In the diet of lactose intolerance, people should eliminate milk and dairy products, as well as all foods containing gal lactose, such as chickpeas, hearts and animal livers. Gactose is a sugar found in these foods and people intolerant to gal lactose cannot metabolize this sugar. that eventually builds up in the blood.
It is a genetic disease, also known as galactosemia, is diagnosed by testing the heel bite and, if untreated, can cause problems with the baby’s liver, kidneys, eyes and central nervous system.
Patients with galactosemia should avoid foods containing galactose, such as:
As galctose may be present in the ingredients used in the manufacture of industrialized products, the label should be looked at to check whether galctose is present or not. In addition, foods such as beans, peas, lentils and soya should be consumed sparingly, as they contain small amounts of gal lactose. Since galctose is a lactose-derived sugar in milk, also refer to Diet for Lactose Intolerance.
Foods allowed are those without galactose or low in sugar, such as fruits, vegetables, wheat, rice, pasta, soft drinks, coffee and teas. People with galactosemia should replace milk and dairy products with soy products like soy milk and yogurt. In addition, since milk is the main source of calcium in the diet, the doctor or nutritionist may prescribe calcium supplements, depending on the needs of the individual. See which foods are rich in calcium without milk.
It is also important to remember that there are different types of gal lactose intolerance and that the diet varies depending on the type of disease and the results of blood tests that measure the amount of gal lactose in the body.
Symptoms of galactosemia are mainly
It is important to remember that if treatment is not done as soon as the disease is diagnosed, problems such as mental retardation and blindness can occur, committing the physical and mental development of the child.
Babies with galactosemia cannot be breastfed and should be fed soy milk or soy milk formula. At the stage when solid foods are introduced into the diet, friends, family, and school should be informed of the baby’s diet so that he or she does not eat foods containing gal lactose. Caregivers should read all food packaging and labels, making sure they do not contain galctose.
In addition, the baby should be accompanied throughout his or her life by the pediatrician and nutritionist, who will monitor its growth and indicate nutritional supplements, if necessary. For more information, see What your baby should eat with galactosemia.