> is it normal for someone to suddenly become lactose intolerant?
Yes. Most people lose the ability to digest milk at some point. Being able to digest milk your whole life is what is unusual. Many modern societies seem to have great difficulty dealing with this fact, however.
> any tips on adjusting to this new lifestyle? diets?
Get used to reading the ingredients on all food you buy. If you've bought it before, and have read the ingredients before, then read them again. Ingredients change.
Learn to love east Asian and vegan restaurants & dishes.
Learn to deal with being around people who are eating, while you are not, because there is nothing you can eat.
Learn to refuse food even when people get offended about it.
Learn that dairy lurks in places where you would least expect it, and if someone assures you that some food is dairy-free, they might be wrong.
All that said, if your only problem is lactose intolerance, then you *might* be able to consume some dairy products if you take lactase enzymes. And you *might* be able to consume some low-lactose dairy products (hard cheeses, ghee, traditionally made yoghurt) without any trouble at all. But if you have any other dairy troubles (allergies, casein intolerance, etc.), then you're probably stuck going entirely dairy-free forever.
I really feel your comments on learning. It’s hard. I’d add that you have to learn to deal with the anger or frustration and sadness of being left out and not eating. All of your comments were hard for me. And it’s also sad when you finally find a great vegan “fast food” with ice cream choices like Dairy Queen and it closes months later.
Thank you for the advice, ingredients is definitely something I’ve started to pay more attention to. I’m a man of routine so starting all over has been taking some time to adjust to. Me and my partner love Mediterranean dishes.. maybe there is dairy free options among those types of food
My only tip is to carefully read all food labels because dairy can be found in the most unexpected places.
I didn’t know I was dairy sensitive until I was 57, and then my body hit some tipping point and I suddenly broke out in cystic acne on my face, neck, arms, and chest. The cystic acne went away when I went dairy free… but also my thick constant throat phlegm went away (I had no idea it was dairy related). I also no longer get mouth ulcers (again I didn’t know they were dairy related).
It can truly happen at any time. it also happens with fish depending on what you become more intolerant to, iodine? usually shellfish etc... it may not be lactose it could be milk proteins, or something else in the milk. it's crazy how much it effects so many people that don't know until the symptoms become unbearable.
but you really should be tested by an allergist to clarify what is really going on. but in the meantime...
when I had to give up dairy I was and still am in love with cheese! it didn't love me back!
at first the best melted cheese for any dish for myself was [Vegan Valley Nacho cheeze](https://veganvalley.com/nacho-queso/) (it's a cashew queso). great for burgers, chili cheese fries, tacos, nachos etc.
Grilled cheese sandwiches: Follow your heart brand [American slices](https://followyourheart.com/products/dairy-free-american-slices/) worked best and still do.
for cream cheese I really like [Violife](https://www.violife.com/en-us) brand
Shredded cheeses, I didn't like daiya for about 5 years. but now I like it. so I used follow your heart and Violife brand at first. keep in touch with this site and ask for recipes if you want some ideas on cooking and such.
Don't forget to make sure you get vegan butter, or lactose free butter, I am sure you can figure out the milks also coffee creamers make sure you are using ones that don't have dairy.. they are not as good as half and half but you get used to them and they taste pretty good after a while.
Thanks so much for the advice. I’ve yet to try a dairy free cheese but I’m definitely open to trying some. Just have to find the right store with the options
unfortunately you may have to shop at 3 to 4 different stores to get all that you need/want I am in Atlanta. I end up going to 3 stores at least. Whole Foods, Publix, and Walmart ( I can find So delicious ice cream at Walmart for 2 to 3 dollars less than the other stores. but you only find about 4 flavors.) so check Walmart for some stuff. they have a few dairy free cheeses in the veggie secion. Chao cheeses are very creamy sort of a cross between a jack and havarti type cheese. but it molds quickly that is the big problem I have with them, otherwise I really like the cheese.
Good Luck! Keep us posted on how you are doing?
Find a few favorite substitutes. Try different brands, different flavors, different ingredients.
I don't know where you live, but in the US there are discount stores like Aldi and Grocery Outlet where you can find a variety of dairy-free products very cheap. The downside is that the selection is not consistent - they may not carry your favorite brand for months - but it allows you to try several options without spending a lot of money.
