Lactose-Free Cheese: Types And Tasty Options

what kinds of cheese are lactose free

Lactose-intolerant cheese lovers need not despair: there are plenty of cheeses that are naturally low in lactose. Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack are virtually lactose-free, according to the Cheese Professor. Aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano are also virtually lactose-free. Blue cheese has a 0-2.5% lactose range, and gouda is another option for those who are lactose intolerant.

Characteristics Values
Hard cheeses Cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Parmigiano Reggiano, Gouda
Aged cheeses Parmigiano Reggiano
Blue cheese 0-2.5% lactose range
Lactose-free and dairy-free cheeses Cabot Creamery offers lactose-free cheddar

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Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack are virtually lactose-free

Soft or creamy cheeses such as ricotta and cream cheese are higher in lactose and should be avoided by those who are lactose intolerant. However, some soft cheeses such as blue cheese have a low lactose range of 0-2.5%.

If you want to avoid dairy completely, there are lactose-free and dairy-free cheeses available. You could also try yogurt with live and active bacterial cultures, which can help break down the lactose.

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Aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano are virtually lactose-free

Other hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack are also virtually lactose-free. However, soft or creamy cheeses such as ricotta and cream cheese are higher in lactose and should be avoided by those with lactose intolerance.

Blue cheese has a 0-2.5% lactose range, and can be crumbled into a salad or grain bowl, or used to make a dipping sauce. Gouda is another option for those who are lactose intolerant, and can be used in grilled cheese, on a cheese platter or in a cheese puff.

If you want to avoid dairy completely, there are also lactose-free and dairy-free cheeses available.

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Gouda is a lactose-free cheese

Gouda is a slightly sweet, semi-hard cheese that is great in a grilled cheese sandwich, as part of a cheese platter or in a cheese puff. It's also a good option for those who are lactose intolerant as it's a hard cheese, and so is naturally low in lactose.

Lactose is a form of sugar, so any cheeses without sugar will be lactose-free. However, there are a lot of other sugars in cheese, so it's worth bearing this in mind if you want to try as many different cheeses as possible.

If you want to avoid dairy completely, there are also lactose-free and dairy-free cheeses available.

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Blue cheese has a 0-2.5% lactose range

Other cheeses that are naturally low in lactose include hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack. Aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano are also virtually lactose-free.

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Lactose-free and dairy-free cheeses are available

Some other cheeses that are naturally low in lactose include gouda and blue cheese, which has a 0-2.5% lactose range. However, soft or creamy cheeses such as ricotta and cream cheese are higher in lactose and should be avoided by those who are lactose intolerant.

If you want to avoid dairy completely, there are lactose-free and dairy-free cheese alternatives available. These are often made from plant-based sources such as nuts or soy, and can be a good option for those with dietary restrictions.

It's worth noting that the level of lactase non-persistence varies from person to person, so while some people with lactose intolerance may be able to handle small amounts of lactose, others may need to avoid it completely.

Frequently asked questions

Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella, Monterey Jack and gouda are virtually lactose-free.

Yes, aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano are virtually lactose-free.

Soft or creamy cheeses like ricotta and cream cheese are higher in lactose.

According to research by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), people with lactose intolerance can handle up to 12 grams of lactose daily or a cup of milk.

Yes, plain, low-fat yogurt with live and active bacterial cultures is a good option for people with lactose intolerance as the bacterial cultures help break down the lactose.

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