How I live with lactose intolerance

I suffered from nosebleeds, but most notably I got irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and consequently lactose intolerance.

It is a painful intolerance to have, and a few days ago I suffered a bad reaction after I took a risk and ate two milk chocolate biscuits, which reminded me why I avoid all milk products. Chocolate or milk is just not worth having your stomach churning, or have shooting pains. Trust me.

When I was younger I used to drink milk by the gallon! My cousin once commented that I would not only have my share, but everyone else's too!

Going dairy free wasn't something that came naturally to me.

Three years later, and I have learnt how to live with being lactose intolerant, although at times I do test it, and wanted to share what I do and how I cope with it.

Find your triggers

If you are not sure what your triggers are, keep a food diary and test it out. I did this by getting rid of one type of food for around two weeks to see if it made any kind of difference. By doing this I not only found that I was lactose intolerant but that my body cannot handle caffeine, red onions, and soya based products. A long list I know, but I like to know.

I have also found that if I get a reaction to something, a thin white layer forms on my tongue. So if you do react to something, find out how your body responds, how severe the reaction is, if there's a common pattern in the reaction, and what are you eating.

Yes, doctors do a lot of tests, but they are normally to find out what it isn't, and will often suggest you try and work out what is causing the reaction.

Exercise

I had never been a gym bunny before, but after seeing how diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure runs in my family, I decided to go to the gym regularly. As well as getting fit, I also found that it helped my lactose intolerance and ensured my stomach was healthy and happy.

Be Selective

I am really picky with what I eat now, I have to be, you never know what might contain dairy. Even bread can contain milk, something I didn't know before. Make sure you check the ingredients.

Find Alternatives

During university, coffee was my best friend, but it gave me palpations, anxiety, and hot flushes. As a result I no longer have caffeine, but have peppermint tea instead. Not only do I like the taste but it helps to digest my meal, ensures I do not get spots, and if I'm having a reaction to something I've eaten, I find it helps to soothe it. Peppermint tea is my lifesaver and I don't know what I would do without it!

I can't have milk, but I can have coconut milk. I can't have caffeine, but I can have herbal teas. I can't have chocolate, but I can have cacao nibs. Basically if you can't have something, there is an alternative you can have, and is ofteb better for you too.

Think of the Positive

It sucks when you cannot have something that everyone else can, but you have to think of the positives of this. Not having dairy ensures my skin is clear, and means that I eat less fat, two positives for sure.

If I hadn't become so severely lactose intolerant, I wouldn't have discovered some of the amazing restaurants in Birmingham, I would not have found vegan dessert recipes, and I wouldn't have been able to review restaurants from my unique point of view.

Are you lactose intolerant? Is there anything you would add?

You can read more from Tasha on her blog Nutella Tasha and follow her on Twitter @Nutella_Tasha