Pat wrote: "we can reach beyond the Northern European heritage dietary
customs in discussing food choices."

I'm grateful to everyone for exploring this subject in such detail. I've
absorbed a lot, and the point Pat makes above is of particular interest,
being of solid Northern European stock myself.
However, I'm a bit concerned that what might be a genuine food intolerance
in some, is now becoming an excuse for faddy diets in others, where for
"lactose intolerance" or "milk protein allergy" read "eating disorder".
My understanding is that congenital lactose intolerance is very rare. But
these days I always seem to be coming across people who claim to have this
condition. We have one staying with us at the moment. This person can't
tolerate some dairy products eg milk and hard cheese, but somehow they can
tolerate others eg ice-cream, custard, chocolate, soft cheese.
Or, is it more likely the case that what comes down to simple food likes and
dislikes has to be dressed up as some form of allergy to give it legitimacy?
And, with this condition now (as I've read on this list) the #1 allergic
condition in the USA, isn't there a danger that the true, serious reaction
some have to lactose and/or cow's milk protein is devalued?
Ultimately, of course, this has nowt to do with breastfeeding, although I
guess those young Californians who now profess to be all lactose intolerant,
could one day be b'fing mums and be making choices about their diets based
on wholly inconsistent evidence.
Jessica Gooch
(Trainee Supporter, Breastfeeding Network, UK)

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