Lactase Supplement -- Silly Me...

[Monklady123]

So, after I started the gluten-free thing I realized that I was also intolerant to lactose. (thanks to this board, which explained why, and also why I could eat yogurt but not drink milk) -- anyway, I'm hoping I'll be able to add milk back after awhile. But meanwhile I tried lactaid milk. Too sweet. (why it should be sweet if they removing/altering the lactose I don't understand, but whatever...) -- So then I tried almond milk. {gag} -- too thick. Then I tried rice milk. {double-gag}. Can't drink soy milk because my oncologist said no soy, or very little soy.

So I thought I'd have to give up cereal completely, which was sad news with winter coming on (and I had just bought some Gluten-free oatmeal!)

Well... um....why didn't I think to try the lactase supplements? I bought some and they work great! At least for my small bowl of cereal. I'm not going to push it and go drinking a big milkshake or anything like that. But at least I can have my beloved corn chex with banana.

Silly me for not thinking of it right away.

[kayo]

I recently discovered lactose free yogurt and lactose free yogurt cheese. I found the yogurt at Whole Foods and the cheese at Trader Joe's. It's the first cheese (dairy based) I've had in 4 years! It's fantastic. The yogurt is quite good too. The flavored ones are a bit too sweet for me but the plain and vanilla are awesome.

[Katie B]

kayo - what's the name of the lactose-free yogurt? I've been making my own but it would be more convenient to purchase it.

[tictax707]

Monklady - I know you have a happy fix now, but I had one thought: what about almond milk? If you get the unsweetened kind it might be another option as well. (it's the best non-soy option I have found so far for baking, etc.)

Happy Thursday everyone!!

[ravenwoodglass]

I recently discovered lactose free yogurt and lactose free yogurt cheese. I found the yogurt at Whole Foods and the cheese at Trader Joe's. It's the first cheese (dairy based) I've had in 4 years! It's fantastic. The yogurt is quite good too. The flavored ones are a bit too sweet for me but the plain and vanilla are awesome.

Yogurt and hard cheeses like cheddar are naturally lactose free. Hopefully they aren't charging you extra just because they put a lactose free label on them.

[cassP]

i am totally loving the Hemp milk!!! u should try it. and try it for at least 3 days... because the first day i hated it- had a fishy taste like Flax products... but i am NOT LYING to u- it just tastes normal to me now- and better than almond milk- i was totally surprised how my taste buds adapted

[Monklady123]

Tictax, I did try almond milk (mentioned in my original post). Too thick. -- Hemp milk... haven't seen that one. But, as long as the lactase supplements work I think I'll stick with those, because all these other alternatives are more expensive than cow's milk. Plus, this way I just have to buy one thing for the whole family, and I can keep the pills in my purse if I need them when I'm out. Like for an ice cream craving or something. lol...

[i-geek]

Yogurt and hard cheeses like cheddar are naturally lactose free. Hopefully they aren't charging you extra just because they put a lactose free label on them.

Actually, a lot of commercial yogurts aren't fermented long enough for them to be lactose-free. I know I've had problems with some yogurts in the past that were fixed with lactase pills.

Monklady- Organic Valley sells a lactose-free milk that is very good.

[tarnalberry]

The lactose free milk is sweeter because all the lactase enzyme does is split a two-sugar molecule, lactose, into it's two component sugars - glucose and galactose. Those sugars (the glucose in particular) tastes sweeter (activates more "sweet" taste receptors) than lactose does. No difference in the amount of sugar in it, just a difference in how it affects the taste buds. Most people get used to it, but I also never liked the sweetness of it.

[tamika]

Hello! I too have some lactose intolerance and.....lactaid works most of the time. It is really evident though that dairy is definitely a problem. I am trying to eliminate it but it is hard as well. Good luck!!!

[GFshay]

I am a huge advocate for lactase supplements. My doc said they're totally fine to take as much as needed, and they give me lots of much needed protein and calcium. I usually try to cluster my dairy into specific meals or snacks so I'm not popping them all day... but I usually take at least a couple a day. Plus you don't have to worry about weird flavoring or huge expenses for lactose-free products. Very worth it!

The one thing I'm struggling with is whether generic Lactaid is reliably gluten free. I usually get mine from Target. Anyone know if they can verify it?

[cassP]

carrying Lactaid in your purse is a great idea... cause even tho ive got my hemp milk, i totally indulge in ice cream or frozen coffee drinks (even tho i shouldnt)..

im a little confused tho- years ago, i was taking the Lactaid with my dairy... but they only worked like 1/2 the time but then again, i was still eating gluten back then, and i didnt know i had a fructose issue before either

[realmaverick]

I'm hoping I don't ever have an issue with dairy (which I may). If I'm still getting ill gluten free, it would be an avenue to explore.

But damn, I've tried all of the other kids of milk and I literally HATE them. So I'd be screwed. My diet would then consist of about 10 items.

[tarnalberry]

I'm hoping I don't ever have an issue with dairy (which I may). If I'm still getting ill gluten free, it would be an avenue to explore.

But damn, I've tried all of the other kids of milk and I literally HATE them. So I'd be screwed. My diet would then consist of about 10 items.

That means that it would be time to explore more foods to eat.

Keep in mind that different brands of alternative milks taste differently (one brand of hemp milk may be awful, the other acceptable).

And that you may have to explore not just different things to eat, but a different approach to eating. (Ethnic cuisines can be a big help here.)

[tea-and-crumpets]

carrying Lactaid in your purse is a great idea... cause even tho ive got my hemp milk, i totally indulge in ice cream or frozen coffee drinks (even tho i shouldnt)..

im a little confused tho- years ago, i was taking the Lactaid with my dairy... but they only worked like 1/2 the time but then again, i was still eating gluten back then, and i didnt know i had a fructose issue before either

I'm off dairy for now, because I just started with the gluten-free diet, but before I went off I took Lactaid ALL the time. It slowly stopped working for me, too, so I just started taking two of them at a time. It worked.

[mushroom]

I'm off dairy for now, because I just started with the gluten-free diet, but before I went off I took Lactaid ALL the time. It slowly stopped working for me, too, so I just started taking two of them at a time. It worked.

I too initially started off with Lactaid, then another lactase supplement that had more "stuff" in it, and finally I had to give up lactose altogether until a couple of years after gluten free. I guess I had gone too far down the line and had no villi left

[sa1937]

I too initially started off with Lactaid, then another lactase supplement that had more "stuff" in it, and finally I had to give up lactose altogether until a couple of years after gluten free. I guess I had gone too far down the line and had no villi left

Lactaid tablets have never done anything for me. Just curious...what other supplements are available that might be more effective?

I can tolerate Lactaid milk and Breyers lactose-free ice cream without a problem but then I really don't consume much of either one.

[i-geek]

I too initially started off with Lactaid, then another lactase supplement that had more "stuff" in it, and finally I had to give up lactose altogether until a couple of years after gluten free. I guess I had gone too far down the line and had no villi left

Yep. Right before going gluten-free I would take two or three extra-strength lactase supplements, eat about 1/4 cup ice cream, and regret it for the next couple of hours. It took several months before I could manage ice cream again with just one lactaid and no illness.