I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for National Dairy Council and the LACTAID® Brand about lactose intolerance. I received product coupons from the LACTAID® Brand to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
Somewhere around my 50th birthday I noticed certain foods that had never been a problem, were now starting to create uncomfortable symptoms for me. Sadly, there were some of my favorite foods – cheese, ice cream, and some brands of yogurt. At first I shrugged it off as over indulgence, but it wasn’t long before I realized that I was having more than just discomfort.
In fact, after one horrible night spent suffering in pain every bit as difficult as the labor of childbirth, I vowed never to eat dairy again. Of course, my resolve didn’t last long. These foods are what keep me a vegetarian and not a vegan. But every time I indulged, I felt ill afterwards.
National Dairy Council – Lactose Intolerance & Nutrition
I’m not alone in my lactose intolerance. The National Dairy Council estimates that there are 30-50 million American who believe they are intolerant (most are self-diagnosed). The National Dairy Council says most sufferers experience digestive issues like bloating, gas, and diarrhea after eating foods with lactose. Simply avoiding the foods should stop the symptoms.
But cutting out dairy foods could cause other issues. The National Dairy Council reminds lactose-intolerant folks that by cutting out dairy, they could be missing out the vitamins and nutrients they provide. These include protein, calcium, and Vitamins A and D. Calcium is important for strong bones, which is especially important for women of all ages, and it helps keep our nervous systems healthy. It’s helped in this mission by the phosphorus and Vitamin D that’s also included in milk (source: Unintended Consequences of Dairy Avoidance and infographic: Lactose-Free Milk, It Still Does a Body Good).
What should you do if you suspect you have a lactose intolerance?
Think the cause of your tummy troubles could be a sign that you suffer from lactose intolerance? There is a test your doctor can perform, but for most people that’s not necessary. Use the National Dairy Council’s Food Journal to track your daily food intake and share your findings with your doctor. Your doctor will likely suggest adding foods back one at a time and just a small amount until you find your limit (consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis first). I found I can eat a small amount of hard cheese (like cheddar) and certain brands of yogurt with no problem. But ice cream causes excruciating pain.
Find out more about lactose intolerance at the National Dairy Council’s website and download their free Lactose Intolerant? 5 Things You Need to Know infographic.
You can also try a lactose-free product like LACTAID® Milk so that you get the taste you love without the lactose your body doesn’t.
Lactose Intolerance –Great Tasting Choices
I’ve never been much of a milk drinker and over the last few year have preferred soy milk, but one thing milk does better is ice cream. I’ve yet to find a soy ice cream that can rival good old-fashioned, real cream, ice cream. Oddly, I never used to eat ice cream more than a few times a year; however, now that I can’t have it, I seem to want it more often.
We’re having a picnic this week where we’ll be making homemade ice-cream with heavy cream – yum. I was feeling a little blue thinking about what I’ll be missing out on. I know LACTAID® makes lactose-free ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, cookies & cream, strawberry & cream, and butter pecan), but it’s not vegetarian, so I had to come up with something else to satisfy myself while I watch everyone else enjoy their sweet treat.
What I decided to do was make a smoothie that was similar to a milkshake but filled with fresh fruit (though you could use frozen as well) and I used fat-free LACTAID® Milk for the base so that I could enjoy it pain-free.
Lactose-Free Recipes: Fruit Milk Shake
- 2 cups LACTAID Milk, divided
- 1 cup fruit (fresh or frozen)
- 1 tsp Agave or Honey (optional)
- About 1 hour before serving, pour 1 cup LACTAID milk into an ice tray (small cubes freeze faster and are easier to blend). Freeze for about 1 hour.
- Place the frozen milk into a blender cup, add fruit, milk, and sweetener if desired.
- Blend until incorporated.
- Serve immediately and garnish with fresh fruit if desired.
