Kamil Perry
Lactose intolerance is a common condition that affects a large portion of the global population. It is caused by a decrease in the body's production of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, which is a natural sugar found in dairy products. While it is incurable, those affected can still enjoy some dairy foods, as certain types of dairy have very little to no lactose. For example, hard cheeses like cheddar and parmesan, as well as matured cheeses like brie, camembert, and feta, contain almost zero lactose. This is because, during the cheesemaking process, most of the lactose is removed along with the whey, and the remaining lactose breaks down over time as the cheese ages.
Does white cheddar cheese have less lactose?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lactose content in cheddar cheese | Cheddar cheese has very little to no lactose due to the aging process. |
| Lactose intolerance | It is not an allergy but an evolutionary mechanism to wean babies off breast milk as they get older. |
| Lactose-free cheese | Cabot Creamery's aged cheddar cheeses, including Pepper, Colby, Monterey Jack, Gouda, and Muenster, contain 0 grams of lactose per serving. |
| Improving lactose intolerance | Ingesting small amounts of low-lactose dairy over time may help improve lactose intolerance. |
| Lactose-free dairy products | Greek and Icelandic-style yogurts, lactose-free milk, butter, cream, cream cheese, and hard cheeses like Swiss and Parmesan are lactose-free options. |
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What You'll Learn
Cheddar is aged longer, resulting in less to no lactose
Lactose is a natural sugar found in dairy products. Most of the lactose in milk is removed during the cheesemaking process, along with the water and whey. Whey is where most of the lactose is found, and it is separated from the curd, which eventually becomes cheese. While curds can contain a small amount of lactose, it breaks down as the cheese ages.
Cheddar is a hard cheese that is aged longer than other cheeses, which results in less to no lactose. Naturally-aged cheddars have 0g of lactose per serving. Other hard cheeses that are aged longer and contain very little to no lactose include Colby, Swiss, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack.
Aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano and mature cheeses such as brie, camembert, and feta also contain almost zero lactose. This is due to the way these cheeses are made, which removes most of the lactose.
For those with lactose intolerance, it is important to note that not all cheese is created equal, and the amount of lactose can vary depending on the type of cheese and how it is made. However, as a general rule, if a cheese has been aged for 8 months or longer, it is likely to have less lactose.
While there is no perfect cheese for lactose intolerant individuals, aged cheeses with little to no lactose per serving can be a good option for those looking to enjoy cheese without the uncomfortable symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.
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Lactose-intolerant people can eat cheese with less than 0.1g of lactose per serving
Lactose is a natural sugar found in dairy products. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body's production of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, decreases with age. However, this does not mean that those who are lactose intolerant have to give up all dairy products. Cheese, for example, contains very little to no lactose, depending on the type.
Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack are "virtually lactose-free." This is because, during the cheesemaking process, 90% or more of the lactose in milk is removed along with the whey. The remaining lactose in the curds then breaks down further over time as the cheese ages. Therefore, aged cheeses like cheddar, Parmigiano Reggiano, and gouda contain little to no lactose. According to the Australian Dietary Guidelines, lactose-intolerant individuals may be able to handle up to 250 ml of milk per day if it is spread out into smaller servings and consumed with other foods.
Cabot Creamery, a company that produces cheese, states that all of their aged cheddar cheeses, as well as their Pepper, Colby, Monterey Jack, Gouda, and Muenster cheeses, contain 0 grams of lactose per serving and are considered nearly lactose-free. Similarly, The Cheese Professor, a website dedicated to cheese, states that hard cheeses contain less than one gram of lactose per 1.5-ounce serving.
Therefore, lactose-intolerant people can eat cheese with less than 0.1 grams of lactose per serving, such as aged cheddar, without experiencing the uncomfortable symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.
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Hard cheeses like cheddar are virtually lactose-free
Lactose is a natural sugar found in dairy products. While lactose intolerance is incurable, it can be managed by consuming small amounts of low-lactose dairy. Hard cheeses like cheddar are a great option for those who are lactose intolerant as they are virtually lactose-free.
