Lactose Intolerance on SB Diet
 

Good morning. I hope someone here might have some answers for me. My doctor recommended I try the South Beach Diet. I've read through and decided that this would probably be a good lifestyle change for me because I have many health problems. Among them are rheumatoid arthritis, glaucoma, cataracts, irritable bowel syndrome, reflux, & lactose intolerance. (I'll be turning 30 in June.) The part about cutting out unhealthy carbs will be awesome for my RA. But, I haven't seen anything in this diet about cutting out my specific milk substitutes. It's very clear on regular milk products, though. It mentions the lactose sugar in most milk products, but obviously I don't consume products w/this sugar. Also, in phase one it says to cut out milk products; but, isn't ricotta cheese a milk product? That's the dessert they suggest for the entire phase one! Please help answer my questions if you are able. TIA! ~ "pooky"

That ricotta cheese dessert is AWESOME. And yes, it's a milk product. But you can buy Lactaid tablets at the drugstore. You can get them chewable, or just the tablets you swallow. You take them with the first bite of dairy and no tummy aches.

And yes, the bad carbs going away will help immensely with your RA. I've had it for 5 years. When I do strict Atkins, my RA is almost completely in hiding. When not, ick.

Thanks. :-) I do have to take a lactase enzyme when I absolutely cannot avoid eating a dairy product. But, I guess my main concern is... hmmm, I'm trying to figure out a way to word this so I come across. Okay. You know how the diet requires you to cut out MOST dairy in the first phase? Well, does that include milk substitutes? For example: I consume a 100% lactose free, fat-free milk produced by McArthur Dairies. Do I need to cut it out for the first phase? It doesn't mention anything about lactose free stuff in the books I've gotten. Can I substitute the cheeses they suggest w/a lactose free cheese? Stuff like that is what I'm finding the most deterring. Thanks!

I don't see why you can't substitute with the lactose free cheese.

The one thing I have found about ANY diet plan, is that you have to sometimes modify it to meet your needs. I say go for it!

As far as the dairy product, if you can do without it for a week or so, then I would give it a go.