Approximately 18% Canadians suffer from lactose intolerance¹ which means that chances are, you know of at least one person who lives with this digestive disorder. That person might even be you! If you or a loved one know all too well what lactose intolerance feels like, we’ve got some excellent news for you: You don’t have to eliminate dairy products you love from your diet! Instead, you can substitute with any of the delicious lactose free alternatives out there! Keep reading to find out more.

What is lactose intolerance?

Lactose intolerance occurs when our bodies have difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products like cream or cheese. Usually, our stomachs release a digestive enzyme called lactase, responsible for breaking down lactose to make it easier for our bodies to absorb. But some people’s stomachs don’t contain enough of this enzyme, so when lactose enters the body, it doesn’t get properly digested, and that’s what causes the severe intestinal discomfort associated with lactose intolerance.

But, to help alleviate these symptoms, lactose free dairy products contain the essential lactase enzyme which makes digestion much easier on those with lactose intolerance.

Substitution is key

Did you know that most dairy products, lactose free or otherwise, contain 14 nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D, and protein? Beyond that, dairy is an affordable ingredient and can be used in so many different dishes and kitchen creations. All you have to do is swap in lactose free alternatives instead to keep on enjoying all of that wholesome goodness.

Whether you’re using lactose free Nutrilait milk instead of the regular kind or prepping a recipe that calls for lactose free cheese, you’ll be delighted to learn that lactose free dairy contains the same nutritional value as regular milk. What’s more, you won’t be missing out on that creamy flavour because lactose free products are also incredibly delicious! Even when used in cooking, lactose free goods have all the same properties as regular milk — which can’t be said when using non-dairy milk alternatives as a substitution.

Lactose free milk or lactose free cream tastes delicious with coffee and is an excellent addition to pasta dishes, soups, or baked goods. Best of all, any of your favourite recipes can be made with either lactose free milk or lactose free cream, like veal cutlets with lactose free cream and mustard, grilled cheese with lactose free Swiss cheese, and even a berry smoothie with lactose free milk. We’ll stop here, but we could keep on going!  

¹ Canadian Digestive Health