HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Milk and UC

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/29/2008 12:35 PM (GMT 0)

My GI tells me on every visit that food has nothing to do with flares. He says that if it was as simple as that we could tell you to avoid those foods! Maybe true maybe not. I'm sure everyone has a story. But before I developed UC I loved milk. There was nothing better to me in the morning than cereal and milk. But after my last flare almost 2 years go I gave milk up. I always used skim milk. But now I am craving a bowl of cereal and milk.

My question is: Does anyone use skim milk? Does it cause any problems?

Posted 9/29/2008 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
same with me, it was dairy and eggs. but, i later realized i'm also lactose intolerant. it was a slow progression, but now i'm only really able to tolerate cheese without taking lactaid. i can occassionally eat yogurt, but now, i just drink soy milk, tastes just like regular milk to me. but, i haven't drank milk in 9 years now.
Posted 9/29/2008 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
I don't use milk (including skim) b/c it loosens my stools and increases urgency; however, I don't have much trouble with cheese or ice cream, but then again I don't have those everyday.
You could always try skim milk and see what happens. Or jump straight to soy milk.
Posted 9/29/2008 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
I also used to love milk and was a cereal breakfast eater big time before UC.
I was on a business trip all last week. Scared b/c I tapered off prednisone the day before the trip and knew I was going to eat out a lot. Hotel had fruit and cakes and muffins for breakfast and 10:00 breaks and I ate a lot. Then we had huge buffet lunches and 2:30 breaks with cookies and sweets and fruit. then I went out to eat dinner.
I am a huge believer that my UC and back and knee inflamation is related to my diet somehow, and my body and gut was truly tested and passed. The only thing is I ate skim milk and cereal the last day (I waited b/c I was scared of milk and being away from home) then I had a quesadilla at the airport for dinner and sure enough my body started aching and my colon got very tender. Why did I pig out all week then when i had milk and cheese I felt bad. I don't think it was a coincidence.
Posted 9/29/2008 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I seem to be fine with milk in all its forms. When first diagnosed, I tried to avoid milk because I'd heard it was a problem food. Then I had the lab test from Prometheus for lactose intolerance and results said it was highly unlikely I was intolerant, so I went back to my Dairy Girl ways, and things seem to be fine -- no diarrhea or cramping. Just to be safe, I am still limiting intake somewhat by using soymilk in my cereal some days, etc.

If you're really craving some cereal and milk, you should give it a try (on a day when you have some flexibility in your schedule, maybe).
Posted 9/29/2008 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I realized milk was a trigger for me, so I started drinking Lactaid and it doesn't bother me at all.  Tastes just like regular milk when eaten with cereal. 

Posted 9/29/2008 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
I can't have milk or any dairy products anymore without it causing problems. I have switched over to Almond Milk (I just couldn't get past the taste of soy milk, even the flavored ones) and i have been fine with that.
Posted 9/29/2008 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
I love dairy...yum! I drink Lactaid skim milk, just because whole milk sort of grosses me out (too fatty), & I only use milk in cereal or cooking so I may as well save on the calories & fat & go skim. I use it a lot- in cereal, oatmeal, cooking, etc. It never bothers me. I eat ice cream, frozen yogurt, regular yogurt, all with no trouble. The only time dairy bothers me is if I eat too much- by that, I mean eating a big bowl of Haagen Dazs after dinner or something. Just too much food overall. I find the high fat stuff bothers my GI system more than the actual food type, like dairy. I'd definitely give it a try- I am one of those who doesn't believe that food has much to do with IBD.
Posted 9/29/2008 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
I love dairy and it doesn't bother me at all. In fact, when I'm flaring and need less fiber in my food, it's a primary source of protein for me. You can be tested for lactose intolerance, or you can try a little, keep a food diary and see what happens.

Be aware that if you have your skim milk with a high-fiber cereal like bran or shredded wheat, it will be difficult to know whether it's the milk or the fiber causing any problems that may occur.
Posted 9/29/2008 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
I LOVE milk! (Cheese, ice cream, etc) I drink/eat it whenever possible - EXCEPT when I have lots of D or a head cold. Milk products can increase mucous production. Like Judy, I use milk for protien. Also, when I'm flaring and need extra calories, I use milk with Carnation Instant Breakfast. Sometimes even a bit of hard cheese - like cheddar - can calm my very upset tummy. I don't know how...
Posted 9/29/2008 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
I'm absolutely lactose intolerant. I found out in 7th grade (3 before my UC). However prior to my UC I found that I could handle things that were from skim milk better than others. I often wondered if it was because skim milk has less milk sugar in it. I should ask my GI some time...
Since UC I can't tolerate even a little during a flare but now that I'm in remission I can eat cheese and yogurt but never a glass of milk or in cereal. I still drink Lactaid and I really don't mind it. It is a little thicker than 1% (which is what I grew up on) but tastes just fine. When my mom cooks or bakes she'll substitute my milk in the recipe and it tastes the same.
Posted 9/29/2008 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
I do well on Lactaid 100, nonfat or 1% milkfat. It is sold in extra calcium formulas as well as regular. A big blessing because regular milk did give me considerable bloating & gas: yuck! / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 Colazal daily for maintenance of remission)
Posted 9/30/2008 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
I drink Silk religiously (the plain type to cook with, and the vanilla to bake with and mix with shakes).

I also eat Activia yoghurt and I LOVE colby jack cheese. Neither of those give me issues.

Milk is just an afterthought now, since Silk has replaced it. I have also tried Rice Dream, which is just the same to me as Silk, but Silk is cheaper :D
Posted 9/30/2008 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
when I sense my tummy girgling or my bm's are a little too soft because of something I ate (sugar or coffee or chocolate usually)
then I have a bowl of rice krispies and 2%milk and half a banana... I do that for a few days and usually things settle right down... I think if your body is craving something then it needs the vitamins from that food...unless of course it is chocolate then I think that may be just hormonal or a simple craving.
Posted 9/30/2008 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
I drink milk everyday, no problems at all with it. I drink skim milk, 1% & 2% whichever I happened to purchase. Never had a problem with it.
Posted 9/30/2008 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
Three months ago my GI suggested I replace milk with Silk - and to not worry about any cheese or yougart I eat - to reduce the gas problem. That was the best advice I've gotten from him because I've been just about gas free since. The one time I drank a shake I paid for it the following day, so I'm a believer.
Posted 9/30/2008 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I like milk too, always have cereal and milk. Had to switch to Lactaid when diagnosed. Have no problem with that milk.
Posted 9/30/2008 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
I drink milk everyday and have been in remission for over two years so its not a problem for me. Also when I was flaring I didnt notice any problems with it.


Posted 9/30/2008 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
A lot of IBDers become lactose intolerant, you could use lactaid products and see if it helps, if it helps then you probably do have lactose issues, or you could even get a lactose tolerance test done, there are varying degrees of lactose intolerance from mild to severe...luckily the probiotic I use also aids with lactose intolerance issues...I got tested for lactose tolerance because from things I was describing to my GI he suspected lactose may also be an issue and since the symptoms are easily masked by IBD, getting tested is one sure way of knowing.

:)
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply