About this topic
Lactose is a type of carbohydrate. It is found in milk and milk products. Lactose is broken down in the belly. Lactase is the enzyme that breaks down lactose. Some people have problems eating food with lactose. This is because their bodies do not have enough lactase to help break down the lactose. ‚
A lactose-controlled diet is a meal plan that includes food without lactose. It may also have foods with a very small amount of lactose in them. ‚
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What will the results be?
This diet may help you: ‚
- Avoid belly troubles like bloating, cramping, and loose stools
- Lower cholesterol
What changes to diet are needed?
You need to limit eating foods with milk in them. ‚
Who should use this diet?
This meal plan is good for you if you have problems when you eat or drink milk products. ‚
What foods are good to eat?
Here are some examples of food that you may eat: ‚
- Meats and proteins like: Beef, fish, poultry, pork, eggs
- Breads and grains like: Cereals, breads, crackers
- Milk products like: Milk substitutes and nondairy products, milk treated with lactose-reducing enzymes, cheese without lactose or with small amounts of lactose. These include brick, Swiss, cheddar, camembert, colby, mozzarella, muenster, parmesan, and provolone.
- Fruits like: Apples, berries, cherries, grapes, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, watermelon
- Vegetables like: Broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, peppers, radishes, zucchini, yellow squash
- Other foods like:
- Sugar, honey, jelly, jams
- Plain sugar candies like gumdrops, jelly beans, marshmallows
- Coffee, tea, carbonated beverages
- Broth-type soups
- Oil-based salad dressings
What foods should be limited or avoided?
Here are some examples of food that you should not eat: ‚
- Meats and proteins like: Breaded meats, fish, or egg dishes made with milk; creamed meats
- Breads and grains like: Milk-based bread
- Milk products like: Milk or milk products with excess amounts of lactose. This includes milk, some cheeses, and ice cream.
- Fruits like: Artificial fruit juices with lactose, dietetic fruits with added lactose
- Vegetables like: Creamed vegetables or vegetables in cheese sauce
- Other foods like: Cream candies, products with cream fillings, commercial puddings, cocoa, Ovaltine ‚ ®, cocoa malt, beverages with cream, milk or cream-based soups, cream sauce, milk gravies, or whipped cream
Helpful tips
- Keep a journal of the foods you eat. This will help you keep track of what foods make you feel ill.
- When you go to a grocery store, have a list or a meal plan. Do not shop when you are hungry to avoid cravings for foods.
- Avoid fast foods.
- Talk to a dietitian for help.
- Take food supplements with calcium, vitamin D, or riboflavin. This is important because milk and milk products have important nutrients that your body needs. Ask your doctor what supplement is best for you.
- Look at the ingredient label. It can help you make healthy food choices. Foods may have lactose in them if they contain:
- Milk; or evaporated, condensed, dried, or powdered milk
- Cream
- Butter or margarine
- Milk solids
- Cheese
- Whey
- Curds
Where can I learn more?
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/digestive/lactose.html# ‚
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/lactoseintolerance/ ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/lactose-intolerance/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