Hard, aged cheeses like Swiss, parmesan, and cheddars are lower in lactose. Other low-lactose cheese options include cottage cheese or feta cheese made from goat or sheep's milk.
Gorgonzola, parmesan, cheddar, and gouda are just some of the aged cheeses that can be beneficial to your gut health.
Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack “are virtually lactose-free,” Cifelli explains. Additionally aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano are virtually lactose free.
Sugar is the primary component of lactose that makes it difficult to digest, which means that aged, hard cheeses—which have a lower sugar content—are easier on the stomach.
Younger, moister, softer cheeses that are aged for only a short amount of time (such as brie), fresh cheeses (like mozzarella and feta), and processed cheeses (hello, Velveeta) have higher levels of lactose, so they're more likely to produce unpleasant effects.
Lactose intolerance is usually the result of your body not producing enough lactase. Lactase is an enzyme (a protein that causes a chemical reaction to occur) normally produced in your small intestine that's used to digest lactose. If you have a lactase deficiency, it means your body doesn't produce enough lactase.
Avoid processed cheeses, such as American and deli Swiss, which are blended with lactose-heavy whey to make them melt better. Also, be careful with fresh cheeses, like mozzarella and ricotta. They have more lactose than aged cheeses.
Cheese Substitutes
Aged cheeses such as cheddar, Colby, Parmesan, and Swiss have very little lactose, only about 0.1 gram per ounce. American cheese, cream cheese, and cottage cheese are also low in lactose. You can use hemp, rice, reduced lactose, lactose-free, or soy cheese in recipes to replace cheese.
Greek yogurt is one of the most popular dairy products at the moment, and just like all natural dairy products it contains lactose.
Dairy products like Milk, Cheese or Ice-cream
Milk, cheese, and ice cream are hard for your body to digest as they are high in fat. They should thus be avoided during a stomach upset. Plain low-fat yoghurt can, however, be good for your stomach health.
Typically, probiotics are in cheeses that have been aged but not heated afterward. This includes both soft and hard cheeses, including Swiss, provolone, Gouda, cheddar, Edam, Gruyère, and cottage cheese.
Don't Eat: Dairy
Milk, cheese, and ice cream are all no-no's with an upset stomach. They're hard for your body to digest, in part because they're high in fat. Plain, nonfat yogurt may be OK sometimes, but start with a little and see how it goes.
cheeses (Swiss, Parmesan, Gouda, Colby, Cheddar, Monterey Jack), lactose- free milk, lactose-free cottage cheese and rice milk.
Mozzarella cheese is relatively low in fat and rennet compared to other cheese varieties, making it a safer choice for those with acid reflux.
LACTAID® Milk
Having lactase added to the milk allows those who are lactose-intolerant to enjoy cow's milk without the digestive side effects of abdominal cramps, bloating, and flatulence. This milk is available in many formats, including flavoured varieties. Use as you would regular milk.
Dairy foods that have lactase enzyme added to them, like our lactose-free yogurt, kefir, sour cream and cream cheese, are also completely lactose free. Butter is also very low in lactose, as it is primarily composed of fat rather than lactose-containing milk solids.
Feta cheese is made with sheep's milk and is very low in lactose. It's a good choice for people who are lactose intolerant because it is lower in lactose than other types of cheese.
You can develop secondary lactose intolerance suddenly as a result of damage to your small intestine. Injury, surgery, infections or chronic diseases may damage the cells that produce lactase. This can cause sudden lactose malabsorption and intolerance, even if you could previously digest lactose.
Whilst regular milk is high in lactose, many common cheeses such as cheddar, feta and even soft cheeses like brie and camembert contain virtually no lactose in a typical serve.
Different dairy products have different amounts of lactose. Hard cheeses, like Swiss, parmesan, and cheddar have less lactose and don't usually cause symptoms. Ice cream and milk have the most lactose. Ice cream also has a high-fat content, which may allow you to enjoy it without symptoms.
Runny, green stool alongside other symptoms may indicate a cow's milk allergy.