- It affects roughly 1 in 10 adults in the U.S.
- Lactose is a form of sugar that occurs naturally in dairy products.
- Lactose is digested by the enzyme lactase. Lactase is available as a supplement to aid in digestion of foods containing lactose.
- All dairy products contain varying amounts of lactose.
- Lactose intolerance usually means you can tolerate SOME lactose.
- If you have lactose intolerance, you should still incorporate dairy into your diet as it is a good source of Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Phosphorus, Potassium, Protein, and B Vitamins.
- It is more likely you will tolerate milk if it is mixed with other solid foods, which slow down the digestion of the lactose.
- Hard cheeses contain less than 1 gram of lactose per 1.5 ounce serving, and therefore, are typically tolerated by those with lactose intolerance.
- Butter is lactose free. HINT: If the amount of carbohydrates on the product is 0 grams, then it must be lactose free as lactose is a carbohydrate.
- Yogurt is more easily digested by those who have lactose intolerance because of the probiotics that naturally occur.
- Milk has the highest lactose content at 11-13 grams per cup.
- Everyone with lactose intolerance is a little different. Experiment with types of dairy and amounts of dairy foods to find what works for you. You can still enjoy many of your favorite foods!
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