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[babypink2807]

Having to battle the Meno and also Crohns is a rough one but I am always open to looking at ways I can improve on what I have

So I went to see a nutritionist discussed a lot. A week running up to the appointment I had to keep a record of everything I ate and drank.  I also had to complete a 14 page questionnaire. What had a good chat, and she is writing to my GP to test me for celiac disease. In addition to that I am having tests done for good and bad bacteria in my gut

So whilst that is being organised, I have two weeks to go on a dairy free diet.  Tomorrow she will be sending me a diet plan for two weeks which she said will be difficult but need to ascertain if I feel better for it and she believes there is a high possibility of an underlying issue running up to my Crohns development

It may also dependent on the results, result on being gluten free as well.  She said its possible and I can eat well

Has anyone been gluten free?  Has anyone been dairy free, or both?  Is it difficult, is it ok, did you feel any different, has it helped?

[Joyce]

I'm dairy free as I'm lactose intolerant. I've adjusted to not eating dairy fairly well, though I do miss a decent piece of cheese at times. It's not so bad these days, but took a while of looking at labels with a fine tooth comb, as you need to check for derivatives of dairy, such as whey.  Also need to keep checking stuff you've had before as sure as fate manufacturer will "improve" something by adding dairy.

Now I've no personal experience of gluten free, but son's GF has to watch how much gluten she takes as too much upsets her stomach.  There are many more products nowadays which are clearly marked "free from" so it is a bit easier. Adjusting recipes isn't too much hassle, you've just got to plan things.

[babypink2807]

She has just sent me a plan and recipies and suggestions its mind boggling

[tiger74]

If you've been diagnosed with Crohns did the diagnostic investigations not include endoscopy which would have picked up coeliac condition? 

I admit to some bias and resentment here.  I was gluten-free until age 18 and, frankly, it was a right pain.  Supposedly diagnosed with coeliac condition soon after I was weaned (early 1960s).   As soon as I left home I challenged this, had a jejunal biopsy - lo and behold, never had coeliac condition.  Since then I have included gluten in my diet and have never looked back.  I know there are a lot of gluten-free products on the market nowadays and food manufacturers and caterers are more clued-up so it's probably 'easier' to be gluten-free.  I just found it a complete nuisance and something that made me feel 'different' from my peers. 

I tried to go dairy-free a while ago.  Not for me either I'm afraid.  I presume, in order to ensure bone health,  your nutritionist included other sources of calcium in your diet plan.

I think it would be a challenge to go completely dairy and gluten-free but if you feel it helps I wish you luck.

[carina]

Hi there
I went dairy free about two years  ago because of a huge flair up of eczema. When I researched late onset of eczema (I was 67 at the time) I could not find much info. so looked at children with eczema and came to the conclusion that I should at least try dairy free.   It was not easy at first but I gradually got the hang of it and rarely make mistakes now. I had huge success and my skin is so much better these days. I was worried about the lack of calcium so added calcium supplements to my diet. Mind you, a lot of the foods  I eat (mainly soya based) say they are calcium enriched.

I combine dairy free with the low residue diet if my colitis is playing up. I sometimes get a bit fed up with it all but the results are definitely worth the effort.

Good luck with it all.

[babypink2807]

ASDA today is going to be a complicated shop!

[Joyce]

You'll be fine. It's just a bit of a pain to start with.  If you find you have to drop dairy from your diet, you will have to take calcium supplements.  Alpro do desserts & yogurts which are quite palatable as is the custard. Never found a dairy free cheese that doesn't make me want to  though. I use fresh coconut milk instead of soya for baking & milky drinks like hot chocolate.

[suzicals]

ASDA today is going to be a complicated shop!

Asda will email you with a full list of their dairy free product if you contact them and tell them what you cant eat.

[Ju Ju]

I had to avoid all wheat products for several years, due to an extreme, but not life threatening reaction. Fortunately, I can now tolerate smaller amounts occasionally, which takes the stress out of eating out to some extent. I have been advised to avoid cow dairy products, along with some other foods, but can tolerate goats and sheep products. I have learnt to read labels automatically (a long list usually means there is a lot of additives). It is easier now as they highlight common allegens. I adapt recipes and now there are some excellent recipe books. My daughter is lactose and egg intolerant, and is a wonderful cook. What a family! Yes it is a nuisance, but it is a relief to know what foods are causing a problem. Why would you want to eat food that makes you ill? It is far more difficult to adapt your diet in order to lose weight.

[Kathleen]

Hello babypink.

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and IBS in 2010 and have been dairy free ever since. I haven't found it to be a problem and I have substituted cows milk for soya milk and now only have soya yoghurt. My Consultant said that hard cheese contains very little, if any lactose but I still avoid it.

There is a lot of interest in gut bacteria at the moment and many scientists are convinced that we can improve our health and fight disease by changing our diet and using the right supplements. There is plenty of information on the internet and lots of research going on so it's an interesting time for everyone but especially those of us with bowel and stomach issues.

Wishing you well and keep us posted about your progress.
Take care.

K.

[CLKD]

Contact the Goat Society as many people are able to tolerate goat milk but not cow products, certainly goat products are sent World wide from the UK.  Children with asthma/exema (sp) are able to eat goat products (if one can get over the sometimes strong smell) 

Most UK supermarkets do a 'free from' range and certainly, e-mailing is a good idea.  Much more relaxed than trying to read small labels on packing!

I have to avoid onions - it could be a hospital visit if I eat any! so have long ago been reading labels …… almost every receipe states "take 1 large onion and chop"  …….. I had cooked onions in something on Thursday, knowingly, and today I was on the loo for ages and ages and ………  ……..

Make a list of what you usually eat; send an e-mail to the companies you shop with and there are societies/groups that have specified recipes!

let us know how you get on

[babypink2807]

A big surprise for me is I love coconut milk, tried it in my tea today and it was lovely.

So got my fruit, veggies, rice cakes, chicken, eggs, water, lemons and limes to sweeten my water, seeds, nuts.  It's going to be a challenge but I'm looking forward to it.  Also evening primrose oil and Bio D drops twice a day

[CLKD]

Lemon nor limes will sweeten much ! particularly not water.

I LOVE coconut milk, either from a can or sliced off a hydrated pat!

[babypink2807]

One can but try!

[honeybun]

Did the hospital not help you sort out your diet. It's a pity that you have had to go privately after all you have been through. Actually I think it's shocking that the NHS has not helped you.


Honeyb
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