insides were on fire. Now I am pretty much back to most things, although I personally do very little dairy. I thought I couldn't live without my yogurt, but now I find that I can only tolerate so much at once. You're right, the forum is divided on that issue, and I think it's a personal one that you have to decide for yourself. The one true thing that no one can debate is gluten. Other than that, you have to go with what your body is telling you. I do know that if you otherwise eat nutritionally sound, you will not miss out on the benefits of dairy. Milk is fortified with most of the vitamins and minerals in it, whereas many fruits and vegetables have them naturally.

As for the processed in a facility with wheat.... that is another thread all on its own... I'm sure someone will chime in though on that one.

[nikki2008]

It's amazing that you lived on rice, chicken, and bananas because those are the only things I ate for around a month, besides boiled carrots -- this was before I learned I can't eat gluten -- and I also had burning cramps that felt like my intestines were on fire -- it became so bad I couldn't even eat bananas, just small amounts of boiled chicken and rice, which I suppose is why I'm so depleted now -- after a couple of weeks without gluten, I found the cramps are gone, and I can tolerate a wider variety of foods, but I have anxiety everytime I try something new, even if it's as innocuous as a blueberry or a beet, and I have no idea when it's okay to start branching out to something as adventurous as a sardine.

Do you have any awareness of a transitional diet? (i.e. foods that are generally considered safe while you're recovering), and if you could tell me when other symptoms such as bloating, hives, wheezing, and water retention tend to stop, I'd be immensely grateful.

I went to Trader joe's tonight, and nearly everything gluten other than fresh fruits and vegetables, of course, had some sort of warning on the package. Is it safe to eat a dried apricot that was from a facility that processes wheat? Since no one else has weighed in, I'd really appreciate what you personally do when a gluten-free package has such a warning.

And whether, for example, you think it's safe to have a small amount of cheddar cheese if one takes Lactaid with it. I'm having a really difficult time finding portable foods, because I have no way to cook where I'm currently living, alhough I'm trying to set up some sort of makeshift kitchen.

It would be great to hear about the sort of foods you ate as you recovered. I hope your symptoms are better. Thanks so much for your advice

[MDRB]

Hi,

A lot of celiacs find that they can't handle dairy, this is because the lining of your small intestine that is damaged by eating gluten also is also the part of your body produces the enzyme that helps you digest dairy. Once your body has healed, you should be able to slowly reintroduce dairy into your diet as long as it is not an additional unrelated intolerance.

I found that I could only tolerate small amounts of dairy at first, such as a little cheese in salad, but any thing more than that such as milk on cereal or yogurt or cream and I would get nausea, heart burn etc.

As for your question about what will help your body heal. There are a few things that I found helped me recover quickly including taking a good multivitamin everyday, including flax oil in your cooking (very good for your gut)

eating fresh, unprocessed, low fat foods like: beans, lentils, lean meats, and any fresh vegetables.

Good luck

[pixiegirl]

To reiterate what others have said, dairy bothered me for a while after I went gluten-free, I think my insides were just so beaten up by eating gluten and such for so long. After a couple months of no dairy I started using a tiny bit of cream in my tea and initially that got my belly rumbling and I had a little D. But I kept using it just in tea and after a few days I was ok.

Now I can eat cheese, yogurt, and even a bowl of cereal and other then occasional gas I'm fine. Just so you know I was told that yogurt naturally has very little lactose so I don't think its the lactose that is bothering you.

After being gluten-free for a year I was 98% better but still had some issues and went to an allergist and found I had quite a few food allergies. So that could be your issue too, it seems like a lot of people on this list have food allergies. So if things keep bothering you, allergy testing may be something to look into. Most of the food I'm allergic to I can eat in small amounts occasionally.

I don't eat processed foods that say they are made in a factory that also handles wheat, the chance for cross contamination is far greater and I've reacted to those types of foods before.

My daughter does eat those foods and I feel she reacts to them frequently, but she is 16 and trying to cope with yet another food restriction. Each person has to decide for themselves on that one.

Susan

[Puddy]

I was diagnosed with celiac disease about a month ago. My symptoms were osteoporosis and anemia. I have been lactose intolerant for the last 30 years and have never had a problem with diarrhea as long as I use Lactaid milk or take lactaid pills before eating dairy. I eat a bowl of cereal with Lactaid milk every morning and a yogurt for an afternoon snack with no problems. I questioned my gastro dr. about whether I should stay away from dairy while I was healing and she said no, as long as the lactaid worked it was fine. She told me in about 3 months to try and stop taking the Lactaid because I might be able tolerate dairy products as I heal even more. Hope this helps.

[JNBunnie1]

I become lactose intolerant when I've been glutened, but tolerate raw dairy fine otherwise. I personally try to avoid pasteurized dairy, except for yogurt, it's much more difficult to digest. I would suggest waiting a week, try taking some lactase enzyme and then eat a little yogurt, and see if you react again. That would be a good indicator. Other people have given you good advice about recovery food. You may want to get a hot plate, you can do stuff like steamed or sauteed veggies, cook brown rice, or even small amounts of one-pot stew. Allrecipes is a good website for stews and such, they're all rated and easy to follow. There's also a recipes board on this forum.

