Dairy Free Vs. Lactose Free

Milk, cheese and yogurt provide rich sources of calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients, but people who limit or avoid dairy products can still eat healthy diets. Their choices will depend on the reason for the dietary restriction. Lactose intolerant individuals, for example, may be able to eat some dairy foods, while people with milk allergies risk a severe reaction if they eat any at all. Knowing the difference between a lactose-free diet and a dairy-free diet, therefore, can be live-saving in certain circumstances.

Dairy Foods

Individuals ages 9 or older need three 8-oz. servings of dairy food per day, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Children between ages 2 to 3 need two servings, and those between 4 and 8 need 2.5 servings. Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt provide calcium, vitamin D and potassium that are important for bone and heart health. Other foods, however, can provide these same nutrients for people who do not consume dairy foods.

Lactose Intolerance

Dairy products contain varying amounts of the milk sugar called lactose. During normal digestion, the enzyme lactase breaks the milk sugar down in the small intestine. People with lactose intolerance, however, do not produce enough lactase, so the undigested food moves into the colon where bacteria breaks it down. As a result, the individual experiences gas, abdominal cramping and diarrhea within 30 minutes to two hours after eating. Some people with lactose intolerance can eat yogurt and small amounts of other dairy foods, while others react to even small amounts of lactose.

Milk Allergy

A milk allergy differs from lactose intolerance in several ways, according to Scott H. Sicherer, M.D., co-author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Dairy-Free Eating" published in 2009. First, the person reacts to the protein in the milk, rather than to the sugar. Second, milk allergies most often occur in infants while the risk of lactose intolerance increases with age. Third, when the patient's immune system attacks the milk proteins, symptoms can be severe and life-threatening. A person with a milk allergy must avoid all dairy products, even in small amounts.

Lactose-Free Diet

A lactose-free diet eliminates all sources of milk sugars, including dairy products and prepared foods that contain dairy products. Lactose-containing products include milk-based desserts such as puddings and ice cream; breads and baked goods that contain milk; creamed foods, including soup, creamed vegetables and meats; battered fish or chicken; and foods prepared with cheese, according to Frank W. Jackson, M.D. Milk substitutes such as soy, almond or rice milk are acceptable and some patients may be able to drink 100 percent lactose-free milk as well.

Dairy-Free Diet

A dairy-free diet eliminates all of the foods on the lactose-free diet, as well as a few others. Since the problem is a reaction to the protein in milk rather than the lactose, someone with a milk allergy cannot consume lactose-free dairy products safely. Avoid milk derivatives such as sodium caseinate in nondairy creamers and toppings, as well as nondairy foods that have been cross-contaminated with milk proteins. For example, avoid the sliced ham from the deli counter if the personnel use the same knife to also cut cheese, Dr. Sicherer says.