If you develop gas, bloating, stomach pain, cramping and diarrhea after eating lunch meat, you may be experiencing symptoms related to lactose intolerance. Lactose is a sugar found in milk that can cause adverse reactions if you don't produce enough lactase, the enzyme that helps the body absorb lactose. The American College of Gastroenterology states that lactose intolerance is the most common food intolerance and typically causes symptoms within a half an hour after consuming a food that contains lactose.
Background
Lactose intolerance occurs when your digestive system doesn't have the ability to digest lactose. If you have a shortage of lactase, the lactose will not be broken down and simplified. Lactose in its natural state is not absorbable by the human body. It needs to be broken down into galactose and glucose. When this doesn't occur, the lactose passes through the small intestines and enters the large intestine. The large intestine contains high quantities of bacteria that attempt to break down the lactose. The bacteria involvement with lactose causes excessive gas, bloating and diarrhea.
Lunch Meat
Avoid lunch meats that contain lactose or eat them in conjunction with a lactase enzyme supplement. If you are mildly intolerant to lactose, you may be able to eat a certain quantity of lunch meat without consequence. Not everyone is intolerant of lactose to the same degree. You may be able to eat 4 oz. of lunch meat without developing any symptoms, while someone else may not be able to eat more than 1 oz. without developing symptoms. Your doctor may recommend a challenge diet to determine the amount of lunch meat you can eat.
Challenge Diet
A challenge diet requires that you remove all lactose products from your diet for two weeks. After the two weeks end, consume 1/2 oz. of a lunch meat that contains lactose. Increase the amount of lunch meat you consume each day day by 1/2 oz. until you develop symptoms.
Treatment
You may be able to continue to eat lunch meat even if you're severely lactose intolerant by taking a medication that contains lactase. Lactase supplements are available at pharmacies and come in pill or liquid form that can be taken before your first bite of lunch meat. Once symptoms begin, there is no treatment for the symptoms. You need to wait for your body to expel the lactose before you experience relief.
