We've cut out dairy and she's exhausted!

[Geordiebabe85]

I posted last week about my 3.5 yo bring diagnosed with dairy allergy. We've been dairy free for about 10 days now and she's EXHAUSTED. Does anyone know if this is normal?

I don't eat dairy and it hasn't impacted my energy levels, is she eating enough calcium and vitamins?
Have you got a nutrition expert helping you with her diet that you can ask?
Have you swapped dairy items for non dairy versions or have you just cut dairy out and not replaced it with anything? The reason I ask is dairy and soya allergies sometimes go hand in hand so if you've swapped dairy milk for soya milk for example, it might be the cause.
Dairy products can make up a surprising amount of calories in a diet so if you've cut them out/swapped for lower calorie dairy free options then she might not be getting enough energy from the food? I lost weight inadvertently when I first cut dairy out.

When I cut out dairy, as advised just like your DD, I actually felt as though I had more energy.

Not only do you have to replace the calcium as mentioned above but the fat and protein. This should be fairly easy to replace though with good fats like olive oil or oily fish which she can have twice a week.

What has the dietician advised and what guidance were you given? Was she also tested for vitamin levels?

Thank you for the replies. We haven't seen a dietician. I'll ask for a referral.
I've replaced butter and milk with vegan equivalents but she's not keen on them!

Which alternatives are you using? I wouldn’t use soya as lots of children with cmpa are also allergic to soya.

I would be asking for blood tests. Both my kids have dairy allergies and were borderline anaemic and needed iron supplements on top of their multivitamin.

Hey, I can be very dangerous to just cut out a whole food group and can actually make the allergy worst. I would definitely speak with your Gp and get a referral to an allergy specialist (or may private if this is an option)

Definitely see a dietician, your GP can refer you. At her age, if you do it properly, there's a good chance of her being able to overcome a dairy allergy.
In terms of substitutes that taste the same though:

• Flora do dairy free marge that is identical to normal marge.
• Oat milk is the most palatable dairy free milk if you like the taste of dairy (and please buy it don't make it, the shop bought ones are fortified with vitamins, especially the ones aimed at little kids).
• Asda and Tesco own brand dairy free soft cheese is really nice.
• own brand or Alpro soy yogurts are nice, the blueberry or strawberry ones in particular. I've had many accidentally eaten by people not realising they're my dairy free yoghurts.

I've been dairy free for years now, if there's any particular product you're struggling to find a nice dairy free version of, feel free to message me. There are loads of excellent substitutes but there are some awful ones too.

Forgot to specify, the wait list for allergy testing in my area is up to 3 years at the moment, but your GP can refer you to a dietician to get advice on safely doing elimination diets. I have friends that have been through this with their little ones and allergies recently.

You need to replace the protein and calories milk and cheese would normally give.

i have no idea but I would think rice and oat milk are much too low in these nutrients and that is why she is exhausted.
check packets and labels to do the sums

That doesn't sound accurate.

It sounds like something else is going on. Humans don't NEED dairy, so living without it (and without all the dairy alternatives) shouldn't cause the issues you've described.

Best see the GP.

But if you suddenly remove say a couple of glasses of dairy milk and the cheese from the lunch time sandwich, and have water to drink instead, and just cucumber in the sandwich you have lost a load of protein and calories.

i am basing this on niece’s friend who went vegan overnight and just ate potatoes and vegetables, for her main meal

and toast and vegan butter for lunch and breakfast, and soon became very tired and lightheaded and was told she needed more protein and calories

this is where a dietitian and some expert advice is needed

Yes, I see what you mean but if the child has a well rounded diet otherwise, which includes nutrient-dense things like nuts, seeds, fish, meat, eggs, wholegrains etc, she won't be missing out. But I suppose we don't know what the rest of the child's diet is like.

I agree, professional advice is needed.

It’s not exhaustion, it’s withdrawal. We aren’t designed to consume cows protein.

Load her up with healthy fats, nut butters, avocados, cashew cheese pasta sauce. The dairy can take 3 weeks to get out of your system.

Thank you so much! She's hated the cheeses I've tried so I'll give those a go.