Can lactose-free milk be consumed by people with lactose intolerance?

Is lactose-free milk safe if you are lactose intolerant?

NIDDK states that lactose-free and lactose-reduced products can help you cut the lactose you take in. It describes these products as available in many grocery stores and “just as healthy for you as regular milk and milk products.”

What is lactose intolerance?

The NHS describes lactose as the sugar found in milk from cows, goats and sheep and in many dairy and processed foods. Symptoms can include tummy pain, bloating, wind, diarrhoea or constipation, and feeling or being sick. They can start within minutes or a few hours of eating or drinking lactose.

Can you drink lactose-free milk if you are not lactose intolerant?

The pages we read do not say lactose-free milk is harmful for people who can digest lactose, and NIDDK calls it as healthy as regular milk. Neither page compares the nutrients of lactose-free and regular milk in detail, so check the label of your product.

Do you need to avoid milk completely?

Not necessarily. The NHS says eating smaller portions of foods that contain lactose, or avoiding them, can prevent symptoms, and that a lactase supplement taken before food or drink with lactose may help some people. It advises against cutting foods out without advice from a GP or dietitian. NIDDK notes that people who avoid all milk may get less calcium and vitamin D than they need.

When to ask a professional

If symptoms continue, ask a doctor, pharmacist or dietitian. Lactose intolerance is not the same as a milk allergy, and the pages we read do not cover allergy.