The Lactose Intolerance Diet

What it is: The lactose intolerance diet plan is designed for people who cannot properly digest lactose. The diet features foods that are high in calcium, but contain little or no lactose.

How it works: Lactose is the natural sugar found in milk and dairy products. We are all born with an enzyme known as lactase, which allows us to digest lactose. Some people produce less of the enzyme, and therefore have a difficult time digesting dairy. Typically, as we age, our bodies begin to produce less lactase.

What you do: For those who can digest some dairy, the diet outlines which foods are low in lactose, and also provides calcium-rich meal alternatives for those who avoid lactose completely. Foods low in lactose include butter, cottage cheese and cheese. Some calcium-rich options that contain no lactose include calcium-fortified orange juice, soymilk, broccoli, canned tuna and oranges.

Benefits: The benefit of the lactose intolerance diet is that it provides those who are unable to eat dairy with healthy alternatives, and a means for getting sufficient calcium.

The Down Side: Because people who are lactose intolerant often avoid dairy completely, it is sometimes difficult to receive adequate calcium. Calcium supplements may be recommended on a lactose free diet.