Diet for lactose intolerance
The lactose intolerance diet is based on reducing consumption or excluding lactose-containing foods, such as milk and dairy products.Following a lactose-free diet eliminates symptoms of lactose intolerance such as diarrhea or abdominal pain.
- Lactose intolerance is the individual’s inability to digest lactose in milk due to the absence of the enzyme lactase in the small intestine.
- Which has the function of transforming lactose into two simpler sugars to be absorbed into the gut.
- So lactose reaches the gut.
- Large intestine is always unchanged.
- And fermented by bacteria.
- Resulting in gas production and the onset of diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Take a look at some of the most lactose-rich foods you should avoid and watch this video to find out what you can and can’t eat:
Excluding lactose foods from the diet is the best treatment for the problem, in these cases it is very important to compensate for the decrease in calcium intake with other foods rich in this mineral, such as caruru, spinach or tofu, for example.more examples about: Calcium-rich foods without milk.
In lactose intolerance, cow’s milk can replace plant drinks such as oat milk, rice or soy, as well as natural fruit juices, soy yogurt and turkey ham, for example.
In addition to limiting milk consumption, its derivatives and recipes that are prepared with milk or butter, it is important to check the label of all foods that contain lactose because there are many cookies, breads, ready-to-use sauces and sweets.they also contain lactose and therefore should not be consumed in case of lactose intolerance.
Because yogurt and cheese contain less lactose, it may not be necessary to exclude these foods from the diet.In addition, there are dairy products on the market that have been processed industrially, do not contain lactose in their composition and can therefore be consumed by people intolerant to this sugar.
When you are diagnosed with lactose intolerance, milk, yogurt, and cheese should be excluded for 3 months, then try eating yogurt, for example, and look for any symptoms of lactose intolerance such as diarrhea, belly swelling, or abdominal pain.. If no symptoms appear, yogurt may be consumed.This test can also be done with cheese.
In addition to the proper diet, there are medications such as lactosil that can be taken when the individual eats lactose-containing foods because they contain the enzyme lactase, which degrades lactose.Learn about other remedies used for lactose intolerance.