Is all dairy created equal?

[aezj]

I completed my 2nd whole 30 2 weeks ago.  Since then, I've reintroduced dairy (cottage cheese and half/half) and corn (tortilla's and actual corn).   All went badly except the corn tortillas.   I'm thinking of introducing butter and possibly some sour cream.   If it gives me the same reaction as the other dairy, I don't even want to chance it.  So I'm curious if all dairy is created equal?  

[Roz Griffiths]

Quite a lot of otherwise dairy sensitive folk can tolerate butter, because it's mostly fat. Also, some people can tolerate raw dairy as it still has all the natural enzymes that make digesting it easier (these are removed by pasteurisation etc.). And some people can tolerate yogurt, again because the natural bacteria in it make digestion easier.

[ginsinnot]

Caveat: I'm by no means an "expert", and I'm sure a moderator will have something more informed to say

 

It depends on what you mean by "equal". If you're referring to effects on blood sugar, pretty much all dairy seems to cause it's own special kind of insulin spike (look up the Dairy Manifesto here on the blog). There seem to be alot of paleo people who prefer whole fat creamer for their coffee...so you might try that instead of half and half.

 

If you're referring to lactose intolerance type issues (bloating, unpleasant bowel effects), then no, it's not equal. A hard, aged cheese will cause fewer of these effects as it has less lactose. Cottage cheese (those are curds) and other soft cheeses will likely cause a lot of problems as they're high in lactose.

 

Yogurt can be different for a lot of people with more mild lactose issues. I'm pretty sure it's because the bacteria in the yogurt have some effect (whether that's inside your guts or in the container before you eat it, I'm not sure, but I think the bacteria eat a large amount of the "milk sugars" ie lactose while they're hanging out).

 

And as you didn't mention what kind of "badly" you had, I'll say too that outside of gut problems with various dairy items, I get sinus problems with some pretty fantastic under-eye circles when I consume any kind of dairy regularly.

 

I was off dairy completely for about 8 years (which also helped me be off many if not all processed junk foods then) due to my Crohns disease. I can tolerate occasional bits now, as in an ice cream or a piece of cheesecake when I really want it. But I do that knowing it's not making me feel healthy.

[pjena]

I agree that all dairy is not necessarily equal.  I can eat the occasional goat cheese, but other cheese gives me a stomach ache.  Yogurt doesn't give me a stomach ache but might make my allergies worse.  I think you just have to try different types separately to find out how you react. 

[aezj]

Thanks! My experience with dairy was purely gut related :/

I've started drinking coffee with coconut oil and ghee so that's an easy solution.

I think I have a lactose issue.

[ginsinnot]

That's a bummer! I know a lot of people can't imagine "life without", but really when you feel so much better, it's not that hard.

 

There's no reason to experiment with something if you don't think you want to eat it.

 

I really didn't miss dairy when I was completely off it for 8 years (okay, I missed it a little, but it made be feel BAD). When I decided to try eating it again, I found that hard aged cheddar was pretty safe and worth it. Butter seemed to be no problem also. But there was no way I could do sour cream, cottage cheese, cream cheese, ice cream, mozzarella, etc. I occasionally now eat something on that list that I know won't sit well, but I do it knowing my schedule and having time to feel badly and deciding to do it anyways.

 

I'll also say that if you have lactose issues, just avoid any "products" that supposedly help (whether it's the lactaid pill or the supposedly lactose free milk/icecream).

[Carlaccini]

I would say - yes definitely give other versions of dairy a chance.  I have come to the conclusion that butter is the only one that's deemed okay in my books but the jury is kind of still out on it.

 

I have a different reaction to pretty much every level of dairy.

 

Milk is far the worst on the stomach reaction.

Cheese has no stomach reaction - but I have skin reactions to this within 6 hours of consumption

Heavy Cream - My body tries to get rid of it as fast as possible. So evacuation proceedures ensues...

Ice Cream - depends..... I've had little to no reaction with some, and full out pain with others.  So the ice cream really needs to be worth it

[aezj]

Update: for me all dairy is the same. Tried dairy again yesterday and it is not good! I would have never guessed is have this reaction prior to whole 30

[aezj]

I not is