Lactose Intolerance

Did you know that only 12 percent of adults report being lactose intolerant? Lactose intolerance is a food sensitivity, not a milk allergy. Lactose intolerance is less common in young children and more common in adults. Usually, people with lactose intolerance can eat dairy products that contain a smaller amount of lactose, such as cheese.

Cutting out milk completely can lower the intake of milk’s essential nutrients, calcium and vitamin D, which can impact your health and diet. So, even if you are lactose intolerant, dairy can still play an important role in your diet. Since all people handle lactose differently, it is important to find out what works best for you, if you do have lactose intolerance. Work with a doctor or dietitian to find a dairy-inclusive diet plan that works.

Research has shown that people with lactose intolerance may be able to tolerate a cup of milk with minimal or no symptoms. You can also keep milk in your diet by gradually re-introducing milk, drinking milk with meals or a snack, consuming small, frequent portions, and eating yogurt and cheese instead of regular milk.

Dairy foods that people with lactose intolerance can try are cheeses and yogurts. When milk is made into cheese, a majority of the lactose is broken down during aging. Yogurt contains live and active cultures that help to digest lactose.

For more information about lactose intolerance, check out these articles:

http://dairygood.org/lactose-intolerance-10-things-you-need-to-know/

http://dairygood.org/shedding-light-on-lactose-intolerance/

http://www.milkdelivers.org/files/resources/milkpep_lactoseflyer_hr.pdf