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A life without cheese.

(35 Posts)
Sago Sat 21-Mar-26 11:29:05

As a child growing up we never had cheese in the house as my Mother didn’t like it.

When visiting friends and relatives if cheese was on the menu I was thrilled.
I still remember my first ever cheese on toast, just delicious.

A cheeseboard is a thing of joy, Epoisses, Camembert, mature cheddar, I love it all.

Unfortunately I have developed a severe intolerance to all cheese and particularly cooked cheese, I was taking a lactase tablet before indulging but these are no longer working.

No more cheesy fish pies, pizza, soufflé or smearing Brie on warm bread.

The thought of life without cheese is actually quite daunting.

Mel1967 Sat 21-Mar-26 11:32:58

🧀 A life without cheese; would not be worth living 🧀

MaizieD Sat 21-Mar-26 11:37:31

Couldn't you try vegetarian cheeses which are lactose free?

NotSpaghetti Sat 21-Mar-26 11:38:29

I think your taste buds may change over time Sago and you will become more accepting.

Is this a medically determined thing or have you found out by eating it?

J52 Sat 21-Mar-26 11:40:16

Oh poor you. I once did a diet ( no idea why ) that banned cheese. It was the only thing I craved. Diet didn’t last long.

NotSpaghetti Sat 21-Mar-26 11:43:10

Harder cheeses have less lactose.
The harder and older the cheese, the less lactose it contains.

Are you thinking of lipase?

NotSpaghetti Sat 21-Mar-26 11:43:45

(That was to MaizieD)

Aveline Sat 21-Mar-26 12:34:16

Oh what terrible bad luck Sago. Is there absolutely nothing to be done about it?

Allira Sat 21-Mar-26 12:40:19

NotSpaghetti

Harder cheeses have less lactose.
The harder and older the cheese, the less lactose it contains.

Are you thinking of lipase?

Yes.
DD can eat some Parmesan.
Goats cheese has less lactose.

However, some cheeses contain tyramine which can trigger migraines. Another member of the family has had to stop eating most cheeses for that reason.

I feel for you, cheese is such an easy go-to ingredient for lunch, versatile and a good source of protein and calcium.

MaizieD Sat 21-Mar-26 12:44:08

NotSpaghetti

(That was to MaizieD)

OP was talking of taking a 'lactose tablet', which I assumed was an anti lactose measure..

But does my point about veggie cheeses still stand?

Sago Sat 21-Mar-26 12:53:21

MaizieD

NotSpaghetti

(That was to MaizieD)

OP was talking of taking a 'lactose tablet', which I assumed was an anti lactose measure..

But does my point about veggie cheeses still stand?

I have used vegetarian cheese for vegan guests, sorry but it tasted awful, nothing like the real thing.
I would rather go without.

Allira Sat 21-Mar-26 12:53:48

I'm nit sure.

Did you self-diagnose, Sago?
Is it a lactose intolerance or migraines?

There is much less lactose in old, hard cheeses but they are higher in tyramine.

Yes, vegan cheeses might be an alternative.

Allira Sat 21-Mar-26 12:54:19

X post, sorry.

Retread Sat 21-Mar-26 13:03:43

I would really miss cheese.

On the subject of not growing up with certain foods as a result of parent preferences - we did not eat pork growing up, my mother just didn't like it. I still don't eat pork apart from bacon (occasionally); and pork sausages. I never eat roast pork, ribs ... 🤷‍♀️

keepingquiet Sat 21-Mar-26 13:09:40

I have a cheese and dairy intolerance but I also love cheese! It is almost impossible to do without, especially if you eat out a lot.

Vegan cheese is tasteless and I think a waste of money.

I treat myself to goat's cheese, feta and halloumi but occassionally a mature cheddar. I do suffer for it afterwards though!

REKA Sat 21-Mar-26 13:16:42

Oh how awful for those who can't tolerate cheese 😕

I love most cheese apart from Stilton.

M0nica Sat 21-Mar-26 13:23:15

Sago may be your mother didn't like cheese because, unknown to her she too had an allergy to it.

We had a visceral dislike of tomatoes come down our family, grandmother, father, daughter. DGD had a severe tomato allergy as a child, and she too doesn't like them so doesn't eat them.

I and DS are low level lactos intolerant, milk of all kinds, cream, yoghourt, cottage and cream cheese. These cause us both stomach cramps and nausea, but both of us hoover up hard cheese as if it was going out of fashion. with no bad effects at all.

Maremia Sat 21-Mar-26 13:56:33

There are flavoured vegan cheeses now on sale. Look out for Applewood style and Mexicano. 🧀

Grandmabatty Sat 21-Mar-26 14:09:05

I love all sorts of cheese, from caboc to Stilton. I would be very unhappy to have to give it up

Grannybags Sat 21-Mar-26 14:34:09

Oh you poor thing Sago!

I’d find it easier to give up cake than cheese

SORES Sat 21-Mar-26 14:45:33

Mel1967

🧀 A life without cheese; would not be worth living 🧀

gosh Mel, that is almost Socratic !

JaneJudge Sat 21-Mar-26 14:57:09

oh dear, my thoughts are with you at this difficult time sad flowers

MartavTaurus Sat 21-Mar-26 15:09:36

That's annoying for you. I think I'd rather develop an intolerance to chocolate than to cheese.

Sago Sat 21-Mar-26 15:18:26

I will try and answer all questions in one post!

My mother was a very fussy eater despite growing up during the war, she wouldn’t try new foods, she thought yoghurt was exotic, her palate was not sophisticated.
She was also an appalling cook.

Cheese is giving me dreadful diarrhoea, to the point were I wouldn’t leave the house if I had eaten cheese!

It could be histamine in the cheese that’s causing it.

I’m not really a pudding eater so I do feel hard done to.

I have however decided this week, I cannot risk any cheese, sorry but it it’s goodbye!

My last splurge was some Delice de Bourgogne……. I think it was worth it!
,

MartavTaurus Sat 21-Mar-26 15:21:36

My last splurge was some Delice de Bourgogne……. I think it was worth it!
😋 😋 😋
At least you ended on a high!