During the cheesemaking process, 90% or more of the lactose in milk is removed along with the water and whey. The remaining lactose is then fermented into lactic acid. Hard cheeses like cheddar are aged longer, which results in little to no lactose. A good rule of thumb is that if a cheese has been aged for 8 months or longer, it is likely to be lactose-free.
Some hard cheeses that are aged for a shorter period, such as Colby Jack and Muenster, contain very little lactose (less than 0.1 grams per 1-ounce serving). However, naturally-aged cheddars have 0 grams of lactose per serving and are considered to be lactose-free. Other hard cheeses that are virtually lactose-free include Swiss, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack.
In addition to hard cheeses, there are other dairy options that are low in lactose. These include butter, cream, cream cheese, lactose-free products, Greek and Icelandic-style yogurts, and lactose-free milk. So, if you're lactose intolerant, you don't have to give up all dairy foods. You can find a balance that works for you and still enjoy the benefits that dairy provides.
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Lactose is a natural sugar found in dairy
Cheese, a dairy product, can be a good option for people with lactose intolerance as it naturally contains little to no lactose. During the cheese-making process, most of the lactose is removed along with the whey. The remaining lactose in the curds breaks down further as the cheese ages. Therefore, aged hard cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and Swiss, as well as matured cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and Feta, contain almost zero lactose.
Cabot Creamery, a company that produces cheese, states that their aged cheddar cheeses, as well as Pepper, Colby, Monterey Jack, Gouda, and Muenster, contain 0 grams of lactose per serving and are considered virtually lactose-free. Similarly, other sources suggest that hard cheeses such as cheddar, Colby, Swiss, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack are also virtually lactose-free.
For those with lactose intolerance, it is important to note that not all cheeses are created equal. Soft, fresh, and processed cheeses like cottage cheese, ricotta, and burrata contain significantly more lactose than hard cheeses. However, they still have less lactose than milk. Additionally, yogurt is another dairy option for lactose-intolerant individuals as it contains helpful bacteria that break down lactose over time, even when stored in the fridge.
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Lactose intolerance is not an allergy
Lactose intolerance is a common digestive problem where the body is unable to digest lactose, a type of sugar mainly found in milk and dairy products. It is not the same as a milk or dairy allergy. Food allergies are caused by the immune system reacting to a certain type of food, which can cause symptoms such as a rash, wheezing, and itching. In contrast, lactose intolerance occurs when the body does not produce enough lactase, an enzyme needed to digest lactose.
Lactose intolerance can develop at any age, although it most commonly first appears in people aged 20 to 40. It can be temporary, for example, after an infection or due to another digestive condition. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include nausea, cramps, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. While it can cause great discomfort, it is not life-threatening.
To diagnose lactose intolerance, doctors may suggest a lactose tolerance test or a hydrogen breath test. The former involves drinking a liquid with a high lactose content and measuring blood glucose levels after two hours. If the glucose level does not increase, it indicates an inability to digest lactose. The hydrogen breath test follows a similar procedure but measures hydrogen levels in the breath instead of blood glucose levels.
Managing lactose intolerance typically involves limiting the consumption of lactose-containing foods and drinks. Hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Colby, Swiss, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack, are considered virtually lactose-free due to the aging and cheesemaking processes that reduce lactose content. Additionally, lactose-intolerant individuals can often tolerate small amounts of lactose without experiencing symptoms, and some may be able to improve their condition by gradually introducing small amounts of low-lactose dairy into their diet.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, white cheddar cheese has very little to no lactose.
During the cheesemaking process, 90% or more of the lactose in milk is removed along with the whey. The curd, which becomes the cheese, contains a small amount of lactose, which breaks down as the cheese ages.
Hard cheeses like cheddar contain less than one gram of lactose per 1.5-ounce serving.
Yes, other low-lactose cheeses include Colby, Swiss, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, Brie, Camembert, and Feta.
Yes, people with lactose intolerance can generally tolerate dairy products that are naturally low in lactose, such as hard cheeses.
