Frozen yogurt is an option if you're looking to reduce the calories and fat found in both standard and premium ice creams. Like yogurt, frozen yogurt is a dairy product, with milk as a primary ingredient. Frozen yogurt with live, active cultures is easily digestible, but can still pose an allergy risk for some individuals.
Yogurt Allergies and Intolerances
If you are allergic to regular, refrigerated yogurt, you may have a milk allergy. Plain yogurt contains milk and live yogurt cultures, without any additional ingredients. If you can consume plain yogurt, but react negatively to flavored yogurts, you could have an allergy to an added ingredient. You may be able to consume other brands or types of yogurt and frozen yogurt. Individuals without a milk allergy may be lactose intolerant. In many cases, yogurt is more easily tolerated than other dairy products if you have a lactose intolerance, but can still be irritating. Allergies to milk and lactose intolerance may impact your enjoyment of both regular and frozen yogurt.
Milk Allergy
If you are allergic to milk and milk products, you should not consume frozen yogurt or regular yogurt. Food allergies, including an allergy to milk products, cause the body to produce histamines and antibodies. Allergic reactions include hives and swelling of the skin, gastrointestinal upset and respiratory symptoms, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. An allergist can test you for a milk allergy.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose due to inadequate lactase in your small intestine. While lactose intolerance causes discomfort, it is not an allergy. Symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, gas and abdominal cramping. Yogurt has less lactose than many milk problems, but it can still cause discomfort. Some frozen yogurts do not contain live active cultures and may have more lactose. If you're lactose intolerant, choose regular and frozen yogurts with the National Yogurt Association Live & Active Cultures seal.
Anaphylaxis
While yogurt poses no serious health risk if you are lactose intolerant, if you have a milk allergy, you should avoid consuming potential allergens. Individuals with food allergies, including milk allergies, are at risk of anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include dizziness, difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention.
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