All right, most of you know what I've been through recently. Those of you who don't and would like the gory yet amusing details, feel free to check out my journal. My doctor prescribed two pretty powerful antibiotics to clear up what we assume is a urinary tract infection, and my stomach is feeling the result of this assault. Rob had mentioned in my journal to eat some plain yogurt or probiotics.

So, today while shopping I picked up some plain yogurt (full fat unflavored). I notice it's a pretty high carb count (12 g per cup) but I doubt I'll be eating a cup of the stuff. Now, in the past, I would eat one of the small cups of flavored yogurt to help with this problem, but this is the first time on LC that I've had to deal with this.

Those of you in the know (and I KNOW you're out there) - what is the best way to utilize this yogurt for the health benefits and not completely blow the carb count for the day? Is it ok to eat small amounts with some sweetener and fruit? Should I choke it down as is? Smoothie?

Any and all info would be great. Thanks!

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Eddie
President and Founder of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

Eddie, I like yogurt and kefir, and the more sour the better, but yogurt seems to be a YMMV thing. In some quarters there's an assumption that the friendly buggies eat some of the milk sugars, so yogurt need not be counted at face value. HOWEVER, Maggie and a few others who've tested that theory disagree, at least for themselves. If you use yogurt, personally I'd spread it--a bit out throughout the day, and check yourself to see how you're feeling. Sure, add some flavoring, DaVinci, etc. Drain it and make yogurt cheese. Use it in a smoothie. Mix it with Maggie's cereal. Apply it to the er, affected parts.

However, the most efficient way to repopulate your system is probiotics. Even the best yogurts have only one or perhaps two species of friendly bacteria, and not many of those. Your local HFS will carry (in the refrigerated section) some good brands of powdered, capsuled or even liquid probiotics. No carbs.

Whatever you use, my suggestion would be to continue for at least a couple of weeks after your course of antibiotics is over. Hope you feel better really soon!

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Eddie, allow me to suggest kefir. It is one of those things that, if you like it, you love it. If you don't like it ... well, see if you can get some probiotics at the healthfood store. For your immediate situation, the probiotics might be the best solution while staying on your program.

I don't recommend yogurt. It's a YMMV item. I test my blood sugar and find that yogurt acts much like whole milk in terms of my BGL's. Kefir, on the other hand, has a much less profound effect. I've been brewing my own for years, now.

Here's a site with much information on kefir.

http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html

If you can get some Helios brand kefir at you HFS, and you like it, I can send you some "grains." (You'll see that this is a misnomer and that grains have nothing to do with it. LOL!) Then you can brew your own.

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Posting at the same time, Bren.

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LOL! Poor Eddie, now we're two-timing him!

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

I'm not sure I could handle having my pants full of yogurt. Forget the maxipads, pass the Depends! LOL

Maggie, I was wondering about the kefir as well. I've been wanting to try it anyway, so tomorrow I'll take a trip to the HFS and see what they have. If they don't have that brand I'll look at the probiotics. I just want to make sure that I don't mess up my intestinal tract now that my urinary tract is on the mend.

And if I like the kefir, I'll take some grains! Thanks for all the info!

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Eddie
President and Founder of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

Maggie, a couple of times I've bought kefir at Whole Foods and I liked it. I gather that making kefir is relatively easy.

Could you outline how you do it, please? Pretty please? With erythritol on top?

I've visited Dom's site a number of times and I feel like I've read quite a lot of interesting and esoteric info about kefir (there's that kinda neat story about a Prince, a lady of intrigue, and a kidnapping - all in the quest to acquire kefir jewels - someone should make a movie!).

Yet, somehow I've missed the essential process for home kefir production. (note to Dom, if making kefir so easy, why does it require so much reading?) Not that I'm averse to reading, per se.

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~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

Mmmmm, yogurt pants....

Can you make kefir using store-bought kefir as a starter?

I have looked online and they all seem to say you have to start with the grains... but lots of websites (and the instructions that came with my latest yogurt maker) say you have to use their packaged starter to make yogurt, and I know that's hooey.

I'm so glad to see someone who is open minded and curious enough to try and help themselves in a natural and nutritious way!

