Processed cheese?

Bifcus16 · Post by **Bifcus16** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:01 pm

Over the last few months I have been experimenting with eating dairy. Very cautiously to start with, but gradually getting braver as I haven't experienced anything worse than a slight softening of my stools (which can have other causes anyway).

So, over Christmas I indulged in some desserts with a spoonful of cream - no problems. A little bit of parmesan cheese in a pesto - no problems. Then on boxing day I had a slice of my brothers heavily processed low fat cheese in a omelette. Big mistake -3 days of classic watery D started about 30 hours later. Once that cleared, I tried leftover Christmas pud with a spoonful of cream - again no problems. So I am blaming the processed cheese.

My question is why would the processed cheese cause such a reaction when other dairy products don't? I have been able to eat a far bigger portion of yummy camembert or blue cheese on earlier occasions without problems. Based on timings, I am pretty sure I have the culprit, but would love to know why. Do the processed ones have more casein or something?

Lyn

Matthew · Post by **Matthew** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:22 pm

Happy New Year LYn

Many proccessed cheeses contain carigeenen that is a problem for many of us.

Hope this helps.

Love

Matthew

Post by **tex** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 1:39 am

Lyn,

Matthew may be on the right track, that the problem was due to carrageenan or possibly some other ingredient in the cheese, because there is very little difference in the protein content of most low fat cheeses, and other cheeses. In fact, a low fat cheese such as cottage cheese, usually has slightly less protein than blue cheese, for example, which means that it contains less casein, rather than more. Low fat cheeses sometimes contain fat replacers. A peek at the label would probably offer a valuable clue.

Tex

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:33 am

Hi Lyn,

Perhaps you have more of a problem with lactose (the milk sugar) rather than casein (the milk protein).
All cheeses contain some casein, but AGED cheeses (over 6 months aged) have lost their lactose. Processed cheeses are aged none or little, so have lots more lactose - maybe this is the problem.

I can't remember if you had the stool test for casein or if you found the problem by trial and error.
Either way, some (like Tex) who initially couldn't tolerate casein later found that they could.

Wish that would happen with me. Sigh.

Love,

Polly

Bifcus16 · Post by **Bifcus16** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 11:58 pm

Great answers, thanks Tex, Matthew and Polly,

I will have to experiment a bit more with this - and find out what brand it was so I can check the ingredients. I haven't previously noticed a reaction to carrageenen - but it could be more concentrated than I am used to, since that is not in very many things that I eat.

Trial and error showed up my dairy problems - very clearly. A couple of years ago I tried lactose free dairy products and they caused a reaction, so I haven't tried them since. Time to reconsider, I guess.

Soooo.... today I tried some lactose free yogurt at lunchtime. I'll know tomorrow night if it is going to cause problems.

Lyn
PS: Haven't had yogurt for about two and a half years. It still tasted the same as I remember.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed Jan 06, 2010 6:34 pm

Polly

as usual every time i review the discussions on this site i gain valuable information
the advice about mature cheeses

All cheeses contain some casein, but AGED cheeses (over 6 months aged) have lost their lactose. Processed cheeses are aged none or little, so have lots more lactose - maybe this is the problem.

I am doing a happy dance at my work desk (and my work colleagues think i am slightly crazy). One of my favourite foods was an australian product called mersey valley vintage crumbly, it has been my favourite cheese for 10 years or more
reading the information means that i can treat myself to some of this, especially when socialising with friends
i have been tolerating lactose free milk in smallish quantities so as long as i dont go overboard.....

this has made my day!
thanks MC family

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 3:59 pm

Hi Gabes!

I am thrilled for you! I miss cheese more than anything. Unfortunately, I have a full dairy intolerance so can't eat the aged cheeses. I even tried goat and sheep cheese, but alas, no luck. Please keep us posted on your progress. Good luck!

Love,

Polly

Bifcus16 · Post by **Bifcus16** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 4:29 pm

And I am pleased to report no reaction to the lactose free yogurt.

Next step is to try something with lactose and see how that goes. Milk just seems so..... unappetising.... after all this time. Maybe a decaf cappuccino. I'd like to find out where the line is now - it has clearly moved.

Interesting what can happen once the gut has healed a bit.

Lyn

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Thu Jan 07, 2010 5:03 pm

Thanks Polly.....

I think it is great that we can celebrate our food wins with the MC family, and vent our frustration and grieve the foods lost.....
i will wait another few weeks to try the vintage cheese, and ensure that my digestion is working better. I am diligently taking zinc liquid and golden seal liquid to get the cells healed. my panda eyes are starting to fade.

Lyn - Congratulations on the lactose free yogurt.

how our lives have changed! i think it is hilarious how the smallest things re tolerating a type of food can feel like the biggest achievement equivalent to hiking a mountain!

have a great weekend everyone