Lactose-free yogurt is made without animal dairy products, using alternatives such as coconut, almond and soy milk. It can be made by mechanically separating lactose or adding lactase to ease digestive concerns for people with milk allergies and intolerances. Probiotics in lactose-free yogurt may help ease digestive upsets.
Yogurt, a fermented food made from goat, cow or sheep milk, contains a sugar called lactose which can be difficult for those with lactose intolerance to digest. A lactose-free yogurt is often made without animal dairy products, using alternatives such as coconut, almond and soy milk. Some yogurt makers may mechanically separate the lactose from the yogurt to produce lactose-free yogurt, or they may add lactase to the milk to ease digestive concerns for people with milk allergies and intolerances. Many of these yogurts contain probiotics, good bacteria for the colon and the immune system, which resemble traditional dairy yogurt.
Traditional dairy products from cows or goats contain a natural sugar called lactose, a sugar that is very difficult for those with lactose intolerance to break down. This sugar is broken down by lactase, a natural enzyme in the body that most of these individuals don’t make enough of on their own. Many of the alternative yogurts for those with lactose intolerance are made with milk-based alternatives, such as soy or almond milk. Since these lattes don’t contain lactose sugar, they can’t ferment or thicken like regular yogurt without the help of additional sugars and food stabilizers.
In some cases, manufacturers of lactose-free yogurt simply remove the lactose from the yogurt itself. Since yogurt needs some form of sugar to aid in the fermentation process and probiotic production, a small amount of sugar is added to these yogurts. For those with a less severe case of lactose intolerance, it may be possible to consume lactose-containing yogurt that has had lactase added in dairy to help lower the lactose. This makes it easier for the yogurt to ferment and for good bacteria to form since the natural sugar is still present.
Lactose-free yogurt can be easily used in cooking and recipes, such as creamy sauces or smoothies, without compromising the taste or causing digestive upset. The probiotic content in lactose-free yogurt may help ease digestive upsets in some cases, as this form of good bacteria is needed in adequate amounts to break down food and other substances. It is possible for an individual to make their own lactose-free yogurt at home, but this requires access to non-dairy and yogurt starter kits. If using this option, it’s important to prepare the yogurt in a clean kitchen, as cross-contamination with other lactose-containing foods can become a problem.
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