Do you know what is lactose free milk ? How is lactose free milk made? Which are the best and healthiest cow’s milk and diary substitutes and alternatives for people with lactose intolerance? Here we will try to answer these questions. Nowadays, following a lactose and diary free diet is not a hard task, because there are many suitable foods and options on the market.
What is lactose free milk? Cow’s milk and diary substitutes.
Lactose intolerance means that the body can not properly digest lactose – natural sugar in milk and other dairy products. Lactose intolerance is caused by deficiency of the lactase enzyme in the body. This enzyme breaks down lactose into two simple sugars — glucose and galactose.
Main lactose intolerance symptoms are: diarrhea, gas, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps.
What is lactose free milk ?
Lactose free milk is a plant-based milk or a regular milk with added lactase enzyme. Lactose-free milk has a longer shelf life than regular milk and tastes sweeter than regular milk.
How is lactose free milk made?
Lactose free milk is maid by adding small amounts of the enzyme lactase to regular milk. The lactase brakes down lactose into its constituent components (glucose and galactose). This is a practice for many manufacturers that offers lactose free milk and products. There are many lactose free milk brands on the market.
Another type of lactose free milk – plant-based milk is maid form different plants such as: soy, almonds, rice, and coconut.
What is the difference between lactose free and diary free milk ?
Lactose free milk does not necessary mean diary free milk! There is a big difference between them! Diary free milk contain absolutely no milk or part of milk! However, lactose is only one ingredient in milk. Therefore, lactose free products are not necessary diary free. But a product that is diary free is naturally lactose free.
There are a wide range of lactose free milk and diary free products available on the market. Plant-based milk is naturally diary free and lactose free milk.
Some of the most popular, healthiest and best diary substitutes are:
- Soy Milk – a great source of protein for people with lactose intolerance.
- Almond Milk – a great source of calcium, vitamin D and E.
- Coconut Milk – has little protein and about the same saturated fat as whole milk.
- Rice Milk – you can find it on the market with added calcium.
- Hemp milk – high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It also has protein.