All you really need is a safe, stable surface for a cutting board and your hot plate, and a sink for rinsing veggies and doing dishes. Keep your own sponge in you bedroom so no one else can use it on their dishes. A toaster oven would be helpful too, you could do baked chicken and potatoes (thighs are cheaper and more moist when baked, in my opinion) or heat up gluten-free muffins. You might want to stay away from too much replacement food for now, like frozen pizzas and such, you'll get more nutrition from real foods.

I also avoid foods 'made on same equipment' and I examine a company very carefully if it's 'made in same facility'. For example, Lay's is notorious for cross-contamination. Oh, we use 'cc' as an abbreviation for cross-contamination.

[nikki2008]

Thanks for the information. Could you give me a few examples of foods with which you eat flax oil, and how much you had per day? How long did it take for you to heal?

[MDRB]

Thanks for the information. Could you give me a few examples of foods with which you eat flax oil, and how much you had per day? How long did it take for you to heal?

You can add flax oil to just about anything. I used to have about a teaspoon a day. I personally like using it as a dresssing on salads or mixing it with some chopped fresh herbs for a pesto-like sauce. You can have some in smoothies, porridge, soups, pretty much anything.

If you don't want to use it in your cooking, you can buy a flax supliment, I haven't tried them but I would imagine they are ok as long as you double check that they are gluten free.

[AliB]

Hi Nikki.

I've been gluten-free, dairy free, and off most carbs and sugar for two months now. My stomach still reacts a bit but it is a lot better now than it was.

After I went gluten-free/DF, within 5 hours the pain stopped. Within a week most of the residual discomfort and bloating had gone, but I still had issues with other foods, mainly gluten-free carbs so that's when I dropped most carb and sugar. I thought, well, in for a penny.........and all that.

I've noticed that some still have problems with other foods after they have gone gluten-free, either that, or they get better for a while then get worse again. I think perhaps, like me, they are actually intolerant not just of gluten but carbs in general. Having replaced the gluten with other gluten-free carbs they then start to become intolerant of those too.

I decided to cut straight to the chase and give my gut a real chance to recover by just keeping my diet simple. I concentrate on plain, unprocessed or adulterated meat, fish and poultry, fresh fruit and veg, a little honey, a few nuts and I was also able to cope with homemade well cultured yogurt. The longer it is cultured, the more lactose is broken down by the bacteria.

I am now finding that I can cope with some foods that I had problems with at first, like eggs and can now eat an occasional home-made gluten-free baked item and tolerate it fairly well, although I am trying to still restrict the carbs as I have problems with internal yeast.

The simpler we keep the food, the less stress we put on the digestion and the quicker it will heal. I suspect too with some who still get reactions, particularly allergies, it may be that they are still consuming something that is preventing their gut from healing properly. Leaky Gut will allow undigested food particles and other toxins through the gut wall into the bloodstream triggering allergic responses to substances that shouldn't be there. The healthier the gut, the healthier the body.

The way this system is with all the pollution and tampering with our food, we will never be 100% fit but at least we can achieve some semblance of health if we look after our bodies. Our 'Western' diet is so full of carbs and sugar and chemicals it's not surprising we are having these problems - our 'Western' diet triggers our 'Western' diseases and gluten is implicated in an awful lot of them.

[jeanbean]

I have been gluten free for 3 1/2 months - I react rarely now. I do limit my dairy because anything more than a few cubes of cheese or some milk in gluten-free cereal, I will not feel right. I also limit carbs because I was finding that rice cakes, GFcrackers or gluten-free chips also bother me if I eat too much of it.

So I just have a bit and I'm ok.

As for eggs, I have them every day, any way (hardboiled, scrambled) and it gives me lots of energy too. Sometimes I scramble one with gluten-free toast and I have a sandwich for breakfast. Dried fruit is great too - I can tolerate dried cranberries, cherries, but I haven't tried apricots.

I usually use them in my homemade scones. I never eat anything on shared wheat lines, that's just asking for trouble. I only buy brands that guarantee gluten-free and I stick to them. Every time I try a new spice or something and I don't react, I write it on a list so I can refer back to it.

I was overwhelmed at first, but reading all these posts taught me that everyone is different and you really have to eat as simply and naturally as possible. I don't buy anything canned except tomatoes - because I make a lot of sauce. Good luck.

[nikki2008]

I have been gluten free for 3 1/2 months - I react rarely now.

Thanks so much for your response. I notice in your signature that bloating, migraines, and constipation disappeared -- may I ask how long it took? I haven't had gluten except Beano, before I learned it was derived from wheat, for around two-and-a-half weeks, and I'm feeling very frustrated because the abdominal cramps have disappeared -- for which I'm immensely grateful -- but I'm still incredibly bloated, my legs swell, hives continue to flare up on occasion, and I have a slight wheeze. While I celebrate that today I was able to walk up a flight of stairs unassisted because my energy has improved, I wonder if I'm doing something wrong, because the other symptoms haven't gone away. Do you have any idea how long it takes for bloating to disappear, for example, and water retention -- my face is still puffy. I'm afraid that I'll never feel like I'm me again, and would love it if you or anyone else would be kind enough to tell me how quickly these symptoms tend to go away -- or is it possible they'll never go away, even if I am scrupulously gluten-free. Thanks.

