Services and Programs
Pediatric Nutrition
Lactose-Free Diet
Lactose is the sugar that is found naturally in milk
and milk products, as well as foods with ingredients such as milk
or whey. In order for the body to use lactose, it has to break
it down using an enzyme called lactase. Lactose intolerance
is a condition that occurs when a person does not produce enough
lactase to break down the lactose in food.
 |
| Milk
alternatives
Some alternatives to milk include:
- calcium-fortified soy milk
- Boost
- Kindercal
- Pediasure
Ask the pediatrician what is best for your
child. |
|
 |
Symptoms of lactose intolerance include:
-
Abdominal cramping
- bloating
- gas
- diarrhea
These symptoms may occur shortly after eating foods that contain
lactose, but sometimes will not occur until hours later. This is
because people vary in the amount of lactose they can tolerate.
When milk products are eliminated from the diet because of lactose
intolerance, an important source of calcium and other vitamins and
minerals is eliminated. Because of this, your child will need to
get calcium from other sources, or may need to take a calcium supplement.
Be sure to consult with your child's doctor or dietitian before
giving any supplements. The amount of calcium a child needs will
depend on their size and age.
Avoiding Lactose
There are many different words that are used to describe the different
forms that lactose may come in. Read food labels, and stay away
from foods with any of the following ingredients:
- Milk
- Skim milk powder
- Skim milk solids
- Lactose
- Whey
- Caseinate
- Curd
The following ingredients are okay to use:
- Lactase
- Lactalbumin
- Lactylate
- Calcium Compounds
Reading food/nutrition labels is a very important habit to get
into when looking for foods that do not contain lactose. Lactose
can come in many "hidden" forms, and even products that
do not appear to have milk included, may in fact have a milk product
as an ingredient.
Lactose-Free Foods
Following are lists of lactose-free foods, and foods to avoid:
| Food Group |
Enjoy |
Avoid |
| Beverages |
Teas, regular iced tea, regular carbonated beverages, soy
milk, cocoa powder, Nestle's Quik |
Milk (all types), powdered milk, sweetened/condensed milk,
instant hot cocoa, instant iced tea, Ovaltine, chocolate drink
mixes, cream, half-n-half, diet soda |
| Breads/Cereals/Crackers |
Vienna bread, French bread, Jewish rye bread, Italian bread,
graham crackers, soda crackers, Ritz crackers, hot or cold cereals
without added milk solids (read the label) |
Breads/rolls containing milk, prepared baking mixes (muffins,
biscuits, pancakes, etc.), Zwieback, corn nuts, instant cereal
with added milk solids |
| Potatoes and Starches |
Items prepared without milk or milk products: macaroni, noodles,
rice, spaghetti, white/sweet potatoes |
Products with milk added, such as instant potatoes, frozen
French fries, Scalloped/au gratin potatoes, macaroni and cheese
mixes |
| Vegetables |
Fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables without added milk products |
Cream d or breaded vegetables or vegetables with margarine
added |
| Fruit |
Fresh, canned or frozen fruit not processed with milk/milk
products |
Any canned or frozen fruit processed with milk or milk products |
| Meat and Meat Substitutes |
Plain meat, fish, poultry, eggs, Kosher prepared meat products,
soybean meat substitutes, dried peas, beans, lentils, and nuts |
Breaded or creamed eggs, fish, meat or poultry, luncheon meats,
sausage, hot dogs containing cheese or cheese products |
| Fats and Oils |
Bacon, shortening, Miracle Whip, milk-free margarine, diet
imitation margarine, salad dressings without milk products,
vegetable oils, olives, mayonnaise, Coffee Rich and Rich's Whipped
Topping |
Sour cream, cream cheese, chip dips, sauces and salad dressings
made with milk products, and peanut butter with added milk solids |
| Soups/Combination Foods |
Bouillon, broth, vegetable soups, clear, soups, consommes,
homemade soups made with allowed ingredients |
Chowders, ream soups, canned and dehydrated soups containing
milk products |
| Seasonings |
Pure monosodium glutamate (msg), soy sauce, carob powder,
olives, gravy made with water, Baker's cocoa, pure seasonings
and spices, sugar, honey, corn syrup, jam, jelly, marmalade,
and molasses |
Condiments with milk solids or lactose added |
| Desserts |
Angel food cake, homemade cookies, cakes or pies made from
allowed ingredients, tofu desserts, pure-sugar candies, marshmallows,
and gelatin |
Desserts prepared with milk/milk products, pudding, sherbet,
ice cream, custard, frozen yogurt, toffee, peppermint, butterscotch,
chocolate, caramels, reduced-calorie desserts made with sugar
substitute, or chewing gum made with lactose |
Additional Resources
For more information or lactose-free products:
Try www.missrobens.com
for their catalog.
Try www.foodallergy.org
for information and membership.
Back to Nutrition Home Page
|
