FitSugar

Tips For the Lactose Intolerant

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:27:31 PDT

How can a hot slice of ooey-gooey cheese pizza taste so good but make you feel so bad? If you're lactose intolerant, even one bite could have you racing to the bathroom. Here are some tips to help you deal with your dairy-filled world.

If your body can't tolerate any dairy products whatsoever, keep Lactaid pills with you at all times. Lactose intolerance is caused by a lactase deficiency, the enzyme needed to break down the lactose (milk sugar) in your food. If the lactose doesn't get broken down, it causes major bloating, gas, or diarrhea. Just pop a pill with your first bite of food containing dairy, and you're all set. If one pill doesn't offer the magic, take another.
A package of 60 Lactaid brand caplets costs around $15, so if you're going through three or more pills a day, this can be a big expense. Buy them in bulk and save some dough - Kirkland brand costs $16.50 for 180.
If you're not into popping Lactaid pills, avoiding dairy is your best bet, which means being a keen label reader. Look for words such as milk, milk powder, butter, buttermilk, cream, cheese, whey, curds, or milk solids. Hidden lactose can be found in baked goods, dressings, chips, instant soups, candies, pancake mixes, margarine, and even certain medications. If you think a food might have dairy in it, but you're not sure, don't take the chance.

Keep reading for more lactose intolerance tips.

Tips to Having a Dairy-Free Meal When Dining Out

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 03:06:06 PDT

Whether you're avoiding dairy for health or ethics, you can still enjoy dining out at your favorite restaurant. Keep these tips in mind so you don't end up accidentally eating dairy while out or if you're new to a dairy-free lifestyle and want to know what options are available to you.

Breakfast

Pancakes, waffles, and french toast are almost always made using milk, buttermilk, or butter, so avoid these items unless the menu specifically says that they're dairy-free. You may have to skip omelets and other egg dishes since they're often made with milk, have added cheese, or are cooked in butter, but ask your server if the chef can whip them up without dairy. If your meal comes with toast, make sure you specify that you'd like it dry. Home fries tend to be safe, but check with your server to ensure they're cooked in oil instead of butter. Fresh fruit with granola is always an option, and these days, many places offer soy milk in place of cow's milk. Call ahead to find out if that's an option, and if not, ask if you can bring a small container of your own dairy-free beverage.

Appetizers

When ordering soup avoid bisques, chowders, and cream-based flavors such as potato leek, opt for broth-based bowls of miso or vegetable (or meat) stock instead. If you enjoy salad before your main course, ask for vinaigrette or bottles of oil and vinegar. If your server places a bread basket on the table accompanied with the usual butter, ask for a small dish of olive oil. Skip the artichoke dip and choose hummus. If an item has a melted cheese topping such as flat bread pizza or potato skins, just as the server to hold it.

Continue reading for tips concerning lunch, dinner, and dessert.

Lactose Intolerance: Can You Grow Out of It?

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:30:00 PDT

How horrible is it to have to say no to ice cream on a hot Summer day? Unfortunately millions or Americans have to say no to ice cream, milk, yogurt, cheese and any foods containing dairy products because they're lactose intolerant. If you can't have milk, it's because your body doesn't produce the enzyme, lactase, to break down the milk sugar (lactose). So undigested lactose sits in your gut, and causes bloating, gas, and embarrassing trips to the bathroom within 30 minutes to two hours after eating anything containing milk.

So can your body ever grow out of lactose intolerance? To find out

The thing is, if your body reduces the amount of lactase enzyme it produces, then unfortunately it's not likely that regular production will suddenly start to kick in. So although growing out of it is unlikely and there is no cure for lactose intolerance, there are some ways around it. Some may find that if they gradually increase the amount of dairy products they eat, the bacteria in their colons may change and be better able to handle larger quantities. Other folks find that certain dairy products like cheese and yogurt are easier to digest than a glass of milk, and a little trial and error will help them figure out their personal limit. Eating dairy products with other foods may also make products containing milk more tolerable.

For most people though, their only options are to either eliminate dairy products altogether, or to take Lactaid supplements. These miracle pills contain the lactase enzyme your body lacks, so they allow you to eat all the dairy your little heart desires without the cramping or mortifying gas.

Source

Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 01:00:00 PDT

I have little kids and one of them breaks out in hives whenever she eats strawberries. Or I should say, when she used to eat strawberries because the hives just didn't seem like a normal side effect of eating fruit. Are those hives a sign of a food allergy or just a symptom of a food intolerance?

Lucky for me, the Mayo Clinic just answered my question. First off only about 2 percent of American adults and 6 percent of American children have food allergies. Many of us do have adverse reactions to certain foods, but those reactions are only considered allergic reactions if the immune system is involved.

With a food allergy, the immune system mistakenly identifies a specific food or a component of a food as a harmful substance and fights that food culprit by releasing antibodies. The antibodies release histamines and other chemicals into your bloodstream to fight the good fight against this food "enemy". Signs of a food allergy may include:

Tingling in the mouth
Hives
Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat
Wheezing or breathing difficulties
Dizziness or fainting

Lactose intolerance is one example of a food intolerance. People with lactose intolerance lack the enzyme lactase needed to digest milk sugar (lactose) in milk and other dairy products. This inability to break down lactose during digestion may cause diarrhea, gas, bloating and abdominal pain, but doesn't set off the immune system response.

