Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives NSD and diet-related; New to NSD - is non dairy essential?

Greetings. I have been living with AS since about 1989, was diagnosed about 4-5 years ago. I was on Humira but had to go off of it due to side effects (MS - well, lesions on brain and thoracic spine, next MRI will determine if I am out of the woods completely for MS - so far so good).

Decided to try the diet about two months ago. I have not eliminated dairy since I have lost almost 20 lbs already, and I passed out a month ago. I don't really consume a lot of diary, just cheddar cheese with my eggs and a splash of non fat milk in my coffee every day. I just thought I could really use the calories.

I have not seen any real results, but am willing to give it try and continue. Some people seem to have results immediately, for some it can take a while, I gather.

But is eliminating dairy the key to success? Any one on the diet who does not eliminate dairy, and has seen results? The Ebringer low starch diet does not mention eliminating dairy, that is what I first followed until I found this forum.


Thanks in advance for your help.

Some people are intolerant of the lactose or casein in dairy and feel better if they eliminate some or all dairy products, but not everyone has to eliminate dairy. Some people start off with an elimination type diet where they don't eat any of the things that might irritate them and then add them in, but like you I took the more moderate approach a la Ebringer low starch diet.

I still have my yoghurt and milk and cheese and eating low starch still helps me. Not 100% and who knows whether eliminating dairy might help further, but I am still taking meds as well so cope ok normally. (I had a small slice of gluten free brown rice bread on Sunday and am paying for it now.)

Been on nsd for 21 days. I have cheated with soy sauce, coffee, one desperate handful of rice krispys. I've lost more weight and was too thin to begin with. No energy. Eating great , no dairy, started eggs, quality meat, lots of vegis, fruit. Probiotic, clo, bcomplex. Allergic to nuts. Stomach is still bad/loose. Pain/ tightness in lower back had stayed the same. Some days I feel okay. I might need to go back to some starches as I can't afford to lose weight/ energy needed to pay bills. What stops me from going back is the pain, iritis and bloody stools. I'm stuck. My stomach seemed to love oatmeal. I miss that.

Food allergy testing came back showing strong reaction to casein, yogurt! I live yogurt. Doc told me to stop all dairy for a month...

So sorry Jamesdl. I could just about give up milk, but would be a bit lost if I couldn't have my yoghurt with my breakfast. But I guess if you feel better without it, it will be worth it.

On the energy levels, some of us can get away with things like pumpkin, carrots and bananas (ripe, brown spots on skin)- they're not no starch but still quite low starch. And people like "Betty Rawker" have some neat ideas about adding low starch baking, smoothies etc.

matured cheddar is ok for me. milk - even small qtty in my coffee no.

For energy, what about dried fruits ? They're full of energy and quite easy to snack on when you're on the go ! To avoid loosing too much weight remember to eat more good fats: nice slurp of olive oil on your salad, some oily fish, avocados, etc...

if you can handle the high ammount of sugars dried fruits contain why not?

Depends on the dairy... and health of gut.

At firsty I struggled with most dairy other than hard cheeses. Now I can handle organic yogurt with probiotics and ice cream (all natural) as well.

Tim