I will be trying to make my own LACTAID® ice milk soon with the remaining LACTAID®Calcium Enriched Fat Free Milk I have on hand. Sadly I have not been able to locate the LACTAID® Calcium Enriched Whole Milk near me or I’d use it and make an ice cream instead of ice milk. But until then, this light and refreshing fruit smoothie shake will be just the sweet treat I need and more importantly, I haven’t had any digestive issues with it whatsoever.
LACTAID® milk can be used just like regular dairy milk in your favorite recipes or by the glass and they can be found in the refrigerator or freezer section of grocery stores throughout the US. Find out more online at Lactaid.com or on their Facebook page.
GIVEAWAY
One US reader will receive coupons for a full-size LACTAID® Milk. If you’d like to be considered, comment below with which LACTAID® Milk you’d most like to try. One person will be randomly selected from all those interested. Winner’s mailing address must be received by June 12, 2014.
I would love the chocolate milk
Being lactose intolerant is no fun. Thank goodness for the Lactaid products so you do not feel you are missing out. Great recipe idea!
I would like to try the chocolate milk
I would really like to try the chocolate milk, my favorite.
I’d love to try the Lactaid Fat Free Milk.
Looks so good and thanks for sharing,. I am going to have to try this.
I am not bothered by milk but I suspect that my oldest daughter might be. I will try one of these products and see if it helps her tummy. Thanks for sharing!
One of my friends is lactose intolerent and has been using Lactaid products for years. She swears by them!
What an informative and balanced post. So many things can cause digestive issues as we age — from cancer, to a variety of food allergies, to hormonal changes, to excessive sugars and/or artificial sweeteners. We need the valuable nutrients in dairy for strong bones — especially women. Taking the time to make sure it really is lactose intolerance (that food journal is a great start) can make a huge difference for overall health.
I love Lactaid products…was able to try them during the spring break.
thank you for the recipe too because my Garndmother is lactose intolerant so this sure comes handy
I always had problems with cow’s milk but now I found I can take it if Lacteid Delicious I would like to try the Lacteid Fat free milk!! Thankyou 😉
My in-laws drink lactaid. They have for years.
The smoothie looks glorious. I am vegan so I drink almond milk or Soy, every once in a while.
I am now lactose intolerant after getting Lyme disease.
I’ve heard Lyme disease can really mess with your system long term – sounds like you’re experiencing some of that. So sorry but glad you can find foods that work.
I would love to try the LACTAID® Calcium Enriched Fat Free Milk! I have had bad sinus problems for the past several years that I thought were due to allergies. But after researching, I found out that they could be caused by an insensitivity to gluten or lactose. I would like to try a dairy-free diet to see if it helps!
I’m lactose intolerant, but I’ve learned to deal with it. I can have it in small amounts at this stage, so I haven’t tried the lactose-free products in a while. That shake looks so good, but it would be too much milk for me if I didn’t use a lactose-free product. I’ll be trying it soon!
It’s pretty delicious if I do say so myself! 🙂 Cool, creamy & fruity!
Great info in this post-a close friend suffers from Lactose intolerance and now I have a better understanding of what she can and can not eat/ drink–thanks for sharing!
And most importantly that it’s real. Until I suffered to the point of almost going to the hospital with it myself, I always thought it was a bit of a joke. Not so any more!
I don’t suffer from lactose intolerance, but, I have so many friends who do and I am just glad that there are products on the market like this one to make their lives easier.
Yes Crissy – it’s wonderful when you don’t have to cut out foods you love and I didn’t have it at your age either. Goodness knows I never expected to! Aging, it’s not for sissies! 🙂
I was born lactose intolerant and slowly outgrew it – until I became pregnant with my daughter and it came back full force. I’ve been drinking Lactaid for 5 years now and actually prefer the taste to ‘regular’ milk
I’m terrible about remembering to take the pills – the products with it in it is the only way I can do it 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
My son is lactose intolerant. It gives him to worst belly aches.
They’re terrible! And they last for hours. Every time I eat ice cream I curse myself 🙂 Best of luck with your son!