What To Do When You Can’t Have Dairy Anymore + Giveaway

A week ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a webinar with Celebrity Chef and LACTAID Spokesperson, Melissa d’Arabian.  Melissa d’Arabian is the LACTAID Brand Spokesperson and is a mom of four girls.  She is also the Author of NY Time best-selling cookbook, Ten Dollar Dinners, as well as a Celebrity Chef and Television Host.  She’s been featured on the TODAY Show with Kathie Lee & Hoda and also has 8 online videos available on food.today.com and youtube.com/LACTAID.

Also featured in the webinar was Michelle Harrington, R.D., the LACTAID® Regulatory and Nutritional Affairs Manager.  She is also a Pediatric Dietician at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia who is passionate about helping families find nutrition solutions in today’s complex world.

WHAT IS LACTOSE?

Let’s start with the basics.  What exactly is Lactose?  Lactose is the major carbohydrate in milk and other dairy foods.  Lactose (or milk sugar) consists of two simple sugars – glucose and galactose.  The Lactose must be broke down into glucose and galactose by the intestinal enzyme lactase before it can be absorbed by the body.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE LACTOSE INTOLERANT?

Most people produce the natural enzyme, lactase, which breaks down lactose (sugar in milk).  The amount of lactase your body produces will determine how much lactose your body can break down.  Everyone has different levels of lactose intolerance.  It is common for lactose intolerance to be progressive, with many people developing a lactose intolerance later in life.

WHAT IS LACTAID®?

LACTAID Products can help people who have a lactose sensitivity to digest dairy products without stomach discomfort so they can enjoy the creamy, delicious taste of dairy that they love.  LACTAID provides the lactase that the body can’t produce enough of, which helps you break down the lactose.  LACTAID® Dairy Products are 100% real dairy, just with a natural yeast-derived enzyme added called lactase and include Milks, Cottage Cheese, Ice Cream and Eggnog.  Plus, did you know that LACTAID® is the nation’s #1 lactose-free dairy brand?

ABOUT LACTAID® MILK

LACTAID is real milk – 100% lactose free – with the same nutrient profile.  The lactase enzyme is added to the milk to break down the lactose, resulting in a slightly sweeter taste.  LACTAID is ultra pasteurized and lasts longer under proper refrigeration – once open it should be consumed within 1 week.  LACTAID products are calcium enriched, which is perfect since we need about 1000 mg of calcium each day.  Did you know that LACTAID 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® ICE CREAM

LACTAID® Ice Cream is available in 5 flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Cookies & Cream, Strawberries & Cream, Butter Pecan  All flavors of ice cream except for Cookies & Cream are gluten free.  Did you know that a half-cup of chocolate ice cream is 160 calories and 8 grams of fat?  LACTAID suggests to eat half a cup with fruit.  All products have nutrition facts listed on the website: http://www.LACTAID.com/ products.

TIPS FOR EATING WITH LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

1.  Important note: if someone who is lactose intolerant consumes products containing lactose on an empty stomach, they will be more prone not to tolerate it. Eating lactose with other food will help you digest it more easily.

2.  Many lactose-intolerant people find that yogurt doesn’t bother them.

– Yogurt has live and active cultures in it that help digest the lactose.
– Greek yogurt has double the protein and fewer carbs, which means less lactose and easier to digest.
– If tolerated, yogurt is a great way to get nutrients and calcium needed in an everyday diet!

3.  Rule of thumb for eating cheese: the harder the cheese, the less moisture or whey in it—as a result, the less lactose in it.

– Always choose the aged cheeses, as they are 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

4.  LACTAID® cottage cheese is a flexible dairy product; since it’s a neutral cheese, you can go savory or sweet:

– Savory: add veggies or pesto to it; use in enchiladas or lasagna.
– Sweet: add applesauce, peaches or other fruit to it
– Melissa likes to blend it up in the food processor with an egg to taste just like ricotta

5. People often don’t know that butter is low in lactose – no need to cut it out ofyour diet (unless you are doing it for health reasons!)

COOKING WITH LACTAID®

LACTAID® does have a slightly sweeter taste, but typically no one notices when adding it in a recipe.  Melissa likes to put in in her coffee instead of flavored creamer or sugar.  Melissa finds that her kids prefer smoothies with LACTAID® compared to other milks, probably due to the slight sweetness.  Melissa says she simply swaps LACTAID® for regular milk in recipes, cup for cup.  What a great idea, right?  When substituting LACTAID® for cream in recipes, be sure to work in a teaspoon of cornstarch (this would be the same for any milk).  You can also substitute lactose-free milk for buttermilk by adding vinegar.

GIVEAWAY

1 lucky winner on The Mommy-Files will receive a coupon for a FREE LACTAID® product!!!

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