I am hoping this is my last topic, for awhile anyway - but those of you that are casien intolerant - what problems do you have should you eat it by mistake. Our family nurse practitioner has suggested that Bernadette get a skin test, what do you think about that?

Read the thread of B's diet --I just replied to the skin test idea etc.

I believe that the skin prick test will test for allergies to dairy. If you want to know about casein intolerance maybe ask your doctor about possible tests?

When I get into dairy, I usually start getting GI problems within an hour or so.

Casein gives me constipation, mostly. And gas...

Pauliina

We are going to stop all dairy for awhile and see if this helps. What do you suggest we use for a dairy alternative in cooking - but I think she has to have it soy free also. We like to make clam chowder and she adds milk to her meatballs and meat loaf. If you could give me a brand and/or company I will take it to my health food store and see what we can do with it. i THANK YOU ALL for this past week of comments and suggestions. Isn't there something called Vance's Dairyfree or something like that? Has anyone tried that? I can't remember if we have tried it yet or not. Again, thank you all for reading and commenting and helping out. It is very much appreciated. We really don't have money for any of the tests, so I guess we are just gonna do it the way we can.

I use Pacific Foods Rice Milk. It's good in mashed potatoes and things like that. She could use it in her meatballs and meatloaf. Some rice milks, Rice Dream is one, have gluten in them so beware of that. Pacific Foods also has a Vanilla Rice Milk, but I've never tried it.

I'm off all milk and grains and soy at least for awhile. I'm using lots of coconut milk. Just got through making a batch of coconut milk yogurt! Actually, it turns out more like kefir than yogurt, but it is good! I mix a bit of sweetener with it and some lemon juice and it makes an awesome drink!

Bernadette may have to stay away from certain foods like clam chowder for a while...but if she wants to try it--there are several gluten-free rice milks I have used. (no soy or gluten in them). gluten-free ones i know of: pacific (has least favorite taste to me), wild oats rice milk, whole foods rice milk, lundberg rice drink, full circle rice milk
ps--rice dream has barley and almond milk (nut thins brand) has soy in it.

Remember to ck labels--casein/milk can be sneaky. Here are some others words to look for besides milk on labels:
Milk-based Ingredients:
Artificial Butter Flavor
Butter, Butter Fat, Butter Oil
Buttermilk
Casein
Caseinates (ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium)
Cheese
Cream
Cottage Cheese
Curds
Custard
Ghee
Half & Half
Hydrolysates (casein, milk protein, protein, whey, whey protein)
Lactalbumin
Lactalbumin Phosphate
Lactoglobulin
Lactose
Lactulose
Milk (derivative, powder, protein, solids, malted, condensed, evaporated, dry, whole, low-fat, milkfat, non-fat, skimmed, and goat's milk)
Nougat
Pudding
Rennet Casein
Sour Cream, Sour Cream Solids
Sour Milk Solids
Whey (in all forms including sweet, delactosed, protein concentrate)
Yogurt

What about margarine?

We use either Smart Balance with no whey or gluten - we also use a Saffola Brand that we can get at our grocery store. I suppose I will have to call them?

Mr BamBam

I've had very good luck with goat and sheep products. When I first went gluten-free, I eliminated dairy too. Yes, goat and sheep products are more expensive, but the cost is worht it to me. With goat milk / cheese I have no problems with digestion and can enjoy mac & cheese, creamed coffee, cakes, cookies (gluten-free, for me), pizzas (home made). Its made cooking much more enjoyable and I cant even tell you how much more I like eating. Recently, I've been able to start taking in some dairy again. I'm not sure if i have a problem with casin... still working on that one. . . but, in terms of digestion and enjoyment, I HIGHLY reccomend the sheep / goat. Other benefits? Usualy, these products are made organically and entirly without hormones / antibiotics associated with standard dairy.

good luck with the recovery - the hard part is figuring out what works, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.