Lactose intolerance dairy free trial

[Dave1000]

In a bid to kick cheese, a major weakness in addition to a test to see if lactose intolerance is causing my severe bloating issues I am going to try initially going one week dairy free. Any tips or practical advise would be greatly appreciated.

[Hidden]

I don't get enough dairy since I don't like cheese or milk. Try distraction when you are tempted. Find an activity you like or exercise. Good luck. I hope you can solve your problem.

[Hidden]

I've been dairy free for over two years now and I still really miss cheese. But I've found I feel so much better without dairy in my diet. I was advised to cut out both dairy and wheat as my stomach was cramping and I was in a lot of discomfort before. I have to warn you one week would not have been enough to see the difference. It took several months before all my symptoms went. But maybe one week will make enough of a difference for you...

My tips are: try black teas and coffees, you never know you may like it. But if you must have milk I found tesco sweetened soya milk the best milk replacement (look in the longlife milk section)

Look at nut-based alternatives too, e.g. almond milk, and cashew butter is great mixed into pasta sauce for a 'mascarpone' effect. I also recommend Engevita Nutritional Yeast - buy it in health food shops - a yeast by-product that does taste a little like cheese! Sprinkle onto pasta or mix into omelettes etc.

Check out the vegan society website for other foods high in calcium. It's not just green leafy veg - chickpeas was a surprising one for me. Fish with the bones e.g. sardines are good too.

Lastly look at traditional cuisines that don't feature so much dairy such as asian, indian and mezze. Or if you're looking for a recipe book, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's book 'Light and easy' is a good place to start. Good luck!