Vegan - accidental dairy ingestion, lactose intolerant?

Question

Ok I've been vegan for around 3 years. My body sort of reacts badly whenever I have dairy (usually those "hidden ingredients").

For example, I had a bean burrito that was supposedly vegan, but I strongly believe there was cheese in the beans. Reason? Several minutes after I stopped eating it (I didn't finish cause it tasted milk-y) I start feeling my stomach in knots and I feel gassy/bloated (sorry TMI) and overall kind of "yucky".

I am pretty sure it's not because of food poisoning or anything, and this has happened before when I've had "non-dairy" creamer that has dairy in it, etc. etc.

I am wondering if there is anything I can do to alleviate the pain and discomfort in the event of "accidental dairy ingestion." I know prevention is key... After every incident I try even harder to read lables, ask questions, but STILL sometimes this happens.

Thanks for looking, I hope someone has a great suggestion!

gardeniagreen1119:
OMG ibuprofen makes my stomach hurt so bad!! i don't even take it because of that reason. Wow, learn something new every day!! Thanks!

Elizabeth J - that's interesting about the IQ thing. I have a very high IQ, actually. And I consider myself VERY well-educated on certain things (nutrition being one of them). It cracks me up how people who can't even spell half the time are usually the ones saying veg(etari)ans are "wrong" or "unhealthy" or even "STUPID"

lol silly people.

Answer 1

Hey,

Most medicine tabs have lactose in them, again I say MOST! Very scary, they are used for a filler. My partner has very bad seasonal allergies (also vegan) and couldn't take them any more and have to break down and use an otc allergy pill with lactose, his allergies were better but the tummy was bad. He said he could feel when it kicked in, within 30 minutes he was in waves of *yukcy*. We bought him the one pill a day formula to save on the upsets.

What worked for him was LOTS of water, food and ginger tea (even though he hates the stuff).

Also, keep in mind, we both get sick from non-dairy creams, soy icecream, soy whipping cream etc, I think it's our brains and body remembering creaminess as nausea.

Hope you feel better!

Answer 2

I try to flush it out with lots and lots of water and tea and that seems to work pretty well.

But also...

Last week I tweaked my ankle on the treadmill, so I broke down and took a couple of ibuprofen for the ache. My ache went away, but then I started noticing my belly was all bloated and I felt "yucky" as you say. I couldn't figure out what it was. Later I noticed the ibuprofen bottle has lactose listed as one of the inactive ingredients! It was generic Walgreen's brand. I've since noticed that it's in a lot of generic brands. Just thought you might like to know that.

Answer 3

Skully, the evidence doesn't agree with you.

While you're getting a life rather than wasting your time on us "weirdos" who care about our health, the environment, and animals, maybe you should check out some facts:

The higher a person's IQ, the more likely they are to become veg.

Veg(etari)ans live longer than all you gross meat-eaters.

Sorry to intrude with our "cult" of reality.

Answer 4

yeah it's tough the same thing happens to be occasionally.
Have you tried Chewable Papaya Tablets? GNC carries 1 that is good.They are helpful in digesting foods. I'm not sure that a lactose aid as you are looking after the fact not before.

Slainté (to your health)

Answer 5

It should pass over. if you haven t had any milk/dairy products for three years then maybe thats your body adjusting to the change. Drink a glass of cold water and it should help feel a bit more comforting. You could try something like tea as its soothing. Normally i just have a good sleep ands it gone.

Answer 6

Some believe peppermint tea has healing effects, as a result of the menthol that it contains. It is said to ease such problems as irritable bowel syndrome, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headaches and baby colic

Answer 7

You could try taking a Tums or similar type tablet when this happens.

Ginger or anything minty is also good for the tummy.

Answer 8

Well, I apologize for your incidents. But I am to a vegan, and whrn that happens to me, I just take some pepto bismol and I get better pretty quick.

Answer 9

Ginger is supposed to soothe the stomach.

Answer 10

Unnatural diets often have subtle and sudden side effects because the nutrtional balance is always "on the edge" of unhealthy and insufficient. But that's the consequences of the vegan cult.