Dairy out of my regular food intake

[JakeK]

I have a mental condition called Asperger's, which isn't like Autism, but is similar to it. For more info, refer to this page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergers

Anyway, my mom read that a child with full-out Autism showed signifgant signs in daily life by not eating dairy-based products. My mom did not believe this, and when a friend of her's whose Autistic child had dairy removed from the daily food consumption and found it true.

Here's the trouble...one week ago, my mom took me off dairy. I've been craving it (last night, I woke up wanting a glass of milk), but my mom says I've been doing better in everyday life. I love milk, it's been my drink since I was born!

[jps]

Sorry to hear about this, Jake.

Maybe this could work

[cjj]

Man, that would be tough, no dairy. Does that include all dairy, such as cheese? That would really suck. I've always said, if you can't put cheese on it, it's almost not worth eating!

Too bad you're not old enough to drink beer, I find that a really good replacement for milk, but, while it goes good with pizza, it's not really a suitable replacement for the cheese.

[kiramdear]

Bummer, dude!

Wheat and sugar, OK, but milk? Say it ain't so.

Some of the soy milk substitutes are a pale but acceptable substitute. Could only be temporory, too. I've had to give up coffee, wheat, sugar for my pain therapy. Sometimes I cheat but I don't notice it getting any worse when I do. Still, orders are orders. It's worth it to see if it helps.

[captsandwich]

I haven't drank milk since I was about six. Hate the taste of it (although I went thorugh a chocolate milk phase a couple of years ago). I don't think I could make it without cheese, though.
And Kira, a day without coffee is like a day without breathing. I don't know how you do it. About the only time I get headaches is when I don't get my morning coffee.

[kiramdear]

And Kira, a day without coffee is like a day without breathing. I don't know how you do it. About the only time I get headaches is when I don't get my morning coffee.

Yeah that was the toughie. Like I said, sometimes I cheat . But I found some nice Chai tea that I like. And I go get Mexican Cokes from the store in the mornings. But that's cheating too.

The main thing is when I cheat, I just cheat a little and I get so much bang after holding out. Coffee's a rush when you're not accustomed to it

[beatlefreak]

Jake, you might try one of the soy milk products (like Silk). They've come a long way towards improving the taste of substitutes, and you might find a product that will curb your craving.

[johnallg]

Jake, give it a try for a while. Besides, in a few years beer makes a good milk substitute. Seriously, let it have time to be proven one way or the other for you.

[collin]

Anyway, my mom read that a child with full-out Autism showed signifgant signs in daily life by not eating dairy-based products. My mom did not believe this, and when a friend of her's whose Autistic child had dairy removed from the daily food consumption and found it true.

I found it to be a total wives tale. Depends on the person, depends on their level of autism. My little brother is autistic, but pretty severely, and we tried every "miracle" remedy you can think of to alleviate the situation, including this one....nope.

Good luck though. If I had to live without ice cream, I'd probably drown myself..

[beatlefreak]

If I had to live without ice cream, I'd probably drown myself..

In ice cream?

[antipodean]

Jake,

You aren't alone my friend. My younger son, Cameron who is 11, has Aspeger's Syndrome and an associated anxiety disorder. In addition to a very small dose of prescribed medication, his regime includes:

- No artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives. The preservatives in soft drinks like coke are a major no-no;
- Fish oil supplements (yummy!) to increase omega 3 intake;
- Minimal processed food. The vast majority of our meals are prepared from fresh ingredients.

There's a lot of mixed messages about the consumption of casein from dairy and gluten (mainly wheat products) as contributors to disorders such as Apsrerger's. It would appear that in a number of cases, there is a benefit in dietary restriction, but no benefit in other cases. If you family see a positive change in your condition, it is probably worth giving it a go for a month or so at least. A lot of successful dietary treatment is the result of a bit of experimentation, and you know there won't be any serious long-term damage caused by a month of milk deprivation.

On the cravings... I'd like to recommend soy products - they have a huge range of health benefits - but they are an acquired taste, to say the least. There's no harm in trying, though!

[antipodean]

If I had to live without ice cream, I'd probably drown myself..

In ice cream?

What a way to go!

[wints]

Dairy products cause many allergies and problems. I suffered chronic nasal drip as a child that disappeared when I cut diary out of my diet. It is a known agent for inflammation of the joints, and a major factor in arthritis. Cut it out, or dramatically reduce your consumption, and see how good you feel.

Soy milk is excellent in my humble, and I don't go near normal milk. However, as an estrogen bearing food, soy intake, especially in isolate form should be limited, and high isoflavone intake discouraged. Two people I know who had breast cancer had to stop soy intake immediately. Be careful...

Follow a diet with plenty of fruit and veg, olive oil, and, possibly the most important...red wine....

Disclaimer~ Last item personal preference, and only to those over 18....

[antipodean]

Dairy products cause many allergies and problems. I suffered chronic nasal drip as a child that disappeared when I cut diary out of my diet. It is a known agent for inflammation of the joints, and a major factor in arthritis. Cut it out, or dramatically reduce your consumption, and see how good you feel.

Soy milk is excellent in my humble, and I don't go near normal milk. However, as an estrogen bearing food, soy intake, especially in isolate form should be limited, and high isoflavone intake discouraged. Two people I know who had breast cancer had to stop soy intake immediately. Be careful...

Follow a diet with plenty of fruit and veg, olive oil, and, possibly the most important...red wine....

Disclaimer~ Last item personal preference, and only to those over 18....

Red wine has benefits due to grape-seed content! Apparently researchers in Melbourne have confirmed that grape seed retards Alzheimer's in mice, though how they measure this, I can't say. In addition to the potential long-term brain function benefits, I find the short-term side-effects of red wine to be rather enjoyable!

On Soy, I restrict myself to one serving a day. Soy consumption reduces low-density lipids, the stuff that clogs up your arteries... that's where my interest in the stuff lies...

[rickenbrother]

I've had to significantly cut down on anything with calcium, so I rarely drink milk anymore. I do miss it alot. I'm glad I enjoy coffee and tea without milk. Having pizza once a week is about what I try to limit my consumption of a food with a high calcium content to. Occasionally I cheat a little more.