This diet is for individuals unable to digest lactose (milk sugar) due to the lack of the intestinal enzyme lactase. Traces of milk solids occur in a wide variety of foods. This diet restricts all milk products and combination foods containing lactose. Lactase deficient individuals vary widely in the ability to tolerate lactose, so the diet should be individualized, starting with lactose-free and advancing to small amounts of lactose if able. Calcium supplements are recommended for anyone eliminating all lactose from their diet.

Foods Eliminated

Avoid foods with any of the following ingredients: milk, milk solids, whey, casein and lactose.

All liquid milk or cream, whether used as a drink, on cereal, on fruit or elsewhere.
Cottage cheese and all other cheeses (yellow & white). Avoid all types of yogurt.
Creamed or milk-based soups, sauces or gravies and milk puddings.
Pancakes, waffles, muffins or biscuits made with milk.
Any desserts prepared with milk or milk products, including ice cream.
Anything with chocolate! Chocolate candy, chocolate cake and cookies, chocolate pie, Eskimo pie, chocolate milk and other chocolate flavorings, chocolate-coated nuts and fruits.
Margarines and dressings that contain milk products, butter cream, cream cheese, nut butters with milk solid fillers and sour cream.

Recommended Foods

All foods that are not specifically listed above may be eaten. You may eat all plain meats, vegetables and fruits. Also included are pastas, rice, barley, dried legumes and potatoes. Many people enjoy peach or pear juice or apricot nectar on dry cereal. Margarine works well on hot cereal. Fruit ices, sorbets, and fruit and juice bars often have no milk. Carbonated drinks, coffee and tea are allowed.

Low Lactose Tips

The foods listed below contain small amounts of lactose and can be tolerated by most individuals:

Butter
Cottage cheese, Farmer's cheese, ricotta cheese
Soft cheeses (cream cheese, Neufchatel)
Aged cheese (Swiss, American and others)
Commercial foods processed with small amounts of milk, milk products / solids or lactose
Whole milk is usually better tolerated than skim milk. Sweet acidophilus milk is not tolerated better than other milks.
Lactose is better tolerated when taken with other foods.
Commercial preparations of lactase (LactAid, Lactrase, Dairy Ease) are available and can be added to milk 24 hours prior to drinking, allowing for pre-digestion of lactose. A tablet form of the enzyme is available that can be taken prior to consumption of lactose-containing foods.