I did not do much with that information, except change my
diet to incorporate less processed food, and more grains, vegetables, and use meat
as a condiment in recipes. That change got me off the prescriptions. I still
ate ice cream, yogurt, and cheese with abandon. I seriously and most
definitely love cheese.
It’s only in the last year that I switched to drinking soy,
almond, rice, or coconut milk largely due to the Silk to Milk Challenge and buying milk alternatives for less thanks to my coupon database.
I didn’t realize how much better I felt until late December
when after several lactose free weeks due to traveling and such, I ate brie
during a Lazy Budget Chef wine review. Later that evening I felt like I had a
gut full of fire because of the cheese.
DRAT!!!
I’m fortunate that this isn’t a life threatening food
allergy. I’m learning that I can tolerate some foods with lactose more than
others. I’m also discovering that lactose can sneak into food that isn’t dairy
based like the turkey lunch meat in my refrigerator right now. Aw, man I have to
give up sandwiches too?!
Lunches are going to be the hardest part of this exercise.
On the days I don’t heat up leftovers for lunch, I make a sandwich. I don’t
have a lot of time to cook a real lunch. I need something quick.
I could use your help one this one. I need food ideas and
recipes, particularly lunches. My lunches are a little boring and less filling
than they used to be – which leads to extra snacking and that’s something I
want to avoid too.
My boys and I are almost lactose-free as well, none of us can drink cow's milk but can have a bit of yogurt, cheese, etc. However, my youngest and I have bad allergies and dairy makes them worse so I avoid it as much as I can, not to mention all the hormones put in regular cow's milk. Instead of cheese in my sandwiches I like to add guacamole, hummus, or red pepper spread (from Trader Joe's), depending on the sandwich.
ReplyDeleteIf it's really lactose intolerance and not an allergy to milk, you can take OTC lactase enzyme pills. They are very inexpensive and give your gut the enzymes you need to digest lactose.
ReplyDeleteIf it's actually an allergy then the pills won't help.
I have the enzyme pills and take them as needed, like when I go to Blissdom and have little control over the food provided for us. I'm still trying to avoid it though while I figure out exactly what I can and cannot tolerate and how often.
DeleteI also take lactase pills because I just can't imagine life without chocolate...or cheese! I take the Digestive Advantage pills that can be found at most pharmacies and grocery stores. I drink almond milk which is yummy. Good luck!
DeleteIf you want sandwiches, I can recommend all the different kinds of vegetable spreads. I know that Germany has a lot of them and other countries don't (the Netherlands don't have as many), but if you find some, check out the ingredients. I have four favourites and they go very well on bread -yummy.
ReplyDeleteAlso find a local butcher who makes the Salami himself. I cannot buy the sandwich meat in the supermarket but the one from the local butcher is only meat and herbs (or nuts) and tastes divine! Also: hummus.
Sonja
For quick easy lunches I like a baked potato. I can take it to work and cook in the microwave. I use irish potatoes or sweet potatoes, finding both good this way. We also like them sometimes for a simple supper. I like to top mine with avocado or sauteed onions and peppers. My SO likes to add a little grilled chicken or sausage which he keeps on hand to add to his servings of my vegetarian cooking.
ReplyDeleteWe don't use butter on our sandwiches at all and haven't for years, we often use nothing in it's place or hommus, you don't notice at all. My mother-in-law said she could not ever eat a sandwich without margarine while she was eating a salad sandwich without margarine or butter on it. Couldn't say much after that.
ReplyDeleteWe will cook a whole chook and break it up and use on lunches for a few days so nothing else added in the meat. Also tinned fish like salmon if you like fish.
Lots of salad sandwiches, stick with whole foods and add your own seasoning.
I find if I eat too much wheat I feel yuk but seem to tolerate small amounts and not too often, love fresh bread out of the oven. Also try not to have to much dairy too for the same reason. I do find it tiring to be good all the time and thinking about what I am eating all the time so I am currently bader than I should be :D
Good luck with it :)