Okay, so you all remember my post from a few days ago about the failed girls night out? I had to leave Bri’s house before getting to enjoy chocolate cake and peanut butter pie?
Ya, well, that piece of forfeited dessert was nothing compared to this.
On Alana’s twelve-week birthday (Monday), I got a call from the Pediatrician. Alana had some tests run, and well, one of them came back positive. I waited with baited breath to hear what was wrong. I was informed that Alana tested positive for a milk protein allergy.
Now, I didn’t know what milk proteins were, but I assure you, hearing the work “milk” and “allergy” in the same sentence sent me into immediate food-deprivation panic. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that I was about to be told to cut DAIRY products from their diet.
Cheese, wonderful cheese. And my skim milk with cereal. And my once-daily yogurt. And ice cream. And…
And…
Cutting dairy products was just the tip of the iceberg.
I had no idea, until doing some research over the past few days, how many products for American consumption actually contain milk proteins, either in trace amounts or in abundance.
I was explained that, different from lactose intolerance (in which the body cannot fully digest the sugars in milk), a milk protein allergy is actually an immune system response; an intolerance to either whey, or casein, or both.
Whey is in almost everything, I have since learned.
I can eat fresh fruits and vegetables. I can eat salads (without any type of cheese, of course). I can eat unprocessed meats. And…oh wait…that’s about it. Rich found this incredibly helpful article for me, so if any of you have the same issue, or are just interested about the topic, check it out!
The Pediatrician (whom I loved prior to this phone call
) sighed, and said, “Well, if you continue to breastfeed, it is going to be a labor of love.” And with that, we hung up.
And for those of you wondering, yes, I am going to stick it out! I will learn a ton, and for a short time, at least, be one of those high-maintenance people who have to know all of the ingredients in everything they eat! Alana may outgrow her allergy soon, but we will have to wait and see!
And now, I am off to Starbucks to comfort myself with a decaf Caramel Macchiato made with Soy Milk.
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