Ask a Dietitian

Ask a Dietitian

"Diana, just a quick heads up to let you know we are still using your cookbook and the guys will often be heard saying what would Diana say about this or that....really good feed back... I made your potato salad and the oriental coleslaw on Sat. for a family luncheon and had rave reviews so thanks again."

Maeghan Henke
BC Hydro

Lactose Intolerance

June 1st, 1999

What is It?

  • The inability to digest lactose, the sugar which naturally occurs in milk, due to low levels of the enzyme lactase.
  • It is most common in people of African, Asian, Arabian, Jewish or Italian descent yet still occurs in people of North Anerican descent.What Are the Symptoms?
  • Nausea, cramps, bloating, gas and/or diarrhea after ingesting milk products or commercial foods containing milk solids or lactose.How Is It Diagnosed?
  • If you suspect you have a mild case, use trial and error by eliminating suspect foods. If you have a major concern, see your doctor. A measure of the amount of hydrogen you exhale before and after eating lactose is used to diagnose the condition.What Causes Lactose Intolerance?
  • Most people inherit the condition naturally at birth. Less common is to acquire the condition as part of a bowel condition such as Crohn’s disease. A gastrointestinal illness or treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs may also cause the condition.How To Best Manage It?
  • Avoid obvious sources of lactose such as milk, ice cream, sour cream, yogurt and cheese – however, realize that cheese and yogurt have less lactose than milk.
  • Limit or avoid baked goods and commercial products containing lactose or milk solids. Breakfast pastries and whipped topping mixes are 2 examples.
  • Know that heating milk breaks down lactose.
  • Also note that aged cheese has the least amount of lactose.
  • Consider using LactAid or Lact-eeze Milk as a replacement for milk.
  • Consider using LactAid pills or drops.
  • Use milk-free desserts in place of ice cream such as gelato and sorbets.
  • Check out www.sympatico.ca/healthywayfor milk-free recipe ideas (just search under lactose intolerance)

BE SURE TO PROTECT YOUR BONES AND TEETH BY STILL GETTING ENOUGH CALCIUM.
Choose tofu packed in calcium, leafy greens, almonds, salmon with bones, oranges and other calcium containing foods. Consider a supplement if you strongly suspect your diet doesn’t provide enough calcium!

Watch for the Eating for Energy segment every Tuesday on BCTV’s Noon News Hour!