Lactose intolerance occurs when the digestive system in a person cannot break down completely the sugar called Lactose that is found in milk. This is due to a shortage of the lactase enzyme which is produced by the cells that line the small intestine.Undigested lactose ferments in the intestine and could cause abdominal pain, bloated stomach or diarrhoea..
Some of the symptoms for lactose intolerance are:
Lactose intolerance is usually diagnosed through the lactose intolerance test. This test involves measurement of blood sugar levels before and after drinking liquid containing lactose. Medical test such as endoscopy could also be carried out to extract a sample from the lining of the small intestine for further analysis.
A lactose free diet is an effective way to control the symptoms. The following are foods to avoid for a lactose free diet:
· Milk or milk products such as fresh, long life, homogenised and sterilised whole, semi skimmed and skimmed milk. Powdered milk, tinned milk, milk drinks and instant powdered hot or cold malted, chocolate or coffee drinks. Cream, butter, buttermilk, margarine, ice cream, yoghurt, cheese, sour cream, whey, casein, lactose or lactalbumin.
· Lactose found in processed meat, food additives, gravy, sausages, custards, puddings, sauces, chocolates and confectionery.
· Alternative milk replacements are soya milk, rice milk, oat milk, coconut milk, almond milk, sunflower oil.
· Other lactose free foods include tofu, hoummous, soya, mushroom, fresh produce such as meat, seafood, vegetables and fruit.
· There are many foods with high calcium content that is beneficial in a lactose free diet. They are legumes, curly kale, soya milk, sardines, meat, salmon, spring greens, parsley, figs, sesame seeds, tahini, almonds, apricots, hazelnuts, brazils nut, broccoli, spinach, oranges and cocoa.
Some of the symptoms for lactose intolerance are:
- Stomach bloating
- Diarrhoea.
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea.
- Flatulence
- Vomiting
Lactose intolerance is usually diagnosed through the lactose intolerance test. This test involves measurement of blood sugar levels before and after drinking liquid containing lactose. Medical test such as endoscopy could also be carried out to extract a sample from the lining of the small intestine for further analysis.
A lactose free diet is an effective way to control the symptoms. The following are foods to avoid for a lactose free diet:
· Milk or milk products such as fresh, long life, homogenised and sterilised whole, semi skimmed and skimmed milk. Powdered milk, tinned milk, milk drinks and instant powdered hot or cold malted, chocolate or coffee drinks. Cream, butter, buttermilk, margarine, ice cream, yoghurt, cheese, sour cream, whey, casein, lactose or lactalbumin.
· Lactose found in processed meat, food additives, gravy, sausages, custards, puddings, sauces, chocolates and confectionery.
· Alternative milk replacements are soya milk, rice milk, oat milk, coconut milk, almond milk, sunflower oil.
· Other lactose free foods include tofu, hoummous, soya, mushroom, fresh produce such as meat, seafood, vegetables and fruit.
· There are many foods with high calcium content that is beneficial in a lactose free diet. They are legumes, curly kale, soya milk, sardines, meat, salmon, spring greens, parsley, figs, sesame seeds, tahini, almonds, apricots, hazelnuts, brazils nut, broccoli, spinach, oranges and cocoa.