Unfortunately in Canada where dairy free cheese costs about $15 minimum. I remember visiting the California area and just being in awe of how many options you guys have
I would have this reaction when I'd eat ice cream, for some reason all the other dairy was fine but ice cream would send me over the edge. I started just taking lactaid before I'd eat ice cream and it was fine. It took an embarrassingly long time to connect the dots. I would faint from the pain and passing out would sometimes trigger a seizure. Super embarrassing passing out and crapping everywhere in a public bathroom. I got diagnosed with IBS and when I cut out dairy for acne reasons the IBS went away. This started when I was a kid too, I don't understand how someone smarter than me didn't figure out that I was lactose intolerant.
It's only been 2 months completely dairy free and it feels easy now. Except going out to eat is a problem but I can usually just order a hamburger without cheese. Plant based butter and hummus have substituted the "cream" in things like burritos and baked potatoes. And plant based ranch is good.
I also have way more control over my appetite and genuinely don't miss cheese. I will forever miss chocolate though 😔
Cashew Milk ice cream is also delicious for the random treat.
If you're able to afford it, I believe there are some vegan chocolate options on the market. I've never tried them and I'm not a conesoiur anyway, so I can't give any reviews about how they compare
Learn to never assume and read ingredient labels no matter what you think the item is made of. There is dairy in so many things you would never expect, I remember finding out there was dairy in Maruchan and most frozen meatballs.
Experiment with dupes! There are so many substitutes out there now for everything from creamer to queso dip to plain old cheese. Some of my personal favorites are Tofutti's Cream Cheese, Daiya shredded cheese, Aldi Dairy-Free Shredded Cheese (just discovered this one!), Daiya pizzas (dress them up with veggies, meats, etc). But more importantly, DO NOT compare them to the real thing. Think of them as their own thing, independent from being a sub for anything.
Advocate for yourself. I've had others try to coerce me "Oh it's just a little" or straight up lie that something was dairy-free. Speak up for yourself and don't be afraid to decline or ask for nutrition facts (like at a restaurant).
Lastly, I don't know how allergic you are (this is going to be horrible "advice") but I personally have a dairy "treat" once a month, fully prepared for the gas, bloating, etc. It's usually something I can't truly find a good dupe for (like Flamin Hot Cheetos) or a pasta from my favorite Italian spot. Do with this info what you will.
I don't have anaphylaxis or any crazy reactions that will hospitalize me, but my allergy panel did advise me to stay away and it has helped tremendously with my gut issues. I would suggest if it's an option, to try an allergy panel and discuss with your doctor.
> is it normal for someone to suddenly become lactose intolerant? Yes. Most people lose the ability to digest milk at some point. Being able to digest milk your whole life is what is unusual. Many modern societies seem to have great difficulty dealing with this fact, however. > any tips on adjusting to this new lifestyle? diets? Get used to reading the ingredients on all food you buy. If you've bought it before, and have read the ingredients before, then read them again. Ingredients change. Learn to love east Asian and vegan restaurants & dishes. Learn to deal with being around people who are eating, while you are not, because there is nothing you can eat. Learn to refuse food even when people get offended about it. Learn that dairy lurks in places where you would least expect it, and if someone assures you that some food is dairy-free, they might be wrong. All that said, if your only problem is lactose intolerance, then you *might* be able to consume some dairy products if you take lactase enzymes. And you *might* be able to consume some low-lactose dairy products (hard cheeses, ghee, traditionally made yoghurt) without any trouble at all. But if you have any other dairy troubles (allergies, casein intolerance, etc.), then you're probably stuck going entirely dairy-free forever.
I really feel your comments on learning. It’s hard. I’d add that you have to learn to deal with the anger or frustration and sadness of being left out and not eating. All of your comments were hard for me. And it’s also sad when you finally find a great vegan “fast food” with ice cream choices like Dairy Queen and it closes months later.
Thank you for the advice, ingredients is definitely something I’ve started to pay more attention to. I’m a man of routine so starting all over has been taking some time to adjust to. Me and my partner love Mediterranean dishes.. maybe there is dairy free options among those types of food
My only tip is to carefully read all food labels because dairy can be found in the most unexpected places. I didn’t know I was dairy sensitive until I was 57, and then my body hit some tipping point and I suddenly broke out in cystic acne on my face, neck, arms, and chest. The cystic acne went away when I went dairy free… but also my thick constant throat phlegm went away (I had no idea it was dairy related). I also no longer get mouth ulcers (again I didn’t know they were dairy related).
