Lactose-Free Diet

Background

“Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey,” as the song goes. A lactose-free diet means eating foods that have no lactose. Lactose is a sugar disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose. The main source for this is milk. A lactose-free diet makes you sing no sweets for my sweet, no sugar for my honey, non-dairy for my food.

There are some people who are intolerant of lactose. They do not break down lactose well. The enzyme known as lactase which is responsible for breaking lactose in the body may not be enough or may not be functioning well.

Embracing the lactose-free diet prevents people who are intolerant of lactose from bloating, gas, cramping or diarrhea. These are the common symptoms with intake of food based on milk or milk products.

Lactose-free dietary plan provides meals which eliminate dairy products. To attempt at providing the basic nutrients the body needs, non-dairy sources of calcium are introduced.

Lactose-free diet is to address the needs of these people who have allergies and intolerance by eliminating the substance out of the daily intake. However, the diet is also to ensure that while there are some nutrients lost particularly calcium, non-dairy foods which are rich in calcium are included in the daily in take of the individual.

Pros

• It addresses a particular intolerance of a substance which benefits people who suffer from it.
• It may be self-regulated.

Cons

• There may be other important nutrients like calcium which may not be kept in balance due to elimination of dairy products.
• It may be monotonous for the palate.
• It is not encouraging for people who are tolerant of dairy products but would want to get fit.

Food and Recipe

Food preparations which are non-dairy based are recommended. To maintain the calcium requirement of a certain individual, the plan recommends non-dairy sources of calcium such as seafood, almonds, broccoli, oats, soy products and kidney beans. Calcium supplement may also be considered.

Exercise:

Eighty percent comes from what you eat. The rest is a package of exercise, sleep, proper hydration, cheerful disposition in life. Even lactose-free diet recommends a bit of exercise for those who are under the program.

Cardiovascular activities may be taken even three times a week. Walking as an activity is highly recommended.

Expense

You have to consult a dietician and health professionals to gauge whether your dietary plans suits your needs with your intolerance of lactose. This may be what you have to spend for. Food preparations may be comparably cheaper than the ordinary dairy-based meals.

Conclusion

I could not imagine ever eating my favorite dairy-based foods like ice cream and cakes. These are the indulgences in life which should not be deprived from anyone even once in a while.

It is so unfortunate for people who have intolerance for the substance lactose. However, the lactose-free diet is a great solution to this. It prevents one from the symptoms of the intolerance. However, it provides one with what he misses out in terms of nutrients by providing non-dairy foods.

You do not get your sweets for your sweet though, nor your sugar for your honey. However, you will be free of gas, bloating, cramps and diarrhea. The choice is still in your hands.

Have You Tried The Lactose-Free Diet?

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