Is it true that I should avoid dairy after I have had a bout of gastro?
Some people experience gut symptoms after a gastro episode when they consume dairy, even if they’re not normally lactose intolerant. Thankfully, this is temporary – go with your gut and continue to enjoy dairy foods once you find you can tolerate dairy.
Last updated 31/01/2025
During a bout of gastroenteritis, the gut becomes inflamed. In some people, this means they may temporarily lose their ability to produce lactase which is the enzyme that helps us break down lactose in dairy foods. Undigested lactose in the gut can lead to classic symptoms of lactose intolerance, including bloating, gas and diarrhoea.[1]
However, once the gastro has subsided (usually within 3-4 days), the gut begins to heal and your lactase enzyme production starts back up – this can take up to a few weeks.[2]
Gastro can be hard on the body and the gut, so it’s important to balance carefully reintroducing foods back in with resuming a normal diet as soon as you’re able. It is important to get back to a normal and healthy diet to help restore fluids, nutrients lost from vomiting and diarrhoea and build muscle stores back up. Dairy foods contain a wide range of nutrients essential to good health, including calcium, protein, zinc, vitamin A and electrolytes, which are especially important for rehydrating your body. For more information on the goodness of dairy, visit Dairy Nutrition | Dairy Product Essential Nutrients - Dairy Australia.
The time it takes to tolerate dairy foods again is highly individualised, as is the amount you can tolerate. Introduce small amounts of dairy at first, and see how your body responds. The aim is to build your tolerance back up to meet your daily requirements. For most adults, this is two and a half serves of dairy per day, with older adults needing more.
References
[1] Lactose intolerance - Better Health Channel [Internet]. www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/lactose-intolerance#causes-of-lactose-intolerance
[2] Dietitians Australia. Lactose intolerance [Internet]. Dietitiansaustralia.org.au. 2022. Available from: https://dietitiansaustralia.org.au/health-advice/lactose-intolerance
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