Lactose is a naturally occurring form of sugar. The name lactose is derived from the fact that the sugar is found in large quantities in the milk of lactating mammals. Many people are incapable of digesting lactose and suffer nausea, cramps, gas, bloating, or diarrhea soon after consuming a food item that contains lactose. Knowing the foods that are high in lactose can help those with lactose intolerance to avoid serious gastrointestinal distress.
Dairy Products
The Cleveland Clinic indicates dairy products are typically high in lactose. Milk, including skim, reduced fat, whole milk and cream, all contain lactose. Items made from milk, such as milkshakes and other beverages containing milk, ice cream, whipped cream, butter, cream soups and sauces, and puddings and custards also have significant amounts of lactose.
Cheeses
While cheese is a dairy product, it should be noted that not all cheeses contain high levels of lactose. Hard, aged cheeses, such as parmesan or cheddae, or processed cheeses, such as American cheese, have very little lactose left in them after they are made. Fresher cheeses, such as cottage cheese, mozzarella and cream cheese tend to have higher levels of lactose.
Other Sources
According to the University of Georgia Health Center, many other nondairy food items can contain lactose. These can include breads and other baked goods, breakfast cereals, salad dressings, candies, cookies and other confections. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse points to other examples of products that contain lactose, such as instant potatoes, breakfast drinks, potato chips, corn chips and other snack foods, processed meat products, such as bacon, sausage and lunch meats, protein powders and energy bars, and nondairy coffee creamers and whipped toppings. When checking any food product for lactose, focus on ingredients such as milk or milk by-products, whey, curds or lactose itself.
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