Lactose, Just One of the Many Things I Don’t Tolerate
Moo moo moo… more like boo huu huu! That’s what my brain sounds like every time I see a finger-licking good dessert but it contains dairy! As a self-professed big back who is lactose intolerant, this is my guide to a happy tummy before and definitely after a meal.
If you have never heard of the term “lactose intolerance”, you are one lucky fella. Lactose intolerance occurs when your small intestine produces insufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase. Lactase helps to break down lactose for your body to absorb. After consuming milk or milk-derived products, people who are lactose intolerant experience unpleasant symptoms.
Those like me, frantically run for toilet trips after eating an ice cream or pay an extra dollar to change your overpriced coffee from regular milk to oat milk, I feel you. This is a guide for my fellow lactose intolerant pals out there.
The hard truth is, there is no other way around it other than treating the roots of the cause! You can start off by eating small portions of dairy daily and increasing the intake gradually over time instead of completely avoiding it.
Besides, you can take lactase tablets before ingesting dairy products. My personal favourite is from the 21st Century, available at any local Guardian outlets. Another alternative is adding lactase drops to milk before drinking to lower your chances of experiencing lactose intolerance symptoms.
Otherwise, you can also pair your dairy products like milk with other foods instead of drinking it on an empty stomach. Solid food helps to slow down digestion, allowing more time for the body to break down the lactose.
Opt for dairy products with less lactose, like hard cheeses, and choose lactose-free or lactose-reduced products. If you love yoghurt, you should definitely get your hands on Liddells strawberry yoghurt! They are known to produce lactose free products without compromising the flavour.
Now you are good to set off on an all-you-can-eat dairy meal (okay, almost…)! I’m definitely ordering Wingstop with an extra large ranch after uploading this article.
