With the prevalence of soy products and other milk alternatives to choose from at the grocery store, it seems as if the number of people avoiding milk products is increasing. It is hard to distinguish whether this trend is due to lactose intolerance, or the rise of veganism and other lifestyle choices.
So how do you know if you are lactose intolerant? If drinking milk or consuming milk products causes any digestive problems, lactose intolerance could be the culprit. It is an uncomfortable though not serious condition, and is simply the result of the body not being able to break down lactose, the sugar found in milk. Common symptoms of lactose intolerance are gas, bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and swelling. There are different tests your doctor can do to see if you are, in fact, lactose intolerant, including a breath test, a blood test, and a stool test.
To control the symptoms of lactose intolerance, you must either avoid or consume less of foods that contain lactose. These foods include the more obvious choices such as yogurt, cheese and ice cream. But you might also find lactose in prepared foods like pancake mixes, cereal, bread, salad dressing, and even in some lunch meats.
Even if you have lactose intolerance, you may be able to tolerate certain foods better than others, so eating a small amount and then assessing how you feel is a good way to control the symptoms and still enjoy certain foods. Additionally, lactase enzyme caplets or drops are available at drug stores and grocery stores to help you better digest foods with lactose.
