Does lactose free mean dairy free?
There is a misconception that ‘low lactose’ or ‘lactose free’ should mean ‘dairy free’. The Australian Dietary Guidelines state that people with lactose intolerance can still enjoy some dairy.
Last updated 17/01/2024
Many people eliminate dairy foods from their diet completely when they believe they are lactose intolerant for symptom relief. With a diagnosis of lactose intolerance the amount of lactose that can be tolerated will vary from person to person.
For people with lactose intolerance, the Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend:
- Up to 250ml of milk (one glass) may be well tolerated if consumed with other foods or if intake is spread across the day.
- Most hard cheeses are virtually lactose free.
- Yoghurt contains ‘good’ bacteria that helps to digest lactose.
- Lactose free milks are available and contain similar nutrients to regular milk.
References
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian Dietary Guidelines Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia; 2013.
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