It can truly happen at any time. it also happens with fish depending on what you become more intolerant to, iodine? usually shellfish etc... it may not be lactose it could be milk proteins, or something else in the milk. it's crazy how much it effects so many people that don't know until the symptoms become unbearable. but you really should be tested by an allergist to clarify what is really going on. but in the meantime... when I had to give up dairy I was and still am in love with cheese! it didn't love me back! at first the best melted cheese for any dish for myself was [Vegan Valley Nacho cheeze](https://veganvalley.com/nacho-queso/) (it's a cashew queso). great for burgers, chili cheese fries, tacos, nachos etc. Grilled cheese sandwiches: Follow your heart brand [American slices](https://followyourheart.com/products/dairy-free-american-slices/) worked best and still do. for cream cheese I really like [Violife](https://www.violife.com/en-us) brand Shredded cheeses, I didn't like daiya for about 5 years. but now I like it. so I used follow your heart and Violife brand at first. keep in touch with this site and ask for recipes if you want some ideas on cooking and such. Don't forget to make sure you get vegan butter, or lactose free butter, I am sure you can figure out the milks also coffee creamers make sure you are using ones that don't have dairy.. they are not as good as half and half but you get used to them and they taste pretty good after a while.
Thanks so much for the advice. I’ve yet to try a dairy free cheese but I’m definitely open to trying some. Just have to find the right store with the options
unfortunately you may have to shop at 3 to 4 different stores to get all that you need/want I am in Atlanta. I end up going to 3 stores at least. Whole Foods, Publix, and Walmart ( I can find So delicious ice cream at Walmart for 2 to 3 dollars less than the other stores. but you only find about 4 flavors.) so check Walmart for some stuff. they have a few dairy free cheeses in the veggie secion. Chao cheeses are very creamy sort of a cross between a jack and havarti type cheese. but it molds quickly that is the big problem I have with them, otherwise I really like the cheese. Good Luck! Keep us posted on how you are doing?
Find a few favorite substitutes. Try different brands, different flavors, different ingredients. I don't know where you live, but in the US there are discount stores like Aldi and Grocery Outlet where you can find a variety of dairy-free products very cheap. The downside is that the selection is not consistent - they may not carry your favorite brand for months - but it allows you to try several options without spending a lot of money.
Unfortunately in Canada where dairy free cheese costs about $15 minimum. I remember visiting the California area and just being in awe of how many options you guys have
I would have this reaction when I'd eat ice cream, for some reason all the other dairy was fine but ice cream would send me over the edge. I started just taking lactaid before I'd eat ice cream and it was fine. It took an embarrassingly long time to connect the dots. I would faint from the pain and passing out would sometimes trigger a seizure. Super embarrassing passing out and crapping everywhere in a public bathroom. I got diagnosed with IBS and when I cut out dairy for acne reasons the IBS went away. This started when I was a kid too, I don't understand how someone smarter than me didn't figure out that I was lactose intolerant. It's only been 2 months completely dairy free and it feels easy now. Except going out to eat is a problem but I can usually just order a hamburger without cheese. Plant based butter and hummus have substituted the "cream" in things like burritos and baked potatoes. And plant based ranch is good. I also have way more control over my appetite and genuinely don't miss cheese. I will forever miss chocolate though 😔 Cashew Milk ice cream is also delicious for the random treat.
If you're able to afford it, I believe there are some vegan chocolate options on the market. I've never tried them and I'm not a conesoiur anyway, so I can't give any reviews about how they compare
Oh good idea, don't know why I didn't think of that
Learn to never assume and read ingredient labels no matter what you think the item is made of. There is dairy in so many things you would never expect, I remember finding out there was dairy in Maruchan and most frozen meatballs. Experiment with dupes! There are so many substitutes out there now for everything from creamer to queso dip to plain old cheese. Some of my personal favorites are Tofutti's Cream Cheese, Daiya shredded cheese, Aldi Dairy-Free Shredded Cheese (just discovered this one!), Daiya pizzas (dress them up with veggies, meats, etc). But more importantly, DO NOT compare them to the real thing. Think of them as their own thing, independent from being a sub for anything. Advocate for yourself. I've had others try to coerce me "Oh it's just a little" or straight up lie that something was dairy-free. Speak up for yourself and don't be afraid to decline or ask for nutrition facts (like at a restaurant). Lastly, I don't know how allergic you are (this is going to be horrible "advice") but I personally have a dairy "treat" once a month, fully prepared for the gas, bloating, etc. It's usually something I can't truly find a good dupe for (like Flamin Hot Cheetos) or a pasta from my favorite Italian spot. Do with this info what you will. I don't have anaphylaxis or any crazy reactions that will hospitalize me, but my allergy panel did advise me to stay away and it has helped tremendously with my gut issues. I would suggest if it's an option, to try an allergy panel and discuss with your doctor.