It is important to know the difference, because with an allergy a small amount of the food can trigger a serious allergic reaction. With an intolerance, the body can usually handle a small amount of the food without serious consequences.

Hopefully my little one will "grow out" of her strawberry allergy. Until then, we are sticking to blackberries and raspberries.

What's the Deal with: Sterilized Milk?

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 17:33:14 PST

What is sterilized milk and should we all start filling our pantries with it?

Sterilized milk is homogenized milk heated to 300 degrees for several seconds. Sterilization destroys all germs, enabling the milk to be stored for long periods of time at room temperature.

The instructions to my milk frother machine claim that I should use sterilized milk because it is easier to digest. After some research I found that it does contain less lactose and protein, which could help with people who have issues digesting lactose. It is much darker in color and stronger in flavor (more caramel like) than average milk so beware. While I don't drink it regularly, I do keep some in the pantry (in my emergency coffee kit) because you don't want to see me without my cappuccino in the morning.

Fit's Tip: After opening it, sterilized milk should be stored in the refrigerator.

Milk Does a Body Good???

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 02:30:00 PST

Do you often get a bellyache when you eat or drink foods containing milk? I'm sorry to say, but you may be lactose intolerant.

Lactose is the milk sugar in dairy products. Lactase is the enzyme in your body that breaks down the lactose.

Some people's bodies just don't produce enough of the enzyme to digest the amount of lactose they eat. So when they eat it, they can feel uncomfortable, gassy, bloated or get severe cramps, pains, or diarrhea.

If you think this info might apply to you, there's a simple breath test you can take at your doctor's office. Basically they give you a lactose-loaded beverage and then they monitor the amount of hydrogen in your breath. Don't bother getting the test if you already know how milk affects you.

What's the cure? Sorry folks - there is none. You can either avoid foods containing milk or take Lactaid pills. You can by them over-the counter and they contain the lactase enzyme. Just take a pill with your first bite of dairy-filled food - and you're good to go.

Fit's Tips: Costco sells Lactaid Fast Act Caplets, so if you use them everyday, you might as well buy them in bulk. (90 for $15.29)

5 Healthy and Tasty Lactose-Free Ice Cream Options

Heather Dale — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:48:23 PDT

Got milk? Nowadays it's more like - got something else besides milk? It's estimated that 30 million to 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant. The large population of individuals who fall into this category are unable to digest and metabolize lactose, the sugar found in milk. Although you can find "traditional" dairy products made with ingredients other than cow's milk, it can still be frustrating to find a substitute that tastes just as good. For ice cream addicts, here are some alternatives that I've come across that are easy on the stomach, and on the palate.

Source: Flickr User joyosity

Dairy-Free Ways to Get Your Chocolate Fix

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:29:20 PDT

If dairy products don't sit well with your belly or you choose to eat a vegan diet, then you can still satisfy your chocolate cravings. Although milk chocolate is made with dairy, many dark chocolate products are not. Just be sure to read the label before indulging in any chocolatey treat. I've done the legwork for you and gathered a list of my favorite dessert products and recipes that don't contain a drop of milk, butter, or cream.

Use vegan chocolate chips and whip up a batch of vegan chocolate mouse made with this simple three-ingredient recipe.
Endangered Species makes a few varieties of dairy-free dark chocolate including Dark Chocolate With Cranberries and Almonds, Dark Chocolate With Mint, Dark Chocolate With Blueberries, and Dark Chocolate With Espresso Beans.
Get baking and prepare these decadent vegan brownies made with a secret ingredient: spinach. Top with fresh fruit puree or enjoy it on its own.
If you prefer a crunchy cookie, then bake up a healthier, vegan version of Thin Mints.

See more dairy-free chocolate ideas after the break!

T-Day Tips For the Lactose Intolerant

Heather Dale — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:42:52 PST

Turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, pumpkin pie, oh my! Thanksgiving is not only a time to give thanks and surround yourself with loved ones, but it's also the annual holiday most known for its savory signature dishes. For some, this means gorging on yams, biscuits, and casseroles, but for others the day means worrying about food sensitivities and allergies that can be triggered by basic ingredients in a number of dishes. If you're lactose intolerant, Thanksgiving dinner can be overwhelming since so many delicious food items contain milk and dairy products. Here are some simple tips for surviving Thanksgiving and still indulging like everyone else if you are lactose intolerant.

6 On-the-Go Snacks For Kids With Food Allergies

Lisa Horten — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:46:08 PDT

When your kids' food allergies rule out fast-food stops and airport kiosks as travel-day options, what's a mom to do? "Plan ahead!" says Amie Valpone of The Healthy Apple. Through her clean eating consulting business, Amie helps Manhattan moms come up with manageable, delicious solutions for dealing with food allergies from gluten to lactose intolerance, nut allergies, and more, both on the go and at home. All it takes is a little advance preparation to ensure that everyone stays satisfied and happy, whether your journey takes one hour or six!

Source: Flickr User Martin Cathrae