Dairy Dilemma

[Brad P]

Hi all

Have had Crohn's for almost 25 years with major drama between 2008 and 2010. But since mid-2010, I've been doing excellent. No real flare-ups or major symptoms. I am still thin but heavier than I have ever been.

The only complaint I have is sinus issues where I am constantly battling phlegm. I have been since mid-2011. I have congestion in my nasal cavities and post-nasal drip. An ENT told me I have a small mucus retention cyst and a partially deviated septum but both things are not enough to cause major problems. Yet I blow, flush, and cough up phlegm on a regular basis. Oddly enough, when I travel for work I notice my nasal cavities open right up at 35,000 ft and the mucus is not bothering me as much. I have no idea why.

Anyway, I have been wondering if dairy is playing a role here. I have read dairy products can make mucus worse due to casein in milk. On the other hand, studies suggest is doesn't play a role at all. But people swear that is not the case. :confused2:

Dairy products make up 800-1000 calories of my daily diet, which is almost 1/3 of my calorie intake. I absolutely NEED dairy products. I drink 2 Ensure shakes a day, high fat yogurt, milk in my cereal, occasional chocolate milk with lunches, cheese etc. I can not think of foods to substitute for dairy, primarily the Ensure shakes I have between meals, that will match in calories. I see my dietitian next month so I'll mention it to him. I also get much needed calcium from dairy.

What do you guys think?

Thanks

 

[Beach]

You might try substituting almond milk or rice milk for a few weeks to see if that helps with the phlegm problem. Many of the milk alternatives are fortified with calcium, and other nutrients, along with being rich in calories.

It is along with what you mention, but recall this older article on a blog I read about a physicians discovery that dairy was causing his phlegm issues.

"My love-hate relationship with dairy products"

http://www.drbriffa.com/2010/04/09/my-love-hate-relationship-with-dairy-products/

 

[nogutsnoglory]

It's quite possible your sinuses are being aggravated by the dairy. Some substitutes include soy, almond, rice, oat milk. Goat milk may not bother you, it's worth trying. There are also some delicious vegan cheeses and ice creams made from nuts or soy.

 

[hbrekkaas]

My mom had that same issue her entire life, until she stopped drinking eating/drinking dairy, and my oldest daughter gets a sore throat/stuffy nose from consuming it.

My youngest daughter was born with a sniffle...seriously. 10 minutes old and she was stuffed up. The docs said it was fine, normal etc. until I ate way too much dairy one day when she was about 3 months old and she screamed for hours. I went off dairy immediately and her nose cleared up within days, and that was just from dairy she was getting through my breast milk.

So yes, diary and nose/phlegm issues can most definitly be related.

 

[kikidee1994]

I wouldn't bover with the rice milk its like tap water I suffer real bad if I have any dairy at all so I would use soyo milk , it does take a little bit to get use to but I love it now and enjoy beening able to sit and have a cup tea !

 

[UnXmas]

I tried going dairy free for a while; it didn't help me but I did find dairy alternatives. I liked both soya and rice milk, although they're very expensive compared to ordinary cows milk.

I would think that lactose intolerance is common enough that there must be dairy free alternatives to Ensure. Have you asked whichever doctor who prescribes you Ensure whether there's a dairy-free alternative?

If you're looking for a dairy-free high calorie food, peanut butter is great for calories, and it's the healthy kind of fat in it too.


Since dairy makes up so much of your diet and you find it hard to maintain a healthy weight, it might be better to wait until you've seen your dietician before attempting to cut it out, or waiting until you've had whatever testing is needed to detect an allergy or lactose intolerance. You wouldn't want to cut a whole food out of your diet if it wasn't necessary.

 

[kel]

Boost Plus is gluten and dairy free. It's generally on the shelf right next to ensure.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I believe boost plus is 3G fiber. I am not sure if that's an issue for you or not but beware.

 

[mickey]

I grew up drinking milk...much milk...and the whole family suffered from sinus/allergy issues. An Eastern doc told me that bad belly can cause bad sinuses and allergies. Balance belly and sinuses get better. Work on balancing the belly (probiotics, digestive enzymes, etc.) and hopefully it will improve. I use Hemp milk, which does have calories in it. You can make your own protein shakes with Hemp milk, chia seeds, fruit, greens, etc., and go as natural as possible. Many of the canned drinks contain soy and other things that may cause a reaction. Good luck!