Andy Montoya
Lactose intolerance is a common digestive condition that affects many people. However, this doesn't mean that cheese is completely off the menu. While there is no perfect cheese for lactose intolerant people, there are some varieties that contain less lactose than others. As a general rule, the longer a cheese has been aged, the less lactose it will contain. This is because the lactose in cheese converts to lactic acid over time. So, which cheeses contain the least lactose?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack |
| Lactose content | Virtually lactose-free |
| Sugar content | Lower sugar content |
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What You'll Learn
- Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack are virtually lactose-free
- Lactose-free products have less than one gram of lactose per serving
- Aged cheeses have less lactose
- Butter has less than one gram of lactose per serving
- Cream has less than one gram of lactose per serving
Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack are virtually lactose-free
While there is no perfect cheese for lactose intolerant people, hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack are virtually lactose-free. This is because, over time, the lactose in cheese will convert to lactic acid. The longer a cheese has been aged, the less lactose it will have. Hard cheeses contain less than one gram of lactose per 1.5-ounce serving.
On the other hand, soft, fresh and processed cheeses, such as cottage cheese, ricotta, and burrata, contain significantly more lactose than hard cheeses. However, they still have far less lactose than milk, yoghurt and ice cream.
If you are lactose intolerant, it is recommended that you stick to the serving size and enjoy hard cheeses in moderation.
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Lactose-free products have less than one gram of lactose per serving
Hard cheeses, such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack, are virtually lactose-free. This is because the longer a cheese has been aged, the less lactose it will have. Over time, the lactose in cheese converts to lactic acid. Therefore, hard cheeses, which have a lower sugar content, are easier on the stomach.
However, soft, fresh and processed cheeses such as cottage cheese, ricotta, and burrata contain significantly more lactose than hard cheeses. Nevertheless, they still have far less lactose than milk, yoghurt and ice cream. According to the NIDDK's recommendations, most people experiencing lactose intolerance should be able to handle at least one serving of these types of low-lactose foods each day.
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Aged cheeses have less lactose
As a general rule, the longer a cheese has been aged, the less lactose it will contain. This is because, over time, the lactose in cheese will convert to lactic acid. So, if you have a sensitive stomach, you should avoid creamier varieties such as ricotta or cottage cheese. Instead, opt for aged, hard cheeses, which have a lower sugar content and are easier to digest.
Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack are virtually lactose-free. In fact, naturally-aged cheddars have 0g of lactose per serving. Other hard cheeses contain less than one gram of lactose per 1.5-ounce serving.
Soft, fresh and processed cheeses, such as cottage cheese, ricotta, and burrata, contain significantly more lactose than hard cheeses. However, they still have far less than that found in milk, yoghurt and ice cream: 1 to 6 grams/serving versus 6 to 14 grams/serving.
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Butter has less than one gram of lactose per serving
While there is no perfect cheese for lactose intolerant people, there are some cheeses that have less lactose than others. Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack are virtually lactose-free. This is because the longer a cheese has been aged, the less lactose it will have. The lactose in cheese is converted to lactic acid over time.
Butter, cream, cream cheese, and lactose-free products also all have less than one gram of lactose per serving. This is because, like hard cheeses, they have a low sugar content.
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Cream has less than one gram of lactose per serving
While there's no perfect cheese for lactose intolerant people, there are some cheeses that have less lactose than others. Hard cheeses, such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack, are virtually lactose-free. This is because the longer a cheese has been aged, the less lactose it will have. Hard cheeses contain less than one gram of lactose per 1.5-ounce serving.
Cream, cream cheese, butter, and lactose-free products also have less than one gram of lactose per serving.
Soft, fresh and processed cheeses, such as cottage cheese, ricotta, and burrata, contain more lactose than hard cheeses, but still less than milk, yoghurt and ice cream.
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Frequently asked questions
Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack are virtually lactose-free.
Over time, the lactose in cheese will convert to lactic acid.
Soft, fresh and processed cheeses such as cottage cheese, ricotta, and burrata contain significantly more lactose than hard cheeses.
