Many adults have a condition called lactose intolerance, which means their bodies can’t digest lactose properly. Lactase (the enzyme that is responsible for digesting lactose) is more prevalent than not less in adults than in children. Milk and milk products are much harder on the stomach and digestive system. Following these guidelines can help you live a happy life with lactose intolerance.
Be sure to avoid milk. You should stay away from milk and milk products if you are lactose intolerant. This can be very difficult for ice cream lovers! Stay away from any product that contains milk which includes ice cream, milk and cheese, cream and even yogurt and also milk powder. Note that all of these include lactose, you may want to avoid them if you are lactose intolerant. Try to avoid foods made with whey or curd. These are produced with cheese that comes from milk. Avoid all dairy products, just to be safe.
Be conscious and smart when you buy. There are items in the grocery store that are labeled ‘dairy-free’. Please stop and look at what the ingredients actually are in these products instead of just throwing them into your cart. When you discover that some of these products contain dairy, you may be surprised. Creams and whipped toppings are two examples. Read the small print on labels and don’t just accept what the big print says.
Make sure you know all the ingredients in your medicines. Lactose can also be found in over-the-counter or prescription medications. You should talk to your medical advisor to make sure your prescriptions are not making your lactose intolerance worse. This is the same for supplements and vitamins. You should be on the lookout for labels that advertise that they are lactose-free.
Try to modify your shopping list. You don’t have to completely omit dairy products from your diet. Most grocery stores sell lactose-free or low-lactose milk that can ease your need for a cup of milk. One way to substitute cow’s milk is with soy milk. It doesn’t taste exactly like cow’s milk, but it won’t wreak havoc on your digestive system. Supermarket staff will have a basic understanding of where to find foods for people with lactose intolerance.
Taking a lactose enzyme can help. Keeping lactose enzymes with you at all times is a must if you plan to live with lactose intolerance. There are pills available that will help you better digest lactose. You can get them without a prescription. Lactaid is an example. This will allow you to still consume some dairy products. Keep them readily available to you at all times. It is another simple way to deal with lactose intolerance.