Nutrition Services for Cancer Patients

What Is Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance in a condition in which your body cannot digest or absorb the milk sugar called lactose. This is usually due to a lack of an enzyme, called lactase, that helps to breakdown lactose so the body can digest it. Individuals with cancer often have lactose intolerance. Symptoms include diarrhea, gas, bloating, and stomach pain or cramps.

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and sherbet contain lactose. Certain prepared foods have dairy products in them that also contain lactose. Many other foods may also have hidden sources of lactose. Check the labels of products to determine if they contain milk, milk by-products, or lactose. Look for terms such as:

• Milk
• Milk solids
• Skim milk powder
• Cream
• Buttermilk
• Malted milk
• Whey lactose
• Curds
• Margarine
• Dry milk solids
• Nonfat dry milk

These foods contain lactose and you should monitor your tolerance to them. Some foods that may have hidden sources of lactose include:

• Breads
• Candy
• Cookies
• Cold cuts, and bologna
• Hot dogs
• Sauces, gravies, and salad dressings
• Cream soup
• Dessert mixes
• Frostings
• Chocolate drink mixes

Many individuals with lactose intolerance do not have to eliminate lactose-containing foods entirely from their diet because they produce small amounts of lactase. Lactose levels vary in foods. Hard cheeses and yogurt have the least amount of lactose. Learn how much lactose you can tolerate by trying one-fourth cup of milk and gradually increasing your intake. Because lactose intolerance is not an allergy, there are no long-term health problems if lactose is accidentally ingested by an individual. Symptoms will subside as the lactose moves through the digestive system.

You may have to substitute other things for the dairy products you are used to eating in your diet. It is important to add other sources of calcium when foods containing lactose are omitted from your diet. You may also wish to try Lactaid© milk that has had the lactose reduced or removed. Your doctor or registered dietitian can provide more information about this product.

The US Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for calcium is 1,000 milligrams (mg) per day for adults to age 50. For adults over the age of 50, the recommendation increases to 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day. If you are not using milk or milk products, you may not be getting the appropriate amount of calcium needed to build and maintain strong bones and teeth. The following foods are good sources of calcium (a registered dietitian can also provide additional more suggestions):

• 50-100 mg of calcium
  • 1/2 cup cooked broccoli
  • 1/2 cup turnip greens, kale or collard green
  • 1/2 cup dried beans
  • 1/2 cup frozen yogurt or ice cream
• 100-300 mg of calcium
  • 1/2 cup tofu
  • 1/2 cup cooked spinach
  • 3 oz. sardines (with bones)
  • 3 oz. canned salmon (with bones)
  • 1 cups calcium fortified cereal
• 300-400 mg of calcium
  • 4 oz. canned salmon
  • 1 cup calcium fortified orange juice
  • 1 cup yogurt
  • 1 cup milk