Non Dairy Help
Martha
mcwh@hereintown.net
05/09/02 		I am a 45, almost 46 year old, female with spine and nerve disease. Per the request of my doctor, after several months of severe intestinal problems, I am need of a non-dairy diet and/or non-dairy diet suppliment.

Thanks.

Mrs. Martha Wilson-Harris

ellen
ellenskitchen2017@gmail.com
05/09/02 		Hi,
It sounds like your doc is hoping that a lactose intolerance is the cause of your tummy aches. This is possible, and you can find out by switching to a lactose free diet for a few weeks and seeing if the problem clears up.
The biggest risk of this change for a woman our age is cutting out dairy while not adding other calcium foods/ supplements, so I suggest you check with your doc and add a good calcium supplement to your daily regimen while you make this change- both bones and nerves require calcium for good function. Check out my page on non-dairy sources of calcium:
http://www.ellenskitchen.com/faqs/calcium.html

If you are in the US, most towns now have at least one store that carries "Silk" a refrigerated lactose free soymilk that is an easy substitute for dairy milk, and tastes nice- you may want to start with vanilla for cereal and drinking, plain for cooking. These can be substituted in pretty much any recipe that calls for milk. Cheese is much harder- the soy, nut, and rice-based substitutes are not the rich melty texture we remember.

If soymilk works for you, there is a great machine to make it at home, the Soyajoy.

Also, Lactaid, available in pharmacies and groceries, is tablet containing an enzyme that really works to decrease the impact of lactose on the system. You take it before eating the meal or food that contains lactose.

At www.vegsource.com, there is a very active recipe board for milk-free recipes, and lots of advice on all kinds of substitutes for milk and cheese dishes. Even if you do not want to give up meat/animal foods as vegans do, it is a great place to visit. Check out the "new veggies" board, the recipes board and the soy board to start with.

Hope this helps. You can email me directly, ellenskitchen2017@gmail.com; I had to cope with the same complaint after radiation therapy 10 years ago- Ellen

Judith Willis
nutrimental@earthlink.net
09/11/02 		Martha,
I would be extremely careful to explore if the doctor belives that you are lactose intollerent versus a true milk protein allergy. If it is the milk protein allergy, you need to be concerned with more than just milk and cheese. I suggest you consult a Registered Dietitian.

Judith Willis, MPH RD CD

Sylvia Koester
skoester@lakeland.k12.in.us
09/18/02 		I am trying to go on a protein high diet - well, it recommends one day a week of high protein - and it uses a protein bar that is whey and casein based. I do not tolerate the milk proteins - and currently have a blazing sinus headache, having eaten a bar before reading the label. Are there any protein bars that are very low carbs not based on milk protein? I have looked through the internet for soy bars - most are high in carbs, too. Thank you!
Sylvia Koester
Debra Refson
jotpad@hotmail.com
11/17/02 		I have the same question as Sylvia re. a non-dairy protein bar. I also try to avoid too much wheat. I leave soon to travel in India and am not able to eat most of the food (too spicy or dairy based). If you have any suggestions of products I can travel with, I would GREATLY appreciate your help.

Thanks very much,
Debra

ellen
ellenskitchen2017@gmail.com
11/20/02 		Sylvia and Debra,

You can make my hunky monkey bar with soy protein or even egg powder as protein sources instead of casein.

As to the traveling, you will find that Indian foods varies a great deal in spiciness. Many are fragrant but not hot. You will always find rice, wonderful beans and greens, hot breads and many roasted meats.

If you are vegetarian, you might consider making and taking vacuum packed baggies of Kal nutritional yeast or other yeast you like, this is the lightest weigh vegan protein source.

Write further what you need. Ellen

Lilian Meade
lcurry@provincialtransport.com
05/08/03 		I am having alot of problems with which I think are bladder problems. Does yogurt cause problems in woman. I get very swelled up and get alot of pain in my right side which feels like a bladder infection but when I stay away from yogurt it seems better. Desperate to find out what or if it could be yogurt. I am now seeing a bladder specialist which is going to lead to alot of tests.
Mary Ann
mrybouch@aol.com
06/27/03 		My son-in-law is lactose intollerent and I am looking for a recipe for a lactose free ice cream recipe, not a sherbert or sorbet. What can be substituted fro cream> Or what can be used to take the lactose out of cream? Any help would be greatly appreciated.