Greek yogurt has less lactose than regular yogurt, making it easier for people with mild lactose intolerance to digest. The amount of lactose in Greek yogurt varies depending on how much is strained, but it generally contains less lactose than American-style yogurt. The live cultures in Greek yogurt also make it easier to digest for those with lactose intolerance.
Greek yogurt is a type of yogurt that is made by straining extra liquid from regular yogurt. There is some lactose in Greek yogurt, but less than in regular yogurt or most other dairy products. Many people with mild lactose intolerance can eat Greek yogurt.
Much of the lactose in dairy products is found in whey, which is the sweet, liquid portion of milk. The amount of lactose is reduced by filtering this liquid. For comparison, a standard 6-ounce container (about 170 grams) of American-style yogurt contains about 11 grams of lactose. A 6-ounce container of Greek yogurt contains only about 7 grams of lactose.
The exact amount of lactose in Greek yogurt will vary somewhat depending on how much is strained. Some yogurt brands may advertise the amount of lactose in their yogurt, but others may not. In general, the thicker the yogurt, the less lactose it contains. Sometimes the amount of lactose in Greek yogurt can be estimated from the total amount of sugar listed in the nutrition facts. All of the natural sugar in yogurt is lactose, so the total sugar minus any sugar from fruit or other sweeteners will equal the amount of lactose.
Some of the lactose in Greek yogurt or other types of yogurt with live, active cultures will already have been digested by the bacterial cultures. Since Greek yogurt generally has a higher concentration of live cultures than most other yogurts, it is often easier for those with lactose intolerance to digest. However, people with severe lactose intolerance still can’t eat Greek yogurt.
Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the body cannot digest lactose or milk sugar. People with lactose intolerance lack sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose. Consuming lactose-containing dairy products may cause these individuals to experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, or nausea.
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