Dairy (lactose) Free diet

thriftmonster

Ds1 and I are fine with any "trace" products. Teresita, for birthdays you could send in a pack of Jaffa cakes or something that the school can dole out instead. Ds1's PE teacher gives out mini mars sometimes as rewards and when he found out about ds1, he went and got a stash of Haribo as well. The Home Ec department have been brilliant as well, and were full of reassurance even when ds1 opted to do Home Ec for GCSE - it can all be adapted.

Both primary and secondary schools have been very supportive as have Scouts etc when they go camping.

Justamum

thriftmonster wrote: »

Ds1's PE teacher gives out mini mars sometimes as rewards and when he found out about ds1, he went and got a stash of Haribo as well.

My childrens' teachers are the opposite - if they are giving out anything with gelatine in, they make sure they have lollies (chupa chups or something) for mine!

meritaten

argghhh - I am amazed at how many posters have mentioned Haribo sweets for treats! havent any of you read their ingredients list? as i said in my post, my dairy intolerant son was also intolerant to colourings and artificial flavourings. The WORST offenders were Haribo and Maoami along with Pot noodles (previously his favourite treats). Asda do a great line in sweets with NO artificial colourings and flavourings and so do many sweety makers now. a child with any intolerance can develop another intolerance very easily to often eaten (ie craved) foods. you have to be vigilant and if your child suddenly starts eating or asking for one particular thing then SUSPECT an intolerance! I know I sound paranoid, but I learned this the hard way - son at three would eat nothing but yoghurts, tinned chicken supreme, cereals with milk and loved the bright coloured jelly sweets. then he had a life threatening asthma attack. was treated and sent home - of course the first thing he wanted was a chicken supreme.............and ended up back in hospital. this of course made me think of his diet which was almost ALL DAIRY! then began the battle with hospital doctors, nurses, dieticians etc.
and while the post about eggs being dairy made me laugh - it reminded me of the time when I only popped to the loo to come back and find a nurse trying to give my son Ice cream! with a ruddy big notice above his bed NO DAIRY!!, her excuse? well ice cream isnt really dairy is it? silly mare!! oh and another nurse one time was trying to get him to eat spaghetti hoops and I asked her if they were dairy free? she didnt know so asked the ward sister to phone the kitchen. kitchen phoned back and said they checked the tins and they werent dairy free.......they contained cheese powder! and said to thank me for checking because it hadnt occured to them and they had other patients who were dairy free! ??????????????????
the moral of all this wittering? check and double check and never take for granted that something will NOT contain dairy products!

hanb

Hi,

I'm really sorry but I haven't had chance to read everyone’s replies - apparently I’m supposed to do work when I’m in work So I’m really sorry if someone else has already said this - But I just wanted to say that I am unable to eat dairy due to the lactose (as is the case with most people) and found the Lactofree range and I think it's amazing!

It includes whole milk, semi-skimmed milk, hard cheese, soft cheese and yoghurts! All of which taste exactly the same as the real deal because it is - they just take the lactose out. It is slightly more expensive than standard but I don't think it's too bad and for me to be able to have a bowl of cereal or a cheese sandwich it's worth it!

I also find the alpro soya yoghurts are great but I don't like soya milk I’m afraid.

Oat milk is also quite nice but I can only use that on cereal - an oaty cup of tea seems strange to me!

I would definitely recommend trying the Lactofree range - it's made my life so much easier since I discovered it!

If you'd like any more info on being dairy free then please pm me

EstherH

I found out that I was allergic to dairy and eggs amongst other things some time ago now and whilst at first it was really daunting, there are lots of things that can be adapted and swedish glace ice cream is great. Watch out for milk, whey etc in the strangest of places, all labels do need to be read but cooking from scratch, soya, or my preference, oatly milk can be substituted and vitalite margarine in recipes so the whole family can eat the same meals. I use these to make pies, sauces etc and nobody complains. At first I was doing separate meals but you will probably find you all benefit for having less dairy as others have said. Haven't really added anything but hope it helps to know that there are others in a similar situation even though I admit it must be harder when it is a child who has less understanding than an adult.

meritaten

hun, the only reason I mentioned soya milk as substitute for cows milk is because that was ALL that was available to me while son was growing up. I am aware that there are now a few milk substitutes out there and soya milk doesnt suit everyone. you may have to experiment a bit to find the substitute your son enjoys and that doesnt harm him.
It is hard at first, but as other posters have said, you find it second nature to read every label before putting the item into your trolley. also baking or cooking from scratch is required in most cases as ready meals tend to bump up their protien or nutrition content by using whey, cheese or milk protiens. this wont do any harm at all and is actually good for the family! also, lots of salad and fresh veg can only be beneficial and one thing i learned was that my son was brilliant at spotting forbidden foods and refusing them even at age 4 or 5! also make it an adventure to source new foods which he can eat and the whole family can try - It broadened our food horizens considerably when son was young and most members of the family will now try any food!

radiohelen

I think the key here is to take a deep breath and not panic

I've got a load of friends who are dairy intolerant/allergic and life isn't that different for them.

Check your labels - like other posters have said, whey is a beastie that crops up all over the place - crisps?????

Buy in pure sunflower/soya margarine

Buy and try as many different "milk" alternatives as you can - some he'll like - others will taste foul. Everyone's palatte is different. If you know which one he likes it'll be heaps easier to get him to eat it on cereal.

Make your food as natural as possible. Avoid anything with lots of flavourings and colours - anything that has been messed about with and looks nothing like its original self.

Make as much food as you can from scratch. Bread/cakes/biscuits are all easy and he doesn't have to miss out on birthday cake.

Declare him vegan on flights and in restaurants - it's the easiest way of ensuring they haven't whacked a pat of butter in your dinner. Of course if he's epi pen allergic then tell them loud and clear because you can't trust anyone to think for you.

Tell all his friends mums plus your rellies and ask them for help being vigilant. Tell them what he can have rather than lists of things he can't. If you tell someone he can eat Tescos Jaffa cakes they will go out and buy them, tell them he can't eat dairy and they'll panic. Do a sheet for new friends explaining it all.

Good luck with it

HTH

EstherH

Yes, I'd agree with RadioHelen about people being helpful when you tell them what he can eat. I thought my social life was over when I was diagnosed and would never be invited out again but everyone is really helpful and many will buy in what they know I can eat. Others have gone to the trouble of searching out treats for me and looking for helpful websites etc. Once you've talked to the dietician/nutritionist (can't remember which you see) you will have a much better idea, but to be honest by the time I got to talk to her it was just for reassurance. I had already found out plenty and planned out some meals. Do keep us updated.

EstherH

Another thing, I didn't eat in a restraunt for a few months but then for a special occasion, I 'phoned up and asked would it be okay if I took my own 'butter' and 'cream' in. They said ofcourse and the manager said if I let them know what I was allergic to he would sort out a menu for me with the things I could have on.

Teresita_2

Thanks everyone for your fantastic replies. Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you but have been away on holiday. Alot of time to think while away so am now more confident it wont be as bad as I feared. Here is hoping that the appointment at the dietitian comes soon and they can guide me on what he can have.

Am now looking forward to the challenge