Vitamins - Cow's Milk Free Diet

[Eve]

Much as I'm not a usual vitamin taker, save for folic acid when on methotrexate and vitamin D for a deficiency - towards the end of the course of them now though, I have been put on a cow's milk free diet today by the hospital to help with gastro issues.

I got myself a general multivitamin today but should that be sufficient to keep my calcium levels topped up? I don't want to risk my bones getting any weakness with my arthritis and other issues and medication.

Thanks.

[boxtops]

I take glucosamine and choindroitin compound to guard against arthritis (having seen my mum's osteoarthritis, I'd like to try to avoid that) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucosamine

[woofgang]

If you have got hospital advice about your diet, why not ask them about taking a calcium and vit d supplement?

[Eve]

I'm already on vitamin D via rheumatology as I have a recurring deficiency so that is being monitored.

I've got an appointment there next week so will ask about it then, see if they have any views on it.

Didn't think to ask earlier, think my head was swimming a bit as we went through a number of diets and was given leaflets for this one and low fibre and we are looking at allergy related foods (I have oral allergy syndrome) to try and work out what else I need to exclude.

Was a bit diet'd out!

[237SJ]

You could always switch to calcium fortified soy or almond milk rather than taking a pill that is full of vitamins that you might already be getting from other sources.

[Eve]

That is a good idea. I think almond is on my list of allergy things but can get fortified soya milk. Don't think the one I picked up yesterday is but will get some fortified stuff once I've finished this carton.

[Rosetta]

Would you be allowed goats milk. I have used unsweetened soya milk in the past, quite nice on instant porridge

[Eve]

Yes, just not cow's milk. I am trying to work out the best soya milk as some of it is sweetened with apple and apple is one of the things I've shown up as allergic too. Should be ok as processed though.

Never tried goats milk - so difficult to know as I'm wary of buying a whole thing of it then not liking it and having to throw it away.

I don't mind soya milk, I had it in coffee when out a lot anyway. Cereal wise, it depends, on ones like Special K it's quite nice though not so much on things like Rice Krispies.

Think Special K is now on the banned list, apparently has some milk in it? I had changed to Rice Krispies anyway as lower fibre and lower calories/fat etc... but nice to have it as a treat when on offer as it's so expensive.

[Rosetta]

I prefer the unsweetened soya milk anyway, but then I don't have a sweet tooth. I havent used sugar in tea or coffee since my teens back in the mists of time so sweetened soya milk would be yuk for me

[Eve]

I have cut down on sugar in hot drinks a lot. It doesn't bother me with coffee but I find it hard to drink tea without sugar though I don't put loads in.

I was next to someone some weeks ago and they must have put about 6 sugars in the smallish hot drink they had, I have a sweet tooth but urgh!

[Scarlett]

Eve, what tests did you have to discover you were allergic to things like apple etc?

[Eve]

I was referred by pre-op to immunology before I had my gallbladder out as they wanted to see if I was allergic to latex as I have reactions to some things (usually fruits, nut and such) and they did a load of tests, I was really impressed!

Came out with no latex allergy and a list of things I'm allergic to and another diagnosis (oral allergy syndrome)! Good to know though.

They did both blood tests and skin prick tests. Covered various fruit, nuts, grass, trees, cat, horse hair etc...