Yogurt question

[~inbalance~]

So when I was at the GP the other day and I told her that I had eliminated dairy from my diet due to F's fussiness and possible MPI, she said I could still eat yogurt because how it is processed breaks down the proteins already, or something along those lines.  I've never heard anyone say this before so was just wondering if there was any truth to it. 

[momtonb&ab]

my understanding was that the sugar and/or proteins in dairy are what cause the problems (regardless of how they are broken down), so it would seem to me that yogourt would be included  ??  (insert me scratching my head here, wondering where your gp was going with that)...

interested to see what the experts come to tell you

[~inbalance~]

I know, she has me totally confused too.  She's not our regular GP, ours is on leave and this one is taking over for a year.  She looks like she's literally right out of school.  I don't know if that means she's in on all the newest info, or if she's totally clueless.      I don't see how yogurt can be ok but ALL other diary is off limits, kwim? 

[*Ali*]

I have heard that the lactose in yogurt is broken down by the bacteria so many people with a (mild) intolerance to lactose can still easily digest yogurt. But I thought this was different if someone is actually allergic to the proteins in milk.
Some of the ladies on this thread seem very knowledgeable on the ins and outs maybe they could elaborate:
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=176322.0
HTH

[momtonb&ab]

She looks like she's literally right out of school.  I don't know if that means she's in on all the newest info, or if she's totally clueless.

i have the same problem with our GP (she's new to us since we moved here) ... sometimes i wonder if i should be doing more research before i follow her advice.  it is so hard isn't it?

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

I have heard that the lactose in yogurt is broken down by the bacteria so many people with a (mild) intolerance to lactose can still easily digest yogurt.

That's what I've understood...when I challenged dairy with Spencer, I gave her yogurt, because then I know it probably isn't a reaction to the lactose from not having had dairy for ages and because of the milk proteins themselves.

Personally, I would cut it all out for a time so you know for sure. 

[~inbalance~]

I'm not going to be eating it.  I was just wondering if anyone knew what she was talking about.  I know the difference between lactose intolerance and MPI, but how embarassing for this doctor that she doesn't seem to know! 

[scarlettsmom]

A lot of people will recommend yogurt as possibly ok, even with a milk allergy.  My understanding for the reason why is because the culturing process partially digests the milk protein casein,  and make it easier to absorb/digest.  (think about hypo allergenic formulas - some have soy, or milk in it, but the proteins are broken down so much that an MSPI baby can tolerate it - however, not saying that yogurt is broken down that much, I honestly don't know).  So in theory it's true that yogurt at some level may be tolerated.  Right now I have just started offering some to my DD2 (who just turned 2).  It's pretty much the last step for us before an actual glass of milk. 

That being said, there is no way I would touch it for several months after eliminating it from my diet in order to BF my MPI child (and I didn't have yogurt at all during the 16 months I was on an ED).  That was because she reacted to everything - just the tiniest amount of hidden dairy in a product that I ate would impact her.  So I didn't touch anything until we started challenging later on.

It's a bit irresponsible to just say "yogurt will be fine", but if I understand correctly she was probably referring to it being less of a digestive issue and possibly safe because of the culturing process.

Hope this helps some!   

[~inbalance~]

Tari - makes perfect sense and saves some of the doctor's credibility!    Thanks!!

[deb]

Yep, what Scarlett'sMom said. We can digest yogurt just fine here and other cultured dairy (like kefir), but not all MSPI can. Don't assume it's safe for LO; I'd leave out dairy entirely for a while. Yogurt might be a good "re-entry" food if you're doing a food challenge down the road, before regular dairy.

[First Time Mom]

I second (or, third) what Scarlett's mom said too.

When I was bfing dd I was not able to have any milk product, even trace milk byproduct in a cooked item would end up in having dd's intestines bleed. People with milk protein allergies really cannot tolerate any milk product without serious effects so I am surprised this doctor said this without giving it much thought.

I do wonder if she knows the difference between the protein allergy and a lactose intollerance though I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't. It took us a number of doctors and 2 hospital visits to find out dd's milk protein allergy. One doctor at the hospital even told us that milk protein allergies were "very rare" .

[pamelamcgahon]

GPs are always getting lactose and MSPIs confused!  I took keira as a 'pretend patient' for student doctors exams and the examiner was getting confused about things.  I had to explain which Keira had.  I was told myself by a consultant who diagnosed me as lactose intolerant I could still have yoghurt and some mature cheeses as well due to the process of them being made but when we were sorting Keira's allergies out we were told to stay off all dairy (and soya for us too).  Yoghurt was the first of our recent reintroduction foods though this week!!!

I have to share this:  A student was asked by the examiner ' so she's on a dairy free diet and under the dietician, what would you suggest she does about the future and trying dairy?  He said, ' well, it was obviously an issue so i'd tell her to stay off it til she's 16 or something'.  This was a final year final exam, he could be a gp next year!!!!

[*Ali*]

I have to share this:  A student was asked by the examiner ' so she's on a dairy free diet and under the dietician, what would you suggest she does about the future and trying dairy?  He said, ' well, it was obviously an issue so i'd tell her to stay off it til she's 16 or something'.  This was a final year final exam, he could be a gp next year!!!!

Doh! Not mine I hope...

[scarlettsmom]

I have to share this:  A student was asked by the examiner ' so she's on a dairy free diet and under the dietician, what would you suggest she does about the future and trying dairy?  He said, ' well, it was obviously an issue so i'd tell her to stay off it til she's 16 or something'.  This was a final year final exam, he could be a gp next year!!!!

  . ...although I guess I would prefer that a dr make the mistake in that direction instead of saying she can have all milk products in a week or something...