Ever since my second child was born almost 13 years ago, I have been becoming more and more lactose sensitive each year. These days, I can no longer drink a glass of regular milk and if I eat ice cream… watch out! My almost 18 year old son was born with a lactose sensitivity so we always suffer together! Last week, through a The Motherhood blogger campaign, I had the great pleasure of participating in an online webinar all about Lactose intolerance and sensitivity. The webinar featured registered dietitian, Michelle Harrington, and the amazing celebrity chef, Melissa d’Arabian!
If you don’t know, Melissa has her own Food Network show and is the author of the NY Times bestselling cookbook “Ten Dollar Dinners.” She is also very relatable as a mom of 4 girls. When several family members started showing signs of lactose intolerance, she started using lactose-free LACTAID products, so they wouldn’t miss out on all of the dairy dishes and meals the rest of the family enjoys. This in turn led to her being an advocate and Spokesperson for the LACTAID Brand!
Last month, Melissa d’Arabian shared her Lactose-Free Blueberry Muffins recipe on The Today Show. Hoda is lactose intolerant and it looks like she was really enjoying the cooking segment — and the muffins! I also cannot wait to try the Lactose-Free Almond Mocha Iced Coffee from the show, it sounds so delicious and easy to make! Catch Melissa d’Arabian’s next Today Show appearance on June 25th, I can’t wait to see what recipe she’ll be sharing with us!
During our webinar, I was very surprised to learn some interesting facts about LACTAID and lactose intolerance from the knowledgeable Melissa, many of which I was clueless about!
Living with Lactose Intolerance – Did You Know?
- Eating lactose with other food helps you digest it more easily. I find this to be true. For example, I can eat mashed potatoes made with regular milk — most of the time.
- Many lactose-intolerant people find that yogurt doesn’t bother them. Now I know why I can eat Greek yogurt every day with no problem! Greek yogurt has double the protein and fewer carbs of regular yogurt, which means less lactose and easier to digest. It’s also a really great way to get much needed calcium and nutrients into my diet. YUM!
- The harder the cheese, the less moisture or whey in it — as a result, the less lactose in it. I had no clue about this one! Now I know why I can eat certain cheeses over others! Hello New York Extra Sharp Cheddar! Here are a few more tips on cheese and lactose:
- Always choose the aged cheeses, they’re lower in lactose.
- Aged Cheddar, Gruyère, Pecorino and Swiss cheeses will have less lactose in them.
- Melissa suggests introducing these aged cheeses back into your family’s diets in small amounts to see how much they and/or you are able to tolerate.
- Butter is low in lactose! I didn’t know this but we do use a lot of real butter for cooking so I suspected it since I don’t have a problem eating butter. This makes me happy because I love butter! Melissa says there’s no need to cut butter out of your diet (unless you are doing it for health reasons!)
I have tried LACTAID 2% milk in the past but I had absolutely no idea that there were so many other lactose-free LACTAID products on the market! When I heard that there is a lactose-free cottage cheese, I almost got out of my chair to jump for joy. I adore cottage cheese and hardly ever indulge because it makes me feel really yucky afterwards. Now, I will be able to enjoy favorite childhood treat that my Dad used to make – a bed of lettuce, topped with slice or two of pineapple, a big scoop of cottage cheese and a sprinkle of fresh pepper – Mmmm!
LACTAID also has lactose-free Ice Cream in several flavors like vanilla, butter pecan and cookie dough, lactose-free Chocolate Milk with NO high fructose corn syrup, lactose-free Eggnog and lactose-free Milk and Calcium Enriched Milk in Fat Free, Low Fat 1%, Reduced Fat 2% and Whole options.Plus, there are the LACTAID Dietary Supplements, so you can enjoy eating out and dining at friend’s houses without discomfort.
What’s so great about LACTAID products?
- LACTAID is real milk – 100% lactose free – with the same nutrient profile.
- LACTAID is ultra pasteurized and lasts longer under proper refrigeration — once open it should be consumed within 1 week.
- LACTAID is calcium enriched and provides 500 mg of calcium in each 8 oz glass— you only need two glasses of LACTAID to get your day’s worth of calcium requirements. — A regular 8 oz glass of milk has 300 mg of calcium.
- LACTAID can be swapped cup for cup in recipes that call for regular milk.
- LACTAID tastes great since it’s 100% dairy, while it does have a slightly sweeter taste than regular milk, it isn’t noticeable in recipes and everyday use.
- The lactase enzyme is added to the milk to break down the lactose, resulting in a slightly sweeter taste.
Where to find and how to stay in touch!
LACTAID Brand products are available in your grocer’s refrigerated and freezer section. Please check the LACTAID store locator to find products in your area. Also, be sure to peek at the LACTAID Recipes section for delicious lactose-free meal ideas. I’ll be sharing my LACTAID Recipe in an upcoming post!
To keep up to date with new recipes and LACTAID news, check out the LACTAID Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Win a FREE LACTAID Coupon!
Thanks to LACTAID and The Motherhood, one reader will have the chance to try LACTAID with this free LACTAID coupon valued at $5.99. It’s a great time to conquer your lactose intolerance or sensitivity! WooHoo!
Entry is super easy using the Rafflecopter form below. Just complete the first mandatory entry to open up a bunch of optional extra entries! Giveaway is open to U.S. residents ages 18+ only and will end on May 23, 2013 11:59pm est. Winner will be chosen randomly using the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted via email. Winner must respond to winner notification email within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn. Sponsor will be responsible for shipping prize to winner.
LACTAID via The Motherhood. Product information, giveaway prize and complimentary review product were provided. I truly am lactose sensitive and hope to help spread the word about this great 100% dairy lactose-free product! All thoughts and opinions are genuine and 100% my own.
About the Author
My husband is lactose intolerant, yet he won’t give up on the ice cream even though it kills him!
I’m not lactose intolerant, but my mother is. It crept up on her as she aged & Lactaid products have allowed her to eat the things she likes.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I am lactose intolerant- it happened about a year after i became a vegetarian when i was 12 years old! I am so glad there is lactaid i have used their pills and milk for years
my oldest daughter is lactose intolerant. She has always had issues. Even as a children she just naturally didn’t like milk, I guess because of her tummy issues but lactose intolerance wasn’t a big thing 30 yrs ago so we didn’t have the choices there are today.
I have always had it but I think that it has gotten worse over the years.
i think i am a little bit.
I can eat a little bit of dairy. If I eat too much of it, I get sick.