After being diagnosed with lactose intolerance, you will need to change the way eat to avoid symptoms. Many breakfast items contain milk and can trigger lactose-intolerant symptoms. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be able to eat breakfast foods that are low in lactose without any symptoms. Other foods that are high in lactose need to be avoided or consumed while taking a lactase supplement. You and your doctor need to discuss any modifications made to your diet before you change your breakfast meals.
About Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance typically begins around the age of 3, but most people will not develop symptoms until later in adulthood. Lactose intolerance is rare in children under the age of 3 because their bodies produce large amounts of lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose. Lactose is a sugar that is primarily found in milk, including cow's milk, breast milk, goat's milk and sheep milk. As the baby develops into a child, the digestive system stops producing as much lactase because the child no longer needs to acquire her primary nourishment from milk.
Types
Although everyone stops producing as much lactase as they did when they were a baby, not everyone develops symptoms of lactose intolerance. Common symptoms occur within 30 minutes after consuming dairy products with stomach pain, cramping, diarrhea and bloating. Lactose intolerance that occurs naturally as you age is considered primary lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance that develops as a result of an injury or illness is considered secondary lactose intolerance. Both types of the condition cause the same symptoms.
Eating Breakfast
If you are intolerant to lactose mildly to moderately, you may be able to eat breakfast foods that are low in lactose. Drugs.com says that foods that are low in lactose include cottage cheese, yogurt, butter, cream cheese, margarine and aged cheeses. Some foods are considered lactose-free, such as lactose-free milk, non-dairy creamers, eggs, bread made without milk, dry cereal, oatmeal and vegetables. Avoid popular breakfast items that are high in lactose, such as plain milk, cream, sweet acidophilus milk and baked goods made with milk.
Symptom-free Breakfast
You can enjoy your favorite breakfast dairy products even if you're lactose intolerant. An over-the-counter medication that provides the lactase enzyme can enable you to eat almost any food product that contains lactose. The supplement, when taken as directed, digests the lactose in the dairy product for you, so your body can easily absorb it.
