Andy Montoya
Many people believe that lactose intolerance means they cannot eat cheese. However, this is a misconception, as most of the lactose in milk is removed during the cheesemaking process. While some cheeses are high in lactose, there are several types of cheese that those sensitive to lactose can still enjoy in moderation, including feta, gouda, and parmesan. Lactose-free cheese is also available, allowing people with lactose intolerance to enjoy a wider variety of cheeses.
Characteristics and values of lactose-free cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lactose content | 0g of lactose per serving |
| Varieties | Soft, semi-soft, semi-hard, hard, aged, goat's cheese, blue cheese, cheddar, etc. |
| Taste | Same as regular cheese |
| Texture | Smooth, creamy, crumbly, semi-sturdy, supple, rich, etc. |
| Brands | Cabot, Arla |
| Consumption | Can be consumed by lactose-intolerant people |
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What You'll Learn
Lactose-free cheese exists
The good news is that most of the lactose in milk is removed during the cheese-making process. The remaining lactose is then fermented into lactic acid. This means that any cheese aged 2 months or more is virtually lactose-free. Hard cheeses, in particular, contain less than one gram of lactose per 1.5-ounce serving.
There are several types of cheeses that those sensitive to lactose can still enjoy in moderation. For example, feta is practically lactose-free, with only between 0.5% and 1.5% lactose, and it's also lower in fat than many cheeses. Parmigiano Reggiano is another option, as it is legally lactose-free. Other lactose-free options include blue cheese, cheddar, and goat's cheese.
For those who are lactose intolerant, consuming ingredients with high levels of lactose can cause uncomfortable digestive issues, from bloating and gas to cramping and serious stomach pain. However, by knowing which cheeses are low in lactose, those who are lactose intolerant can still enjoy cheese without experiencing these unpleasant symptoms.
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Lactose-intolerant people can eat some cheese
It is a common misconception that lactose-intolerant people cannot eat cheese. While it is true that dairy products such as milk and ice cream contain high levels of lactose, the cheesemaking process removes most of the lactose, converting it into lactic acid. As a result, many types of cheese are naturally low in lactose and can be enjoyed by lactose-intolerant individuals.
Hard, aged cheeses, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, are known to have very low levels of lactose, with some varieties being legally lactose-free. These cheeses have been aged for several months, which reduces the lactose content. Other hard cheeses that are low in lactose include Gouda, Manchego, and Midnight Moon Gouda.
In addition to hard cheeses, there are also lactose-free soft cheeses available. Goat's cheese, for example, can be soft and creamy or have a crumblier texture, similar to regular cheese. Soft cheeses are often used as spreads or in cooking and come in various shapes, sizes, and flavours. Lactose-free blue cheese is another option, with the same crumbly and creamy texture as its regular counterpart.
While not completely lactose-free, some fresh cheeses like feta contain very low levels of lactose (between 0.5% and 1.5%). Ricotta cheese, while creamier, typically contains between 1% and 5% lactose, so it may be tolerable for some lactose-intolerant individuals in moderation. It is generally recommended to stick to fresher varieties of cheese and avoid creamier options.
For those who are highly sensitive to lactose, there are also lactose-free cheese options available from brands like Cabot Creamery. Their cheddars, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and Muenster cheeses are advertised as having very little to no lactose per serving (less than 0.1 grams per 1oz serving).
In summary, lactose-intolerant individuals can still enjoy a variety of cheeses, especially those that are hard, aged, or specifically labelled as lactose-free. However, it is important to remember that the tolerance level varies from person to person, and some experimentation may be necessary to determine which cheeses can be comfortably consumed.
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Hard cheeses have less lactose
Lactose intolerance is a gut-bloating condition that affects the digestive system. It occurs when the body lacks the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in dairy. Lactose intolerance is not an allergy, but rather an evolutionary mechanism that weans babies off breast milk as they get older. This is why young children rarely show symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Hard cheeses contain less than one gram of lactose per 1.5 ounces, while soft, fresh, and processed cheeses like cottage cheese, ricotta, and burrata contain significantly more lactose than hard cheeses. However, they still have far less lactose than milk, yogurt, and ice cream. The longer a cheese has been aged, the less lactose it will have, as the lactose in cheese is converted to lactic acid over time. Aged cheeses, both hard and soft, like Parmesan or Brie, contain so little lactose that it is virtually undetectable.
