Lactose is found in most milk and dairy products. Usually when a child is following a lactose-free diet it is because he is suffering from a lactose intolerance. This is a condition in which the body does not produce enough of the lactase enzyme to digest the lactose in milk. Dairy products can be a convenient source for a variety of nutrients. Since children following lactose-free diets do not eat dairy products, they must find these nutrients elsewhere.
Lactose-Free Dairy Products
Reduced lactose or lactose-free milk can be found in many grocery stores. However, this can be an expensive alternative. Furthermore, it is sweeter than regular milk. Because of this, lactose-free milk may not be a good substitute for children with diabetes since it can cause a spike in blood sugar levels. Certain hard cheeses, however, may be eaten on a lactose-free diet. Cheeses like Swiss and cheddar have little or no lactose in them.
Nondairy Alternatives
There are a number of nondairy alternatives to milk products. Soy milk, almond milk, soy cheese and soy yogurt are all healthy substitutes for milk and dairy products. A benefit of these products is that many of them have been fortified with the important vitamins and nutrients that are found in milk. There is also the additional option of using nondairy creamers. However, nondairy creamers tend to contain more unhealthy fats than milk while lacking many of the vitamins and minerals.
Foods Containing Lactose
Milk and lactose products are also often added to prepared foods like baked goods, cereal, instant soups, margarine, salad dressings, nondairy creamers, processed meats, candy, milk chocolate and baking mixes. This makes it very important to carefully check nutrition labels and ingredient lists for lactose or milk products. Words that can indicate a product contains lactose include whey, milk byproducts, dry milk solids, curds and fat-free milk powder.
Nutrients
The daily recommended intake of calcium for the average teenager is around 1,300 mg. While milk and dairy products are a typical child's main source of calcium, there are many nondairy options. Some reliable nondairy sources for calcium include almonds, dark leafy green vegetables, broccoli, calcium-fortified products and tofu. Children on a lactose-free diet may also run the risk of being deficient in vitamin D. Vitamin D is needed to help the body absorb calcium. Nondairy sources of vitamin D include sunshine and fortified juices.
Lactose Intolerance
Depending on the severity of a child's lactose intolerance, she may be able to consume some lactose. A child with a mild intolerance may be able to drink a small amount of milk when it is combined with solid food. This is because the food slows the digestive process, giving the body more time to process the lactose. Yogurt with live culture may also be eaten since the cultures help the body digest lactose. Taking lactase products as a dietary supplement may improve the body's ability to digest lactose, reducing or eliminating the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
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