Back to dairy free! But I can't have sugar either! Sob!

[Sam]

I was on a dairy and sugar free diet when I was younger as I had terrible allergies which caused constant runny/blocked nose and chesty coughs etc... but it was sooooo difficult (not to mention expensive!) actually being able to eat a variety of products especially ones I crave like chocolate, that I gave up!

I'm now thinking of going back on a dairy and sugar free diet as I have got sick of feeling like I need a lung transplant and I'm prepared to give up my cravings too if it will make me feel better. Does anyone have any tips for coping without sugar and dairy? Anyone else in the same situation?

If you could also let me know where I can find snack type / sweets which are dairy/sugar free and don't taste bad I would be very happy!

Any comment welcome!

Sam :wacko:

[matt]

most health food shops will have a selection of sweets that are sugar free and most will be dairy free. they'll be some which just use sweeteners and others that are concentrated fruit puree etc, the second being healthier.

other option being dried fruit and nuts. this is all far too healthy. i don't have to avoid sugar but do avoid wheat and dairy. the only real advice is get reading the small print and start to make your own stuff. anything processed is going to have sugar or dairy etc. make it with honey instead. or can't you have honey either? why do you have to avoid sugar?

southampton quite good for shops, east street has two. londons going to be full of places to go. local's probably better to start with though.

it's not the end of the world, just feels like it!

[Pam]

D & D chocolates do a Carob bar with no added sugar, I haven't tried that one, but I have tried the Plamil one and I had to spit it out, it was really bitter and not very nice.

Why not just do the dairy free for a while a cut down on sugar so that you are not denying yourself too much in one go? Sugar is my worst enemy and I tend to crave it at times, I've tried cutting down, but then I get the urge and I'm back to square one. It doesn't help that they put it everywhere - bread, cereals, tinned veg etc. Like Matt says, try the fruit chewy bars and cereal bars that have no added sugar, otherwise you're a bit stuck as far as sweets go. You could try diabetic sweets (I think Boots sell them) but they have artificial sweeteners and can cause digestive problems themselves.

[Nic]

There is a range of cookies called Nana's Cookies which is dairy free and refined sugar free (well, they use fruit juice, does that count?). Most of them are also wheat free, though I think those ones aren't as nice!

My favourite is the double chocolate one, with bits of hazlenut. The peanut butter one is also good, though somewhat cloying if you don't have a drink at the same time. I found the cranberry one really yucky, and the oat and raisen one so-so. But the double chocolate is *good*.

I get them at Fresh and Wild, which I know has branches around London. If you're coming in by train from Southampton, there's a Fresh and Wild just outside Clapham Junction station - its just on the right as you go up Lavender Hill, about three minutes walk from the station entrance. Worth stopping off, if you get the chance.

Hope that's vaguely useful.

Nic

[matt]

tempting but not worth the hassle of going to london plus the news!


have the firms a website?

[Broxine]

I was on a dairy free, gluten free and sugar free diet in my early teens but found that I could still make some nice deserts - I'll have to dig out the recipes for you. I'll have a hunt over the weekend and get back to you. :D