For those who are lactose intolerant, eating ingredients with high levels of lactose can cause uncomfortable digestive issues, including bloating, gas, cramping, and stomach pain. However, not all cheeses are forbidden on a low-lactose diet. Lactose-intolerant individuals can still enjoy several types of cheese in moderation. Feta, for example, contains only 0.5% to 1.5% lactose and is also lower in fat than many other cheeses. Other low-lactose cheeses include Gouda, goat cheese, and Colby Jack cheese.
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Soft cheeses have more lactose
Lactose intolerance is a common condition that affects a large percentage of the global population. It is caused by the body's inability to produce lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. Fortunately, for those affected, not all dairy products are off-limits. There are several types of cheeses that are low in lactose and can be enjoyed in moderation.
Soft cheeses, such as Brie, Camembert, cottage cheese, ricotta, and burrata, tend to have higher levels of lactose compared to hard cheeses. This is because the whey, which contains most of the lactose, is removed at a later stage in the cheesemaking process, allowing more time for lactose to be absorbed by the curds. Additionally, soft cheeses are often fresher and less aged, leaving less time for the lactose to be converted into lactic acid.
However, it is important to note that even within the category of soft cheeses, the lactose content can vary. For example, Brie and Camembert have a lactose range of 0-2%, while cottage cheese, ricotta, and burrata typically contain 1 to 6 grams of lactose per serving. Despite having higher lactose levels than hard cheeses, these soft cheeses still contain far less lactose than milk, yogurt, or ice cream, which can have 6 to 14 grams of lactose per serving.
While soft cheeses may have more lactose, it doesn't mean they are completely off-limits for those with lactose intolerance. The tolerance level varies from person to person, and some individuals may be able to consume small amounts of lactose without experiencing any discomfort. Additionally, the serving size plays a role, as most people do not consume just one ounce of cheese in a single sitting.
For those who are lactose intolerant, it is advisable to choose cheeses with lower lactose content and to consume them in moderation. Hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Swiss, and Colby, tend to have less than one gram of lactose per serving, making them a better option for those sensitive to lactose. However, it is always important to monitor individual tolerance levels and adjust consumption accordingly.
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Lactose-free cheese options
There are many options for those who are lactose intolerant but still want to enjoy cheese. Firstly, it is important to note that most of the lactose in milk is removed during the cheese-making process, and the remaining lactose is fermented into lactic acid. This means that most cheeses are naturally low in lactose, and some are virtually lactose-free.
Hard, aged cheeses are a good option for those avoiding lactose, as they contain less than 1 gram of lactose per 1.5-ounce serving. Examples of hard cheeses that are naturally low in lactose include Parmigiano Reggiano, Manchego, and Midnight Moon Gouda. Feta is another option, as it contains only 0.5% to 1.5% lactose and is also lower in fat than many other cheeses. While soft, fresh, and processed cheeses such as cottage cheese, ricotta, and burrata contain more lactose than hard cheeses, they still have far less lactose than milk, yogurt, and ice cream.
Some companies, such as Cabot Creamery, also offer lactose-free cheese options, including cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and Muenster cheeses, which contain very little to no lactose per serving (less than 0.1 grams per 1-ounce serving). Arla UK also offers a range of lactose-free cheeses, including blue cheese, goat's cheese, and semi-soft cheeses.
It is important to note that the tolerance for lactose varies from person to person, and some people who are lactose intolerant may be able to handle small amounts of lactose without experiencing any symptoms. Additionally, there are steps that can be taken to alleviate symptoms if lactose is accidentally consumed, such as taking lactase supplements and drinking plenty of water.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are several types of lactose-free cheese, including soft and hard cheeses.
Some examples of lactose-free cheese include feta, goat's cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano, and cheddar.
If you accidentally consume high-lactose cheese, you can take over-the-counter lactase supplements, drink plenty of water, and avoid more lactose to help manage any discomfort.
