Between 30 million and 50 million Americans have mild to severe lactose intolerance, a condition that causes nausea, diarrhea, gas, bloating and abdominal cramping after the patient consumes dairy products, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Lactose intolerant individuals cannot digest foods containing lactose properly because their bodies produce insufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase. Some can tolerate small amounts of dairy products, while others must avoid foods containing any ingredient containing lactose.
Milk
Avoiding recipes and products containing milk may seem obvious for lactose-intolerant people, but consumers should also read food labels on processed foods to determine if milk has been added. Lactose-containing ingredients such as sweet acidophilus milk, evaporated milk, acidophilus milk, sweetened condensed milk and dry milk products may be used in a variety of products. For example, instant hot chocolate and cocoa mixes, cereal, instant soups, bread, biscuits, muffins, pancakes, cakes, cookies, baking mixes, salad dressings, nondairy creamers, processed meats and breaded foods often contain milk products.
Whey
Whey, a milk protein, comes from the process of making cheese. Some manufacturers produce whey concentrate, which contains lactose, while others make a lactose-free version called whey isolate. When purchasing a protein shake or powder made from whey, check the product label to determine if it contains lactose or not.
Cheese
Cheese contains varying amounts of lactose, and some lactose intolerants can eat hard cheeses without experiencing symptoms. Those sensitive to cheese should avoid foods with cheese toppings, as well as processed foods that list any type of cheese on the food label. These foods include pizza, lasagna, macaroni and cheese, packaged dried potato mixes, tomato and spaghetti sauce with cheese, and some salad dressings.
Cream
Any product made with cream in any form -- sweet cream whipping cream, half and half, sour cream, cream cheese and regular cream -- contains lactose. These products include creamed vegetables, meat, fish or poultry; cream soups; ice cream; chip dips; some salad dressings; and some types of margarine. Desserts and dessert mixes may also contain cream.
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