I just have to rave about something.

[Courtney]

I'm lactose-intolerant, or so the doctor says. I can eat yogurt and ice cream in moderation, and I can have creamy foods sometimes. Drinking whole glasses of milk makes me absolutely ill, and I've been using 2% milk in my cereal for years now because it doesn't affect me quite as strongly as whole milk. I've noticed that the after taste of milk is what really has me running to the bathroom, so I try to brush my teeth or suck on a mint directly after having any dairy product.

A while back, someone recommended that I try almond milk and I finally worked up the nerve to try it. I bought the unsweetened original flavor (Almond Breeze) and OH MY GOD. I tasted it straight and wasn't a fan. I don't like almonds and the almond taste wasn't to my liking. That's okay - I don't normally drink milk anyway.

I poured it over my Crispix cereal, added a bit of sugar and was thrilled with the taste. With the addition of sugar and cereal, the almond taste goes away. I ate the entire bowl of cereal, drank the milk out of the bowl and waited. No stomach upset. I waited all evening for the cramping, indigestion and nausea, and it never happened.

I'm a definite fan now! I know it's silly to rave about something as minor as a milk alternative, but I'm still in shock that I didn't get ill from it. I don't think it would be good to drink straight, but I'm already dying to try it in oatmeal, tea and recipes that call for milk. I'm thrilled that I can finally have cereal without worrying about getting ill.

 

[mishellyshel]

I have the same problem and so does my son, we couldnt live without Lactaid milk, also Bryers makes a lactose free ice cream. If not I have to take several lactaid pills but it still bothers me. I will have to check out the almond milk too. if you have any other tips please feel free to share.
i also have a yogurt every morning, i think because it has all the good probiotics & other good stuff it doesnt bother me, but milk or cream cheese or heavy cream forget it, i am keeled over in pain almost immediately.
do they sell lactaid in canada??

 

[Courtney]

They do sell lactaid milk in Canada, for something like $5+/carton.

I've found that Biobest Vitality or Activia yogurts work the best for me. I normally get pretty ill from yogurt too, but I haven't had an issue yet with these two brands.

I haven't tried lactose-free ice cream yet, mostly because a small bowl of it doesn't affect me too heavily. Certain brands get me pretty fast though - Breyer's Cookies and Cream makes me sick as a dog from about 3 spoons. I really like Gelato and Italian Ice. It doesn't affect my stomach at all, since it doesn't contain dairy. I found a great brand (the name escapes me) that has the same texture as ice cream, but it completely dairy free. The lemon gelato is my favorite, but the brand also makes mango and chocolate.

Strangely enough, mozzarella cheese doesn't bother me as much as other cheeses. I can eat a fair bit of mozzarella without feeling sick at all, but a single slice of cheddar has me hunched over in the bathroom.

 

[mishellyshel]

yup, that's what i pay! 4.89 for 1/2 gallon & 6 something for the almost gallon plastic container. there are a few new brands on the market, like Smart balance and they have been on sale lately & also some stores have their own brand. I buy the lactaid pills like I have stock in them or something!! they dont always work, but they do take the edge off. I buy the walmart brand or generic so its not too bad.

 

[moon]

I'm not lactose intolerant, but I love almond milk! I particularly like it in oatmeal, but I really enjoy the almond flavor.

I hope you find more uses for it, and enjoy eating "dairy." I would have such a hard time if I couldn't eat dairy - I feel for you guys.

 

[Melissa]

I absolutely have to drink milk.. I literally crave it all the time. But I cannot drink 2% or higher with out having stomach problems. 1% is gassy and Skim milk is perfetly fine for me. I can eat yogurts and icecreams and cheeses.. but heavy creams..thats a bad day. Im not a fan of almond flavors either but I guess I can give it a try and see how it is. I have never heard of it before.

There is a girl at my local drug store that is lactose intolerant and she LOVES this soy icecream. She said its the same texture and flavor as regular icecreams and its awesome. Ill see if next time I see her I ask her again for the name brand.

 

[Courtney]

They do have vanilla and chocolate flavors as well. I found that the almond taste went right away when I poured it over cereal (as plain as Crispix is), but I definitely couldn't imagine drinking it straight, heh.

You'd get along well with my dad, Mel. He ALWAYS has to have a glass or two of milk with a meal. He refuses to drink anything less than whole milk though, and on occasion, I've seen him down a glass of cream in place of milk. He loves anything dairy, and nothing seems to affect him.

