5 TIPS FOR TOLERATING DAIRY

I know what you’re thinking… Dairy?!  When I’m lactose intolerant?!

Now just hear me out, friends.  Let’s clear up a few things about this common food frustration.  

Lactose intolerance is not a food allergy.  It’s actually a food sensitivity where individuals don’t have enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose (milk sugar).

Also, just because you experience tummy troubles or the bloat whenever you eat milk products, doesn’t immediately mean you have lactose intolerance.  These common symptoms could be caused by something else so it’s important to get an official diagnosis from your doc.
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And for those who deal with lactose intolerance on a daily basis, I have some real-life solutions that just might work for you!

So if you’ve been completely cutting out dairy because you’re lactose intolerant, you may be doing your body more harm than good.  (Especially if you aren’t incorporating a variety of other foods in replace of nutrient-rich dairy.)  Dairy foods are packed with calcium & vitamin D, two nutrients essential for health and associated with reduced risk for diabetes and high blood pressure.

1. GO SLOW.
   Start with just a small amount of milk every day and increase every few weeks as tolerated.  (It takes the guy about 3 weeks for you gut to adapt!)
   
   
2. SAVOR IT WITH SOLIDS.
   Mixing & blending milk with others foods helps slow digestion so your body has more time to digest the lactose.
   
   
3. GET CHEESY.
   Natural cheeses are very low in lactose, but full of flavor and nutrition.  And them to any meal or snack!
   
   
4. GO FOR THE YOG.
   The live & active cultures in yogurts helps your body more easily digest the lactose.
   
   
5. LOOK FOR LACTOSE-FREE.
   Lactose-free products are still real milk products with little to no lactose in them so can be used as equal substitutes for regular dairy products.

Here’s a quick list of low-lactose foods for you. ​
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​How will you plan to enjoy more dairy in your day?  Tell us in the comments below!

lindsey