[nikki2008]

Hi Nikki.

I've been gluten-free, dairy free, and off most carbs and sugar for two months now. My stomach still reacts a bit but it is a lot better now than it was.

Thanks for your response. It sounds like you've really thought this through. I know everyone is different, but may I ask what a typical day's menu would be, because perhaps I could learn something from you. Today I had papaya, avocado on a rice cake, banana, free-range salt-free turkey on a few more rice cakes, with a hardboiled egg, and some beets, half a potato, and a small amount of broccoli. May I ask if that sounds balanced to you? My dessert was a few gluten-free lollipops with some green tea.

Thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it. I'm really finding this overwhelming right now, and feel really bad that all my symptoms haven't disappeared after around two-and-a-half weeks gluten-free -- at least I think I was gluten-free, but I was still buying a few gluten-free products made on machinery which also processes wheat. I've recently stopped. Do you know if it's normal to experience really bad bloating still after two-and-a-half weeks?

[TestyTommy]

Hi Nikki,

Welcome to the Boards. You'll find lots of good info here. I'll try to give you my perspective on your questions as best I can:

Be patient. How long it takes you to heal will depend on things like how long you were undiagnosed and how old you are. But pretty much all of us experience significant healing in the first few months of being gluten-free. Also be patient in learning about gluten-free foods. I've been gluten-free for about 2.5 years, and I remember getting really frustrated the first few months because I kept finding gluten in unexpected places! I'm still finding it hidden today!

I'll echo what other have said about keeping your diet simple early-on. Meat, rice, veggies and potatoes isn't very exciting, but when you think about it, it's about the healthiest diet you can eat. After a few months when you start feeling better, slowly introduce other foods. By introducing them slowly and individually, it's easier to identify the foods you may be reacting to. You may find that you are allergic to some fruits and veggies, too.

Others have mentioned 'leaky gut'. Lots of us celiacs literally have holes in our intestines, which leads to developing allergies against foods -- usually the ones you ate alot before we were diagnosed. I know that I was very sensitive to dairy, so I just quit eating it completely. Now I can eat it without noticeable symptoms. I'm still wary about it, though, and I don't eat much dairy. I really don't miss it, now that I'm used to avoiding it.

My understanding is that celiacs' reaction to dairy has nothing to do with lactose intolerance, so Lactaid will not do any good.

I avoid any foods that could be contaminated with gluten. Lots of us have noticed that we seem to get MORE sensitive to gluten after we've been gluten-free for a few years. For instance, in the past few months, I've noticed reactions to Lays' chips and dried fruit (both processed on lines with gluten). Personally, I stay away from anything that I have any suspicion of. There's a thread on this board about FOODS, and it has lots of information on other peoples' experience with specific brands of foods. I've found it very valuable in tracking down hidden gluten. For instance, I don't eat rice cakes, but I remember reading that some brands may be cross-contaminated, so you might want to check that out.

I love flax oil, too. I use it on cooked vegetables in place of butter -- delicious! One thing to keep in mind about flax oil is that it's very perishable. Keep it in the frig and NEVER heat it -- it is NOT a cooking oil!

I hope this helps --- good luck!

[JNBunnie1]

Thanks for your response. It sounds like you've really thought this through. I know everyone is different, but may I ask what a typical day's menu would be, because perhaps I could learn something from you. Today I had papaya, avocado on a rice cake, banana, free-range salt-free turkey on a few more rice cakes, with a hardboiled egg, and some beets, half a potato, and a small amount of broccoli. May I ask if that sounds balanced to you? My dessert was a few gluten-free lollipops with some green tea.

Thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it. I'm really finding this overwhelming right now, and feel really bad that all my symptoms haven't disappeared after around two-and-a-half weeks gluten-free -- at least I think I was gluten-free, but I was still buying a few gluten-free products made on machinery which also processes wheat. I've recently stopped. Do you know if it's normal to experience really bad bloating still after two-and-a-half weeks?

Darlin, you're doing great! It took me over a year for all my symptoms to completely resolve, and my stomach is still touchy sometimes. If the bloating is bothering you, try getting some 100% cranberry juice and I make a cocktail with just a little OJ and plain seltzer. There's also a lot of good cleansing Yogi teas that would be a good idea for you to have once in a while.

As for your diet, it sounds very good! I would try and get a little more protein in there, your body needs a lot of building blocks right now. And eat whenever you're hungry, you are not on a weight loss diet right now, ok? You have to get better before you worry about stuff like that. The avocado is good, it has lots of good stuff, and the free range turkey is great, I would try adding in some chicken and beef as well. Larabars are el cheapo at Trader Joe's also, they're good for on the run. Another good snack is sliced apples with almond butter. I wouldn't go too crazy with peanut butter right now, I did that and made my body mad at it.