 |
|
|
|
Lactose Intolerance and Milk
 |
How can I tell if I am lactose intolerant? |
 |
If you have lactose intolerance, you may experience stomach pain, bloating, gas or diarrhea after consuming milk products. It is important to remember that gastrointestinal discomfort can be caused by many different things, such as increased fiber intake, spicy foods, emotional upset, or foodborne illnesses. The only way to determine for certain whether you have lactose intolerance is through a hydrogen breath test. And it is important to keep in mind that lactose intolerance is not an all-or-nothing condition. Most people with lactose intolerance can drink one to two glasses of milk each day without experiencing any symptoms. If you believe you suffer from lactose intolerance, you should consult your healthcare provider prior to making any changes in your diet. |
Back to Top
|
What is lactose intolerance? |
|
Lactose intolerance is caused by the body not producing enough of an enzyme called lactase. Lactase is produced in the walls of the intestine and breaks down lactose into digestible sugars. Contrary to popular opinion, lactose intolerance is not a food allergy. |
Back to Top
|
If I have lactose intolerance do I need to avoid all dairy foods? |
|
It is important to keep in mind that lactose intolerance is not an all or nothing condition. Most people with lactose intolerance can drink one to two glasses of milk each day without experiencing any symptoms. And there are many ways to include dairy foods in your diet, even with lactose intolerance.
First, If you believe you suffer from lactose intolerance, you should consult your healthcare provider prior to making any changes in your diet.
Here are some tips to help you manage lactose intolerance:
- Try milk with a meal, rather than alone. The presence of other foods in the digestive track helps dilute the lactose in the milk.
- Enjoy yogurt with live and active cultures. Yogurts with live and active cultures contain bacteria that digest much of the dairy lactose as part of the yogurt manufacturing process.
- Try aged cheeses such as Swiss, Cheddar and Parmesan. Most of the lactose is removed in the cheese-making process and the little that remains is broken down during aging.
- Enjoy dairy foods in mixed dishes such as cheese in salads, soups made with milk or macaroni and cheese. Combining lactose-containing foods with other foods dilutes the lactose in the digestive tract, making it more tolerable.
- Use lactase tablets at the same time you eat something containing lactose.
- Resort to lactose-free milk only if you are unsuccessful with these other approaches. Calcium-fortified foods and calcium supplements may help boost your calcium intake but they won't replace all the other important nutrients found in dairy foods.
|
Back to Top
|
Food produced without antibiotics, added growth hormones or pesticides means better health and a cleaner environment.
|
