Stopped drinking milk

[DaveyA]

I started riding the bike again last November. I had previously been running regularly and was fairly fit. I have been going out twice a week with some of my old cycling chums and doing 50 to 60 mile rides. I have really been struggling to get cycling fit, I would be fine until after the dinner stop and then in the afternoon gradually my legs just got heavy and my thighs burned like hell and I suffered all the way home. For a while now I have been experiencing upset stomachs and a general feeling that something was not right, this would usually be after my breakfast which has always included some fresh fruit to start and then some cereals and toast, or porridge if going out on the bike. Last week I decided to leave out the cereals and porridge, so for about four days I have not eaten any. Today was my first time on the bike since, and for breakfast I had some fruit then two boiled eggs with toast. I don't know if this is a coincidence or what but today I felt really good and was still riding strongly (for me) after 55 miles when I got home. Which is how I would be expecting to feel as I have now a few hundred miles under my belt. I just don't know what to think, all I know is that this is the first time during all of my rides that I have finished feeling comfortable and able to pedal with some conviction, it has not been a gradual improvement. I genuinely felt 100% better today, the difference it is like day and night. I know some people can not tolerate milk and I just wonder whether either the milk or cereals don't agree with me now (I am 56), but could it really affect how I felt on the bike? When I was running I used to go out early mornings with no breakfast and could comfortably do 10 to 12 miles. I dunno, but I guess my pre- ride breakfast is always going to boiled eggs and toasted soldiers from now on
I would really appreciate any opinions on this or hear from someone who struggles with milk/cereals.
Thanks
Dave

 

[MikeW-71]

If it works for you then it's good

I find that toast is good, or a bowl of cereal, but I don't put lots of milk on. I'm still trying things out. One that is a big no-no was a big bacon sandwich, that ride wasn't fun at all

 

[ianrauk]

Have a Lactose Intolerance test

 

[DaveyA]

Who could do that for me, the Doc?

 

[ianrauk]

Who could do that for me, the Doc?

yup..

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Google at home lactose test. It's similar to diy testing for Gluten intolerance, kinda helps to see if you need to see the GP.

 

[John the Canuck]

have asthma - switched from cows milk to goats milk

cereal and fruit for breakfast too - felt better

some people find it hard to digest cows milk......give it a try

tried soya milk......uuuuuuughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[The Brewer]

Been riding the last few months without breakfast and it seems better for me. I stop around the 25mile mark and have a break with a banana or a cereal bar, my drink is usually a caffeine one or a strong black coffee in a cafe.
I do like a glass of milk after a ride, none before though, it'd make me phlegmy. Porridge gives me indigestion and after reading about the paleo diet I'm starting to agree with some of it.

 

[AnneW]

I'm gluten and dairy free (a pain but that's life). Try some of the new almond or rice milks - they taste OK and are good in porridge. If you have a problem with cerals, try Sainsburys free from porridge made from rice and buckwheat. You can put fruit in it to sweeten it.

Humans aren't supposed to drink cow's milk. It's meant for a very different digestive system to ours. It's taken humans a long time to "learn" to digest it. Most people can, but some of us just can't.

Definitely worth getting checked out by your GP though.

 

[Ian A]

Raw milk may help. Aparently contains lactase which is killed during pasteurisation. May also contain MRSA too. I can't validate any of that information. I did go dairy free and will do again. Supporting Mrs A who has an auto immune disease where dairy is a no no. No ill effects for me by stopping or starting again. The starting again bit would suggest I don't have an issue digesting milk but I won't sit in front of my wife drinking it when I'm trying to support her efforts. I started again to finish off the large container of whey I bought and hardly use. I'm trying to get as much as I can from food which seems to be working well. +1 for nut milk or rice milk. You can make your own. I own a nut bag (filter) for this purpose. I'm a child so couldn't resist including that bit.

 

[AnneW]

Sympathies to Mrs A - immune diseases are a pain in the proverbial to live with. Me and my son battle with it too

Tell me more about making your own......

 

[maltloaf]

I am mildly asthmatic and and also seem to have odd rumblings and cramps down below these days. I have noticed recently that after a ride and the coffee that follows it, I have been phlegmy and snotty and am getting lots of dry skin patches. I've long suspected lactose and I know i should go to see the doc but it's 40 miles away and I never seem to get the time, plus getting an appointment is a nightmare.

What are these home tests like and from experience does anyone recognise my symptoms ?

Many thanks,

Kevin

 

[shouldbeinbed]

have asthma - switched from cows milk to goats milk

cereal and fruit for breakfast too - felt better

some people find it hard to digest cows milk......give it a try

tried soya milk......uuuuuuughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Soya milk, ugh. have you given rice milk a try? It tends to be a bit sweeter than other varieties and tastes particularly good cold on cereal. Not so good in hot beverages tho.

 

[fossyant]

Like the others have said, gluten or lactose intollerance sounds like a suspect. Doesn't mean you can't have any, but you've got to watch how much you eat. My wife has become gulten intollerant, so cuts it out as much as possible. She does feel rough next day if she has had gluten.

You could try elimination diet, or indeed get tested as above.

 

[AnneW]

Kevin (maltloaf) dairy is known to cause skin problems, sinus problems and extra phlegm/mucus. It's not necessarily that you are lactose intolerant, though you might be, just that milk can cause these issues.

If you aren't able to see the doctor, elimination is the easiest way to fid out - remove dairy fro your diet and see if things improve.

I've not seen the home tests, hopefully someone else will have some info on them.