Here's why: both DH and my M-I-L have taken a huge course of antibiotics in the last few weeks/months. Both have complained about gastrointestinal distress afterward. (DH took a 3 week course of Cipro! That's the crap that cures you if you get ANTHRAX!!)
Oh, sorry.....it also kills alot of other beneficial bacteria. DH had a colonoscopy (no, people, there were no worms and/or old hot dogs hanging around the walls of his colon....) and an endocope into his esophagus and stomach. Other than some damage from reflux ("cuz he refuses to stick to l/c) he is clean as a whistle. Yet, he gets "bloated, crampy, and hurting".

I have tried and tried to get both of them to take a probiotic. His mom suffered from diarrhea for weeks after taking 2 different antibiotics the doc prescribed. Both of them just blow me off like I'm selling snake oil and continue in their misery.

I cured myself of "IBS" I suffered with for YEARS by using enzyme supplements and taking a full 30-day regimen of a multi-strain, high quality, refrigerated probiotic. I've only had ONE stomach episode since then and I believe that may have been a food spoilage issue.

So, I get to eat right, exercise sometimes (!), take the necessary enzymes, and live normally. They.....eat whatever they want, do no exercise at all, and refuse to try to cure their tummy troubles with nutrition. Taking whatever scrips the doc hands out is apparently the way to go. AND I get to hear all their whining.

"There are none so blind than those who refuse to see, and none so deaf than those that won't hear." ~I don't know who said it, but it's absolutely true.

Sorry for hijacking this thread! It's just that it's just so easy to do....as you will find out. There's no reason to remain in misery and continue to take drugs. You'll be glad you did the kefir, probiotics, or maybe a combination. Take care and keep us posted on what you're doing and how well it works for you. I have no doubt you'll be back to normal in no time.

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Teel, it's really easy. Put the grains in a glass container (I use a nice jar with a plastic top I got at Big Lots) pour in some milk (cold is fine), put the top on loosely, stick it on the counter somewhere that the sun won't shine on it and wait. When it's done, strain it into another container (I use a food safe plastic jug) and put in the fridge. Put the grains back into your "brewer" and add more milk.

I'll come back tonight with specific links to Dom's enormous site that have good pics and descriptions.

Binki, the only way to make real kefir is to use the grains. Somewhere on Dom's site, you'll find an explanation of why. I'll try to post a specifc link tonight.

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All right, I bought some Helios kefir tonight and while it's probably an acquired taste, I really like it! I also explored the linked site and would like trying to make my own. The carb count seems a little high, though . . . is it more of a maintenance thing or do people at all levels use it? I know I'm using it right now because of the antibiotics but I also don't want to stop losing . . .

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Eddie
President and Founder of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

Eddie, I've always taken acidophilus with every dose of antibiotic. It's easily found at WalMart or any hfs. It's always worked for me. No need to worry about carbs, either. If I don't take it, I get a whopping case of diarrhea, but if I take it with every dose, it works beautifully. Hope this helps you.

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Nita

Eddie, it's been a while since I've checked around, but I count maybe 1/2 the stated carbs, since the buggies use lactase as their food. Now that's if you drink the plain version. All bets off with the flavored ones.

Glad you like the flavor. The more tangy the flavor, the less carbs. Another reason to make your own and let it brew until it curls your tongue. :cook:

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

I do like the flavor, but I admit this morning I mixed it with a little DaVinci's - I assume that's ok? It was like a smoothie, very yummy. But I'm not averse to the plain either. I noticed on Dom's site that if you let it "cure" even more of the lactase gets eaten so it becomes lower carb and tangier - might try that.

Oh Maggie, that offer for grains, does it still stand?

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Eddie
President and Founder of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

Teel & Binky, just wanted to let you know that I've not forgotten that I promised some more specific links. Hopefully, I'll have more time this evening.

Eddie, I have to admit that I didn't get into kefir until I was already in maintenance. Based on my blood glucose response (which is, in turn, based on my own metabolic condition), I count kefir as about 10 gms per cup. I tend to drink it in 3-4oz portions and usually have some in the am, then maybe again in the pm. When I'm on antibiotics, I take a 2 oz shot 3-4 times per day.

On the grains, sure. PM me your addy and I'll get some out to you soon. When you get it, you can reimburse me for the postage. No charge for the grains.

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