A Lactose-Restricted Diet

Restricting lactose, the sugar found in milk and other dairy products, may be necessary for a variety of medical reasons. Lactose intolerance can be the result of a chronic condition like irritable bowel syndrome or can develop after an acute illness, surgery or treatment like chemotherapy. To prevent uncomfortable symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea and abdominal pain, lactose should be restricted in your daily diet. However, sensitivity to lactose varies with each individual.

Milk

One of the most popular dairy products, cow's milk, should be avoided on a lactose restricted diet. Almost all of the 11 to 12 g of carbohydrate found in 1 cup of cow's milk are in the form of lactose. Fortunately, many alternatives to cow's milk exist although flavor and textures may vary. Common lactose-free substitutions for cow's milk include soy milk, almond milk and rice milk. Additionally, other lactose-free options include products that add the lactase enzyme to cow's milk, which allows the lactose to be broken down. All of these alternatives are appropriate for cooking and baking.

Cheese

The lactose content of cheese depends on the type and consistency. Hard, aged cheese such as cheddar, Parmesan and Swiss have lower amounts of lactose than soft cheeses. These cheeses contain approximately 0.3 to 1 g of lactose per 1.5-oz serving. Processed cheese, like American, also contains less lactose. Soy cheese is a lactose-free cheese alternative.

Yogurt

With a lactose content of 11 to 17 g per cup, yogurt is considered a high-lactose food. However, yogurt may be tolerated in small amounts. A 2004 review of research reports that subjects were more tolerant to yogurt than milk even though the two products had similar amounts of lactose. The intraintestinal activity of probiotics, or live microorganisms, naturally present in yogurt are thought to contribute to the higher tolerance of yogurt.

Other Dairy Products

All dairy products should be considered in a lactose-restricted diet. Buttermilk and evaporated milk should be avoided due to their high lactose content. Ice cream and ice milk are medium lactose-containing foods and should be avoided or eaten in small amounts. As low lactose-containing products, sour cream, whipped cream, cottage cheese, sherbet, butter and margarine are better food choices than higher-lactose products.

Processed Foods

Dairy products are not the only foods where lactose is found. Many processed foods contain milk or milk products. Bread, cream soups, cookies, ranch dressing, pancake and waffle mixes, and instant potatoes are among the products that may contain lactose. Checking the ingredient label gives you insight into whether or not a product is made with lactose. Milk, lactose, whey, curds, milk by-products, dry milk solids, nonfat milk powder all indicate that lactose is present.

Calcium

When you restrict lactose in your diet, you are likely restricting calcium. Calcium is an essential mineral for bone and teeth growth and repair. The recommended intake of calcium for adults is 1,000 to 1,300 mg per day. Some foods are fortified with calcium, like soy milk, breakfast cereal, oatmeal and orange juice. Nondairy sources of calcium include sardines, tofu, pink salmon, spinach, collards, turnip greens, ocean perch and kale.