If you have difficulty digesting milk, you're not alone. An estimated 30 to 50 million Americans are considered lactose intolerant, or have an inability to digest the sugar in milk, according to the National Institutes of Health. Avoiding foods that contain dairy may help prevent symptoms, but some foods are not as obvious as others. Some candies, especially chocolate candy, may contain lactose, triggering your symptoms. If you're lactose intolerant and unsure if a certain candy product contains lactose, read the ingredients.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is a complex sugar found in milk that requires the digestive system to break it down into glucose and galactose. When the small intestine fails to produce enough lactase, a digestive enzyme, the lactose remains undigested and enters the colon. In the colon, the interaction with bacteria cause excessive gas, diarrhea and stomach pain, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Lactose intolerance is a chronic condition that is incurable, but it is manageable through dietary modification and supplementation.
Candy
Lactose may be used in various candy products. If the product contains milk, powdered milk or milk proteins, such as whey or casein, it most likely contains lactose. Milk chocolate products are made with milk and contain lactose. Read the product label and look for any ingredient that has the prefix "lact." If the candy does not contain any milk by-products and you still develop lactose intolerance symptoms, you may have another digestive condition. Make an appointment with your doctor and disclose the candy that's triggering your symptoms.
Supplementation
If you're diagnosed with lactose intolerance, you can still consume candy that contains milk and lactose by taking supplements. MayoClinic.com states that you can purchase lactase supplements over-the-counter that replace the necessary amount of lactase needed to digest lactose. Before using a lactase supplement, talk with your doctor. If you continue to develop symptoms while using lactase supplements, you may need to increase the amount of lactase or you may have a milk allergy.
Calcium Consideration
If you choose to eliminate all dairy products from your diet, talk with your doctor and a registered dietician about increasing your natural calcium intake in your diet. Calcium is an essential nutrient that is primarily acquired through dairy products. Eat foods that are naturally high in calcium and dairy-free, such as almonds, kale, broccoli, canned salmon, pinto beans, soy milk, rice milk and spinach. Some fruit juices and milk alternatives are fortified with calcium.
