Lactose free diet

I saw a dietician this morning who I think was useless. I think friends on here are more helpful. She basically told me I have to go on a completely lactose free diet. I half expected that but was hoping it wouldn't be so strict. I then went to the shop there to buy a snack...I couldn't buy a chocolate nor crisps so realised it's going to be so hard!

[Penel]

Hi Sid

You need to plan ahead if you’re going to make a success of the diet!

You can get lactose free chocolate, so you need to research the brands, and find out where you can buy them. You can also get gluten free crisps.

I usually carry any snacks with me (like nuts) if I think I’m likely to need something, but try to keep snacks to a minimum.

If you don’t usually cook from scratch, now is the time to learn.

[Hidden in reply to Penel]

That's what I'm doing now. I'm doing research about what I can and can't have and where I can find things I want to try. It's another bread I really want to find. Mentioned snacks...that's one thing I really have a habit of. Gluten free of only. Finding lactose free is difficult

[Regalbirdy]

Hi,

Don't despair too much on the crisp front. Both Seabrooks and Aldi do several flavours (besides ready salted) that are milk free. Aldi six packs of crisps include prawn cocktail as well as salt + vinegar.

Seabrooks also do milk free S+Vinegar. Recently I've also tried their Lamb and mint flavour - a strange taste experience for a vegetarian!

If you're a car driver, just lock a few packs into the boot of the car for when needs must...

[Hidden in reply to Regalbirdy]

Hi yes il try aldi..I'm quite surprised they do them to be honest! But 👍🏼 in willing to give anything a try

[Regalbirdy]

P.s.

If you live near a Holland and Barrett and don't mind paying a few pence extra, then look out for ten acre crisps. They have a flavour called "when the cheese met the onion" which is certified both gluten and milk free.

[notheydontcare in reply to Regalbirdy]

Interesting. but @ 89p for 40 grms, not a staple. Good reviews though. I do miss organic strong cheddar!!

[Mathri]

If you are, like me, a chocoholic choose the darkest chocolate you can get hold of such as the 85% cocoa bars from Tesco, which cost £1 for a 100g bar. It cannot be guaranteed to be lactose free but milk is not a labelled ingredient and it's probably OK.

Another useful snack for the lactose intolerant is to take with you if you go out a few small squares of mature cheese (not processed cheese, which may contain added milk). In a good mature cheese, all the lactose will have been removed and turned into non-allergenic lactic acid by lactobacteria during the fermentation process.

Just for the record, lacto-free milk is made by a similar process, using enzymes derived from these bacteria.

Good luck.

[notheydontcare in reply to Mathri]

If your problem is lactose this will be OK but it seems my system does not like dairy for some reason and lactose-free still brings probs.

[Peanut31]

Hi SID123.

For a milk substitute I like

oat-ly, this is a lot better in tea and coffee and my gluten free cereals, then others I have tried.

Asda stock it in the long life milk section.

My husband brought me some Moo free chocolate, it was delicious. He found it at a farm shop, but I’ve noticed Sainsbury’s sell it. Either in big bars or small. The chocolate orange, and mint one is nice.

Seabrook crisps salt and vinegar I have.

Bread I have Schar.

If I go out I stick to black coffee now or fruit tea.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[Hidden in reply to Peanut31]

Thanks Peanut31! U have answered the questions so many I've had in my mind!

[notheydontcare in reply to Peanut31]

I too loved Oatly, it certainly has that beautiful creaminess and the creme fresh version is gorgeous. Alas, my guts rebelled! I am having to avoid it for now so that I can heal. May be tempted back in a month or two to see if I can tolerate it.

[benmaise]

Hi Sid . Weight Watchers sweet and sour popcorn is a nice snack. 6 bags in a pack. No Lactose in them. You may not be watching your weight but they are nice.

[Jacks]

The lactofree brand of products is great. They're readily available. I have recently had their new brie cheese - fantastic to get that.

You can get pizza which is gluten and lactose-free too. It's made by Scharr and is in the Free from frozen bit of the supermarket.

If you decide to take lactase enzyme tablets (available in jars) - make sure they are wheat and gluten free. You'd think they would be!

[WobblyCaroline]

It is hard to begin with. I feel for you. I have an extremely limited diet. Make sure it isn’t casein that you need to cut and not just lactose. It is usually the protein in dairy that gluten sensitive/celiac people react to.

[notheydontcare in reply to WobblyCaroline]

That is interesting. I know I get problems with lactose-free kinds of margarine. Strangely, I have tried a small crumb of parmesan and not had noticeable problems but do not want to push it as it takes some time to get back on an even keel.

[Peterkarljohnson]

It’s very hard but so is when u feel lousy after eating or drinking lactose rich meals each day is easier just have faith and keep at eating and drinking better and u will feel better, after all u deserve it! 😀

[Hidden in reply to Peterkarljohnson]

Thanks for that nice reply 👍🏼

[Franjanu]

I've been gluten dairy and egg free for 18 years and now vegan.

it's NOT hard when it makes a world of a difference to your health the animals and environment. And it's very delicious!

There are so many options to buy in the market if you're not ready to self - make. Dairy for one is such an irritant for our gut so try it out for a few weeks at least. Make sure to read labels if you buy processed foods. but limit them too.

check out 200+ free recipes and education tools here coconutandwhat.com

[notheydontcare in reply to Franjanu]

Thank you for the coconutandwhat find. Looks interesting.