Cheese For 1St Time In 3Mos

[Raining Skittles]

So I went off cheese for 3 months to let my intestine heal. I tried a little bit of Swiss cheese yesterday for the first time and had no symptoms. So I tried a little cheddar on a taco and I had a bit of tummy rumbles a few hours later but that was it. I hope this means I can have a little bit of dairy now and then again. I could easily have gone without the cheddar and I'm actually quite used to not eating any dairy now, but I do miss an occasional piece of really good cheese.

Anyone else go back to dairy after being dairy-free? Any suggestions for me?

[Takala]

Take it easy in the beginning, and listen to your gut. I actually had more trouble finding a yogurt I could tolerate, because various different ways of making yogurt uses dry milk as thickeners, and I don't think the lactose was getting processed out by aging. I tried organic yogurts and had the same problem. Finally found a plain greek yogurt that works (ingredients: milk and cultures. that's it). I mostly use the yogurt for baking, or as a sour cream substitute, so there isn't that much of it in a serving. I do better with organic cheeses and butter. Some name brand popular, common cheeses have really set me off in a non gluten type of reaction, I can't imagine what those cows must be putting up with in terms of chemical/antibiotic exposures.

[shadowicewolf]

it could also be that chedder is more "greasy" than swiss is. But it is a hard cheese so lactose shouldn't be an issue in it (very little to none).

[gatita]

I've been easing back into dairy myself and learned a few things. I can do okay with small amounts of hard cheeses AND a chewable Lactaid tablet. I tried going without the tablets and have regretted it every time.

I've also learned that I can't tolerate certain foods even with the tablets. Those include ice cream and most yogurt. Also, the amount I eat in a day seems to be a factor.

[Raining Skittles]

Thanks so much for the replies, everyone! I find my palate is quite attune to the taste of almond and soy milks now and seriously doubt I'll ever go back to cow milk. But I find I've really missed my swiss, brie, extra sharp white cheddar, parmesean, mozzerella and havarti cheeses. Some of those are soft cheeses and I know I may react, so going slowly is definitely the plan.

I'll look into getting some Lactaid tablets to see if they help.

I'm fine with sticking to almond, coconut or soy ice cream and I'm not much of a yogurt fan. I just really miss cheese!

[GFinDC]

Hi Gatita,

Taking pro-biotics may help you digest the dairy better. Since you have been off dairy for a while your gut bacteria may not be used to it. Some multi-strain probiotics may help if that is the issue.

[gatita]

Hi Gatita,

Taking pro-biotics may help you digest the dairy better. Since you have been off dairy for a while your gut bacteria may not be used to it. Some multi-strain probiotics may help if that is the issue.

Thanks... I still don't seem to tolerate probiotics, but as soon as I do, I'll jump on them! I'll look for those multi-strain ones.

RainingSkittles, I SO hear you on the cheese!

[Pegleg84]

good advice on the probiotics. I've also been dairy (cow/goat/and sheep) free for about a year, but missing the cheese. I actually decided to be brave yesterday and had a sample of sheeps milk cheddar from an amazing cheesemaker I used to get stuff from all the time. I had an insta-headache, but haven't noticed any other adverse affects yet. Maybe it's time to give cheese a try (in small amounts)

Do you think digestive enzymes would help too? I definitely won't be going back to drinking cow's milk any time soon, if ever. Almond is good enough for me. But fake cheese just doesn't do it. And if it's not doing any real damage, I think I can handle a little every so often.

Good luck!

Peg

[GFinDC]

The enzymes might help. Certainly if it is lactose intolerance then a lactase enzyme should help. If it is casein intolerance though they may not help at all. I had a bottle of DPP-4 that said it could help digest casein but I never thot it helped. But maybe if would work for someone else.