Lactose is a sugar found in milk. It is normally digested in the small intestine but people with lactose intolerance lack the enzyme that carries out this reaction. This causes gas, bloating and abdominal pain after eating. If you suffer from lactose intolerance, you may need to reduce or eliminate your consumption of foods that contain lactose.
Ingredients
Read the labels of processed foods carefully to identify those that contain lactose. Some sources are easy to pick out; foods that contain milk, cheese, butter, yogurt or ice cream all contain it. In addition, foods that list whey, milk byproducts, fat-free dry milk powder or dry milk solids among their ingredients are sources of lactose.
Foods
As you become adept at reading food labels, you may be surprised to find how often lactose appears as an ingredient. Lunch meats, bacon, sausage and prepared breaded meats typically include some type of milk solids. Lactose is also found in sandwich bread, baking mixes, soups, salad dressing and instant potatoes.
Medications
Many prescription and over-the-counter medicines contain lactose. The amount of lactose is small and only people with a very high sensitivity to the sugar tend to react. Lactose is found in birth control pills, thyroid medication and medications for gastrointestinal disorders. Ask your doctor about a lactose-free version if your medication triggers lactose intolerance symptoms.
Other Solutions
Many people with lactose intolerance can digest small amounts of lactose at a time. Try hard cheeses and yogurt since these have less lactose than other dairy products. Over-the-counter lactase drops or tablets can replace the missing digestive enzyme. These are useful when you know you'll be eating foods containing lactose or when traveling or eating at restaurants.
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