Lactose Intolerant-So Why Does Almond Milk and Coconut Milk Bother Me?

[LodgeLady]

For over 20 years I have avoided milk, ice cream and most milk products( can eat Swiss cheese). Once almond and coconut milk came out I decided to try them. Doesn't matter what brand, sweetened or unsweetened, I get painful cramping and diarrhea 15 minutes after eating them. Why would they bother me if they are not milk products?

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

I'm not quite sure. I tried looking it up to see what I could find. This is all I could find for you. It mentions something about Guar gum being in that milk. I hope this helps some. Good luck.

http://chriskresser.com/3-reasons-why-coconut-milk-may-not-be-your-friend

 

[LodgeLady]

That's one ingredient that keeps getting mentioned but isn't that also in some gluten free bread mixes? I think that is the binder that takes the place of wheat but I could be wrong.

Thanks for your help. I'm hoping this nutritionist I'm to see at my specialist appt. can shed some light on these foods.

 

[gotumtum]

Hi

Just wondering if they are high in FODMAPS? or maybe something to do with the Omega 6 in them?

 

[LodgeLady]

Hi



Just wondering if they are high in FODMAPS? or maybe something to do with the Omega 6 in them?

I am not familiar with FODMAPS. Need to look that up.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Coconut products just do not agree with me, so it's possible you're like that too. I will be nauseous & in pain for days if I eat even a tiny bit of coconut. That wouldn't explain why the almond milk also affected you, though.

I guess it's possible it was carrageenan? Many almond milks contain carrageenan - I obviously don't do coconut but perhaps coconut milk contains it as well. It's an additive that can in some cases cause GI upset in normal/healthy people and can cause us IBD'ers to become even sicker. I can tell you that the Whole Foods store brand and also the Silk brand of almond milks do not contain carrageenan, but most others do contain it.

Otherwise, the only thing I can think is, any milk product or milk substitute is probably going to be a bit high in fat and sugar. Perhaps it was the fat or sugar content that caused you trouble?

 

[LodgeLady]

Coconut products just do not agree with me, so it's possible you're like that too. I will be nauseous & in pain for days if I eat even a tiny bit of coconut. That wouldn't explain why the almond milk also affected you, though.

I guess it's possible it was carrageenan? Many almond milks contain carrageenan - I obviously don't do coconut but perhaps coconut milk contains it as well. It's an additive that can in some cases cause GI upset in normal/healthy people and can cause us IBD'ers to become even sicker. I can tell you that the Whole Foods store brand and also the Silk brand of almond milks do not contain carrageenan, but most others do contain it.

Otherwise, the only thing I can think is, any milk product or milk substitute is probably going to be a bit high in fat and sugar. Perhaps it was the fat or sugar content that caused you trouble?

I am wondering about the sugar even though I've tried unsweetened brands as well . Is sugar a problem for people with Crohns ?

 

[hugh]

might be sugars (fructose in this case?)
-3 reasons why coconut milk may not be your friend
"While fructose malabsorption can cause symptoms in anyone, those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are particularly affected."
http://chriskresser.com/3-reasons-why-coconut-milk-may-not-be-your-friend

could be the additives, not just the sugar
check the labels, we have only one brand of coconut cream available here that is JUST coconut cream ('Ayam').
try making your own almond milk and see if it is ok

-Harmful or Harmless: Guar Gum, Locust Bean Gum, and More
http://chriskresser.com/harmful-or-harmless-guar-gum-locust-bean-gum-and-more
"two participants dropped out due to excessive gas and abdominal discomfort."
"Based on the available research, gum arabic seems pretty benign, even for those with gut issues."
-Harmful or Harmless: Magnesium Stearate
"Overall, I haven’t found scientific evidence to substantiate the claims against magnesium stearate,"
http://chriskresser.com/harmful-or-harmless-magnesium-stearate
-Harmful or Harmless: Soy Lecithin
"The only people who need to make a point of avoiding soy lecithin are those with severe soy allergies or chemical sensitivities, and of course, those who notice that they personally react badly to it."
http://chriskresser.com/harmful-or-harmless-soy-lecithin
-Harmful or Harmless: Carrageenan
"carrageenan has produced intestinal damage in some animal studies."
http://chriskresser.com/harmful-or-harmless-carrageenan
-Harmful or Harmless: Xanthan Gum
"They found xanthan gum to be a “highly efficient laxative,” and subjects experienced greater stool output and gas"
http://chriskresser.com/harmful-or-harmless-xanthan-gum

 

[wild_one353]

sugars, aka disacharides like sucrose and lactose.


read breaking the vicios cycle which explains what the specific carbohydrate diet is.

i have controlled my diarhea by reducing my intake of lactose and sucrose, this is one part of the SCD diet. it really helps. doing this(among other things) with no drugs for 5 years now. but this particularly is the most important part of reducing diarhea symptoms.