 

[eroomlorac]

Have you ever tried soy milk? I can drink regular milk but I prefer to drink soy milk for the soy isoflavinoids (which are good for us, particularly women). I buy the regular and/or the unsweetened. It is delicious! The vanilla is too sweet. I do not like rice milk and I have never tried almond milk. Give soy milk a try, you might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[Essentia]

Rice Milk is also amazing. Yum yum yum. My husband is lactose intolerant so we always have some in the house. I've started using that on my cereal instead just because it tastes like yum.

 

[Courtney]

I can't stomach soy for whatever reason. I'm not sure why, but the last time I tried it, it came right back up with no warning. I might try rice milk though... I've heard it has kind of a chalky after taste. Is that true?

 

[Essentia]

I haven't noticed it. I had more of a chalky taste with soy. You can always go with the vanilla as well. I actually prefer the regular for general stuff, but the vanilla does add a nice taste to some cereals.

 

[djeaton]

A while back, someone recommended that I try almond milk and I finally worked up the nerve to try it. I bought the unsweetened original flavor (Almond Breeze) and OH MY GOD. I tasted it straight and wasn't a fan. I don't like almonds and the almond taste wasn't to my liking. That's okay - I don't normally drink milk anyway.

I poured it over my Crispix cereal, added a bit of sugar and was thrilled with the taste.

Almond milk on cereal is incredible. I love it. Lots better for you than that soy milk too.
D.

 

[aznmexaggie]

I'm lactose intolerant also and have to use Lactaid milk or take lactase pills anytime I have dairy products... which sometimes only alleviates some of the effects. I do love vanilla almond milk though. How about soy milk - have you ever given that a shot? I don't drink any type of milk plain but enjoy these alternatives in cereals on occasion.

 

[mishellyshel]

soy gives me some of the same effects as the milk, but i am definitely going to have to try this almond milk. personally i dont really like milk, except in tea or coffee and the occasional bowl of cereal. i probably have had a glass of milk since i was 8!!

 

[djeaton]

There is stuff (namely herbicides) in genetically engineered soy that causes underweight babies, cancer, decreased life expectancy, and so forth in rats. Google "roundup ready". Probably do the same for Chins. I wouldn't feed it to a chin *or* a person. Almond milk would not have those consequences.

 

[Courtney]

I'm lactose intolerant also and have to use Lactaid milk or take lactase pills anytime I have dairy products... which sometimes only alleviates some of the effects. I do love vanilla almond milk though. How about soy milk - have you ever given that a shot? I don't drink any type of milk plain but enjoy these alternatives in cereals on occasion.

Soy milk goes down and comes right back up. My stomach just doesn't like it.

 

[AlbertaGirl]

I'm lactose intolerant too. I can't deal with ice cream, cheese or milk at all, but I can eat BioBest plain yogurt with no problems. Good thing I like the taste of plain yogurt! I love cheese and ice cream so I go through Lactaid like crazy. I've been using Silk in place of milk and like it quite a bit. I'll have to try the almond milk though - I get quite a bit of soy in my diet as it is.

 

[eroomlorac]

Almond milk on cereal is incredible. I love it. Lots better for you than that soy milk too.
D.

Why do you say almond milk is better for us than soy milk? I am curious and would be willing to try almond milk if this is true.

There is stuff (namely herbicides) in genetically engineered soy that causes underweight babies, cancer, decreased life expectancy, and so forth in rats. Google "roundup ready". Probably do the same for Chins. I wouldn't feed it to a chin *or* a person. Almond milk would not have those consequences.

Silk brand soy milk is NOT made with genetically engineered soybeans.

 

[addictedtochins]

What is almond milk made from?

 

[djeaton]

Why do you say almond milk is better for us than soy milk? I am curious and would be willing to try almond milk if this is true. Silk brand soy milk is NOT made with genetically engineered soybeans.

Something like 80-85% of the soybeans here in the US are genetically "enhanced" to not be killed by Roundup weed killer. It absorbs the chemicals, but doesn't die. This sticks around in the beans. It's hard to get away from now because it produces larger yields at lower costs for the farmers. Most products that use soy now use this. Might have something to do with Silk quietly dropping the "organic" label off their packaging after getting sold to that new owner.