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Lactose intolerance
What is hidden lactose?
Although milk and foods made from milk are the only natural sources, lactose is often added to prepared foods. People with very low tolerance for lactose should know about the many food products that may contain even small amounts of lactose, such as
• bread and other baked goods
• processed breakfast cereals
• instant potatoes, soups, and breakfast drinks
• margarine
• lunch meats (other than kosher)
• salad dressings
• candies and other snacks
• mixes for pancakes, biscuits, and cookies
• powdered meal-replacement supplements
Some products labeled nondairy, such as powdered coffee creamer and whipped toppings, may also include ingredients that are derived from milk and therefore contain lactose.
Smart shoppers learn to read food labels with care, looking not only for milk and lactose among the contents, but also for such words as whey, curds, milk by-products, dry milk solids, and nonfat dry milk powder. If any of these are listed on a label, the product contains lactose.
In addition, lactose is used as the base for more than 20 percent of prescription drugs and about 6 percent of over-the-counter medicines. Many types of birth control pills, for example, contain lactose, as do some tablets for stomach acid and gas. However, these products typically affect only people with severe lactose intolerance.
How is lactose intolerance diagnosed?
