Since my surgery last January, I have struggled with the consumption of milk. It tastes good for about two sips, then the stomach ache and horrible reaction begins. Like many WLS patients, I have likely become lactose intolerant or at least sensitive. As I have discussed before, I have tried many different forms of "milk" to see what works best. Actually, I am able to tolerate it when mixed with coffee - which my bariatrician says is quite a consistent trend. I am always on the look out for something new to try - to replace or work in the place of milk. My latest "discovery" has been kefir. To quote from the Lifeway Kefir website (www.lifeway.net): "Kefir is a creamy probiotic dairy beverage similar to but distinct from yogurt...each cup contains seven to ten billion CFU’s of 10 strains of bacteria...cultured for 14 to 16 hours, whereas most yogurts are cultured for just 2 to 3 hours."
For more definitions and questions click here. It is 100 calories for a cup, with 14 grams of protein. Therefore, I am able to use about 1/2 to a full cup as my milk serving - with the added benefit of lots of protein. Another strength of kefir has been the inclusion of probiotics. As a mother of a toddler and citizen of the world this time of year - there are a lot of germs and bad bugs floating around - think stomach flu. I like the inclusion of probiotics in a food source, and not having to purchase them separately as a supplement from my local co-op. Also, I have heard many stories about WLS patients having overgrowth of yeast, bad bacteria in their systems - this may truly help with that. But, do your own research - I am neither doctor or healer, it's just my personal opinion. Finally, kefir is 99% lactose free. I have been able to consume it - even early morning - and do not have the horrible bodily reaction I do to milk and other lactose heavy items. Here are some ways I have been consuming it lately:
Kefir Protein Shakes
Chocolate Cherry
1/2 - 3/4 cup plain (unsweetened/original) Kefir (I use Lifeway organic)
2 tsp cocoa power
2 - 3 tbsp Torani Black Cherry Sugar Free Syrup
4 - 5 ice cubes
Blend and enjoy
White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup
1/2 - 3/4 cup plain (unsweetened/original) Kefir (I use Lifeway organic)
1 tbsp Peanut Butter (I use no sugar added - just peanuts, peanut butter)
2 - 3 tbsp Torani White Chocolate Sugar Free Syrup
4 - 5 ice cubes
Blend and enjoy
Chocolate Salted Caramel Frappe
1/2 - 3/4 cup plain (unsweetened/original) Kefir (I use Lifeway organic)
2 tsp cocoa power
2 - 3 tbsp Torani Salted Caramel Sugar Free Syrup
4 - 5 ice cubes
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