Alternatives to dairy

[byatt]

I have been taking control of my diabtetes since May of this year. I was diagnosed about 5 years ago and various life events have prevented me dealing with this in a sensible manner.

I have through trial and error, and through this wonderful site, been able to pin point certain foods that cause me problems. Now I discover, that I cannot tolerate dairy products. Which is a huge disappointment as I'm beginning to think I have very little options left to enjoy food!

A small amount of skimmed milk seems OK, but I have changed to soya which I DO like, but what about alternatives for cheese and desserts? Are there any and are they low in sugars?

 

[Spiral]

People who cannot tolerate cow's milk dairy can sometimes tolerate other forms of milk, especially goat. A friend of mine has found her very sensitive (skin problems) daughter can cope with goat products (milk, butter, cheese and yoghurt). There is also sheeps milk, yoghurt and cheese.

I also understand there is a lactose free milk available that many people tolerate and which is sold in many supermarkets.

You may have to shop around for these, but Waitrose often has all the above.

You might also want to explore soy products. You can get various different types of soya milk and cream, but as a diabetic you'd need to make sure it is a no added sugar product. The differnt manufacturers products taste a little differnt, so it may be worth experimenting with different brands. You can get small cartons to try in some health/whole food shops.

Earlier this year I had a brief dalliance with dairy free, as we were considering going dairy free at the suggestion of a doctor who saw my (non-vegetarian) dyspraxic son. He suggested that it may benefit his concentration abilities by being dairy free for a while, before reintroducing foods to see their effect. In the end we didn't do this because of my diabetes diagnosis.

There are other non-dairy "milk" products on the market. I particualrly liked the oat milk and rice milk. Unfortunatly, both of these products sent my blood sugar through the roof :| There is also an almond milk that I have not yet tried, but plan to have ago with soon.

I had this for a (very) late breakfast this morning - out of one of Rose Elliot's low carb veggie books, she calls it Fabulous Frapuccino. I teasp of decent quality instant coffee, 1 scoop of soya protien isolate powder, 150ml water (although I replaced the water with soya milk), 55g tofu, 2 tablesp soya cream, sweetener of your choice to taste. Whizz it all up together until smooth and creamy, drink it staight away. Only 1.7 carbs if you use the water and just over 2 if you use soya milk, high protien tho... It was really nice.

 

[byatt]

Thanks Spiral! Actually the goat products might be a good idea. I do like goat butter and cheese, so I could try those...

Where would I get the soya protein isolate powder? Health shops? The frappuccino sounds yum!

Fortunately I do like soya milk which I use in my porridge which I tolerate really well.

I miss desserts. I know the soya yoghurts can be high in sugars but did spot online that there is a natural soy yoghurt which would work.

My daughter is autistic and I tried various approaches with dairy and wheat, but as she became older it got harder to do because when she was at school her friends would give her their lunches as they felt sorry for her!!

I feel somewhat more optimistic now, as goat products might be the answer! So thank you.

 

[Spiral]

You can try H&B for the soy protein isolate powder, but I got mine at a local independent health food shop. There are various brands and various flavours with varying amounts of carbs, but I got a plain unflavoured one, which also turned out to be the most cost effective.

There are loads of low carb desserts that qualify as vegan. Do a search on low carb websites.

I suspect the bigger issue for you might be sweetener :| Someone I know who has a couple of kids on the autistic spectrum avoids artificial sweeteners like the plague.

 

[byatt]

Thank you.

I don't usually use sweeteners of any kind because I hate the taste and avoid anything with sweeteners, though having said that I was trying a chocolate drink recently, out of desperation, that has sweeteners because I love chocolate and hoped it would help my chocolate fix, but found I was unwell after a few days although I was only drinking one a day.

Thanks again.

 

[Spiral]

How are you coping with your need for a chocolate fix? Since I cut the carbs my taste buds have changed and I find a lot of things I used to enjoy are simply too sweet.

However, I have discovered proper chocolate Green and Black's 70% is wonderful and slightly bitter. Marks and Spencer have this divine 70% Swiss chocolate, they also do wrapped discs of this choclate with only 1.7 carbs per disc. G&B also have an 85% chcolate, whicc I have bought because I felt I owed it too myself to sample it and Lindt even do a 90% choclate, which has a pleasant taste but slightly powdery texture.

I'd like you to understand that all this testing has been out of a sense of duty towards my fellow diabetics. I wouldn't want you to put yourselves in harms way. So long as I limit myself to only a couple of squares maximum it does not have an unacceptable impact on my blood sugar readings.

I also found a chocolate cake recipe that uses almond flour, butter (or marg), egg and melted chocolate and sweetener and is made in the microwave. I adapted the recipe the second time I made it and used 50% chocolate instead of the 70% as an alternative to the sweetener.

 

[byatt]

I went to bed! :lol:

I agree about many things being too sweet now, and I don't eat a large bar of the popular milk chocolate anymore! But, to satisfy my 'need' for chocolate I have a very small, say 4 squares of a very small bar of non popular chocolate, or 2 chocolate fingers. I tried the Options as I said, but not a good idea for me.

I will however try the chocs you mention as I don't want to waste your 'testing'

Chocolate is the only thing I really miss in the sweetness stuff; I don't smoke or drink, but I do eat chocolate!!

Love the sound of the chocolate cake, will give it a try!!!!

 

[hanadr]

Spiral
thank you for your sacrificial act in tasting all that chocolate. 8)
Have you a LIDL store near you. their 74% chocolate is delicious and very inexpensive compared with G&B
Also I found some G&B in the 99p store a few months ago, right next to the Macanuts :shock:

 

[Spiral]

Spiral
thank you for your sacrificial act in tasting all that chocolate. 8)
Have you a LIDL store near you. their 74% chocolate is delicious and very inexpensive compared with G&B
Also I found some G&B in the 99p store a few months ago, right next to the Macanuts :shock:

It was hard work, but someone had to do it.

For anyone concerned about my welfare, some of this testing was carried out at work and my non-diabetic colleagues assisted with the excess.

I did try the Lidl chocolate, but did not find I liked the taste as much as the G&B and the M&S. The M&S Swiss has a wonderful texture.

FYI, I have also tried the higher chocolate Coop fairtrade chocolates and decided I didn't like them as much as the G&B, slightly powdery texture and slightly blander taste.