Frederick Jace
Several people are unable to enjoy their favourite foods such as bread, baked goods, milk chocolate etc due to suffering from a lactose intolerance. This is a very common health condition that affects many people. When lactose is consumed, it causes the body to face difficulty digesting the sugar. This can lead to many unpleasant symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, and diarrhoea.
Here are a couple of tips you can follow if you have a compromised digestive system.
Getting Tested
And if you’re wondering why a lactose intolerance test is essential in the first place, the answer is simple. Several symptoms of lactose intolerance overlap with other digestive disorders such as coeliac disease. So knowing what disease they’re working with helps doctors create a targeted treatment plan.
Some examples of a lactose intolerance test are:
- Hydrogen breath test
- Lactose tolerance test or glucose blood test
- Stool acidity test (commonly used for children)
Avoiding Dairy
Eliminating dairy products from your dietary habits may seem overwhelming and impossible at first. But let us assure you that you can have just as delicious meals without lactose. Since dairy happens to be our primary source of calcium, a mineral that strengthens the bones, it’s essential to find alternatives.
This also means being extra vigilant when purchasing packaged or canned foods and always reading labels before bringing them home.
Here’s a list of some foods you can enjoy instead:
- Fresh fruits such as oranges
- Milk alternatives such as oat and almond milk
- Green leafy vegetables such as lettuce and kale
- Dry fruits, nuts, and seeds
- Beans
- Calcium supplements
… But Not Completely
Contrary to popular belief, dairy isn’t entirely off the table. You can still relish a few guilty pleasures here and there without going all out.
This involves knowing your limit and possibly even increasing your tolerance levels by incorporating increasing lactose amounts into your diet. Doing this can trick your body into behaving normally to an increased lactose dosage.
Adding Synthetic Lactase
Your body cannot produce substantial amounts of lactase, the digestive enzyme. So, why not just add your own?
You’d probably be surprised to hear that you can purchase over-the-counter lactase-containing supplements, which you can add to lactose-containing foods. The pill works its magic by digesting the lactose and breaking it down into simpler sugars for you.
Keeping Track
Keeping a track record of your meals, calcium intake, and other nitty-gritty pointers can help you stay on top of your dietary habits without compromising nutrition. This means if you are called back for routine tests, you can inform your doctor of your dietary habits which can aid further treatment and medical decisions.
Thriving, Not Surviving
It is more than possible to live a healthy, full life with a lactose intolerance. In addition, it is important to understand that there are always alternatives available to you so that you can thrive in your health, lifestyle choices, and dietary changes.
