Lactose-Free Diet

A lactose free diet means eating foods that do not contain lactose- a sugar that is found in most milk products. Some people cannot properly break down lactose or lack a properly functioning enzyme required for the breakdown of lactose. Some can eat small amounts of lactose without having symptoms while others have to avoid it completely.

Low Lactose Diet

Generally eliminates only milk and cow products. However, some can tolerate milk in small amounts (2 oz) throughout the day or as part of a meal. Some can tolerate small amounts of yogurt.These patients can experiment to find a level of lactose they can tolerate. It is generally better tolerated with a meal, than by itself. Some people can build up their tolerance by gradually introducing the lactose-contained foods.

All lactose products must be eliminated, including foods that are prepared with milk, both at home and in commercially packaged foods. These people may be able to use 100% lactose free milk or soy milk. Labels should always be read carefully.

Lactose Digestive Aids and Products

Many people can drink milk in which the lactose has been partially or completely broken down.

Lactose Free Diet

Food Groups

Group	Lactose-Free	Lactose-Containing
Milk & milk products	100% lactose-free milk, soy milk	Milk; whole, skim, 1%, 2%, buttermilk, sweet acidophilus milk: evaporated milk, powdered dry milk, sweetened condensed milk, instant hot chocolate and cocoa mixes, cheese
Vegetables	Fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables without added milk or milk products. Tomato paste and purée, tomato and spaghetti sauces without cheese	Creamed or breaded vegetables, packaged dried potato mixes, tomato and spaghetti sauce with cheese
Fruits	Fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits	None
Breads & Grains	Water-based breads (Italian, French, Jewish rye), rice and popcorn cakes, graham crackers, rusky, Pareve Jewish bakery products, cooked and dry cereals without added milk solids, pasta, rice, oats, barley, cornmeal, bulgar, and other plain grains	The following made with milk or milk products, breads, rolls, biscuits, muffins, pancakes, sweet rolls, waffles, crackers, instant and dried cereals with added milk products, some packaged grain mixes, packaged macaroni mixes
Meat & meat substitutes	Plain beef, lamb, veal, pork, wild game, poultry,fish, shellfish, eggs, kosher prepared meat products, peanut butter, peas, beans, or lentils (dried, canned, or frozen), all nuts and seeds, tofu	Eggs, fish, meat, or poultry (breaded or creamed), luncheon meats, sausage, frankfurters, some brands of egg substitutes and powdered eggs
Fats & oils	Bacon, butter, margarine without milk derivatives (whey), salad dressing without cheese or milk, vegetable oils, olives, most non-dairy creamers, mayonnaise, gravy made without milk or milk products	Cream, half & half, sour cream cheese, chip dips, some types of margarine, salad dressing with cheese or milk, whipped toppings
Sweets & desserts	Angel food cake, gelatin, fruit ice, fruit popsickles, fruit roll ups, hard candy, gum drops, jellybeans, licorice, fruit pie fillings	Ice cream, ice milk, some brands or sherbet, soufflé, mousse, pudding, custards, packaged dessert mixes, milk chocolate, toffee, caramel, butterscotch
Beverages	Postum, lactose-free nutritional supplements (Sustacal, Ensure, Nutren), vegetable juice, fruit juices and drinks, tea, carbonated beverages, beer, wine, distilled spirits (gin, rum, etc.), cocoa powder, most coffee	Instant iced tea, instant coffee, Ovaltine, chocolate drink mixes, cordials, liqueurs, milk-based nutritional supplements (carnation instant breakfast)
Soups	Bouillon, broth, meat or vegetable stock soups, bisques and chowders made with water, soy milk, or 100% lactose-free milk	Cream soup, canned and dehydrated soup mixes containing milk products
Miscellaneous	Popcorn, plain pretzels, plain potato and corn tortilla chips, salsa, mustard, ketchup, pickles, uncreamed horseradish, relish, sace3s made without milk or milk products, sugar, honey, jams and jellies, maple and corn syrup, molasses, herbs, spices, salt, pepper	Cream or cheese sauces, ranch-style or cheese-flavored snack pretzels or chips, cheese curls, sugar substitutes with lactose asses, medications and vitamin/mineral supplements with lactose added

Low Lactose Diet