Re: A liquid/soft diet for the lactose-intolerant

[Guest guest]

LACTAID!!!

That was the answer for me! I don't know where you live however, or

if it is available to you, but you can buy it as either lactose-

reduced or lactose-free milk in all the normal varieties such as low

fat, fat free, whole milk, etc. I think they even have chocolate.

Anyway, after my surgery I was home so my circumstances were a little

different from yours, but I probably drank 1/2 a gallon a day of the

stuff. I did not eat a huge variety of food after my surgery and

probably could have eaten a lot better, but it was the best I could

manage and deal with at the time. (It took me so long to eat that I

needed food that was at least easy to prepare- nothing easier than

pouring a glass of milk and stirring something in with it!) Anyway,

for example- with the mashed potatoes, I just made them with the

lactaid. Also, there are lactaid enzyme supplement pills you can

purchase that are tiny that you can take at the start of any meal

with dairy in it. They should also help unless you are wired and cant

get any pills in there at all.

Two notes about the lactaid- it is horribly expensive. In upstate NY

it is $3.50 for half a gallon. BUT, after drinking a lot of it, I

noticed that the severity of my lactose intolerance went down

significantly. (I knew about Lactaid before my surgery and have been

drinking it for years. I am a huge milk drinker to begin with too.) I

have no idea why this is, but it is simply a phenomenon I've

observed. I could not before, but can now have cheese on a hamburger

or a small serving of ice cream for example without any problem later

and without taking the supplement pills. Before, even this much dairy

would have caused problems. AND the severity of my upset if/when I do

have a reaction because maybe I forgot to take the pill, is hugely

decreased.

Lastly, I couldn't stand the taste of boost alone, so I used the milk

to drown out the taste of it. Or I added carnation instant breakfast

to my milk. I was not usually drinking the milk alone. I lived on a

LOT of milk. Furthermore, I am prone to low blood sugar problems if I

haven't had protein. In the six week period that my diet was very

restricted, I had a low blood sugar problem only once and that was at

work because I had no time to eat. Ok, that's my two cents worth...

Sorry to be verbose!!

I hope this helps! Good luck! Katja

>

> With jaw surgery becoming more of an impending reality (lower adv.

> next winter), I've been getting organized .... I've started a binder

> with all of my braces and surgery info, and I have a growing list of

> items needed and foods on my PDA. In looking at the soft-food diets

> out there, it seems they are very heavy on dairy. Milk is often the

> only protein source listed. Since I'm lactose-intolerant, I have

been

> brainstorming alternatives. Also, I am going to be away from home

for

> my surgery, so I especially need ideas that can be ordered in

> restaurants or easily prepared in a hotel room. I definitely plan to

> order the Zip N Squeeze.

>

> I would love additional suggestions! Here's the list I have so far:

>

> Soup/broth

> Tofu

> Soy milk

> Soy creamer

> Polenta/grits

> Vienna sausages

> Hot dogs (blended)

> Baked potato

> Tiny pasta noodles

> Pasta w/pesto (blended)

> Refried beans

> Black beans (blended)

> Mashed potatoes

> Gravy

> Butter

> Peanut butter (blend w/soymilk and honey)

> Canned mushrooms (blended)

> Odwalla smoothees

> Soy protein powder

> Soy protein drink mixes

> Whey protein isolate

> Mac and real cheese

> Spaghetti squash

> Veggies (blended)

> Fruit

> Avocado

> Grains (quinoa?)

> Soy yogurt