Reluctant newly Lactose Intolerant

[Headshaker]

I have enjoyed dairy products all my life, then last month I contracted gastroenteritis that seemed to just go on and on. My doctor suggested I may have developped Secondary Lactose Intolerance but I didn't want to believe her. Ten days later after, with the tests for everything else showing negative, I abstained from dairy products and my cramps and diarrhoea stopped immediately. There was no longer any doubt.

I am now 47 and having to come to terms with what I have. It is all very new and frustrating. I am having to develop completely new eating habits and plan ahead in a world clearly not designed for what I have. I was put on to this forum through a contact at Twitter and to be honest I resent being one of you! However I am determined having moaned and grieved to now get on with it. There are far worse dietary problems and I will count my blessings. I am particularly interested in finding out where I can get my hands on desserts and ready meals as easily as possible.

[Copper]

Welcome to the site.

As your lactose intolerance has only developed after a bout of gastroenteritis there is a chance that it might improve with time.

Ready meals might be a bit tricky. It really is a case of reading ingredient labels. If you go this page on this site you will find a list of alternative names for milk.

http://www.dairyfreeuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=738

Until you are used to these names it is probably a good idea to print the list out and take it to the supermarket.

I have bought Tesco own frozen roast dinner in the past but can't remember which were dairy free. Birds Eye chicken pies are dairy free.

Desserts - there are some soya based desserts which in Tesco are found in the Free From aisle. I am not up to date with them as I have developed an intolerance to soya :angry:. Soya based ice cream is very nice and most supermarkets sell the vanilla flavour. It is called Swedish Glace. Helath food shops sell other flavours.

There are dairy free margarines, Vitalite and Pure. You will have to see which you like. I use Vitalite.

I hope that this helps a bit. I am sure that you will have more questions about food alternatives, so ask away and we will do our best to help.

It does get easier. I loved cheese and after about 18 months I stopped pining for cheese :lol2:

[Headshaker]

Fanx, I will try out Chicken Pie, Vitalite and Swedish Glace for sure. I've already discovered Lactofree Milk, which was a relief as Soya Milk tastes cr*p to me! If any of your readers are on Twitter I have started a thread #Lactoseintolerance. I will REALLY MISS pizza!! I am not happy over the prospect of life without a Goodfellas Meat Feast : (

[Copper]

You might be inspired by some things in the free from aisle of your supermarket. You will need to check the ingredient labels as many seem to be wheat/gluten free rather than dairy free, sigh.

I think there is a soya ready made custard.

Most cakes contain dairy these days but I think Tesco cheap jam tarts are still dairy free. The key is always to check the ingredient labels. A jam tart is a quick pudding for me if I am busy :).

[milkymum]

Hello and welcome to the site. I joinded here not that long ago and have foudn it so welcoming and really rice to be amoung others who are dealing with a dairy free lifestyle. Although for me I can dairy it's my daughter who can't but I have choosen to go diary free when she is about to encourage her and show her that being diary free can still be full of enjoyment and lots of yummy treats

I have used pure but I wouldn't recommended that one as it tastes horrid but I would recommended vitalite and that is also soya free too and reminds me a lot of utterly butterly. I love vitalite on crackers or cracker bread. The lacto-free cheese is also lovely but I have know had to move on to dairy free cheese with my daughter and hopign the new cheese I have bought today tastes just as nice as the lacto-free cheese. If you have a holland and barratt store near you I would go in there and stock up on there provamel desserts as they have them at 99p for a pack of 4 in chocolate, vanilla, caramel and mcoha flavour. My daughter prefers eating these instead of yoghurts and I am normally having to pay £1.59 a pack depending on where I buy them from

[daddys fault]

my kids have pizza without cheese and its not bad. dough, sauce and lots of toppings especially olives. be careful with the dough though cos some contain milk.

[daddys fault]

just saw your other post. we use Pure sunflower as girls cant have soya. we now all use it so it can't be too bad as i can eat whatever i want.

[LaurenJoanna]

if you miss pizza you could try making your own but with a lactose free cheese or a cheese alternative. =) then you can choose exactly what goes on it.
i'm afraid to say sometimes i do just go for it and eat takeaway pizza, and then suffer majorly for it afterwards. i know its not worth the pain afterwards, but you forget it at the time.. lol