Why is cheddar cheese lactose free

According to lactose intolerance expert Steve Carper , author of Milk Is Not For Every Body: Living With Lactose Intolerance , there are nine cheeses that contain less than five grams of sugar per serving, clocking in at about two to three percent lactose. For reference, whole milk has around 4. Of course, some people with lactose intolerance simply cannot tolerate any milk products without discomfort.

Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. Moderate portions of these cheeses can often be tolerated by people with lactose intolerance 6 , 7 , 8 , 9. Cheeses that tend to be higher in lactose include cheese spreads, soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert, cottage cheese and mozzarella.

The amount of lactose can vary between different types of cheese. In general, cheeses that have been aged longer, such as cheddar, Parmesan and Swiss, have low levels. People with lactose intolerance often find yogurt much easier to digest than milk 10 , 11 , For example, one study compared how well lactose was digested after drinking milk and consuming a probiotic yogurt Yogurts that have been pasteurized, which kills the bacteria, may not be as well tolerated Additionally, full-fat and strained yogurts like Greek and Greek-style yogurt could be an even better choice for people with lactose intolerance.

Greek and Greek-style yogurts are also lower in lactose because they are strained during processing. This removes even more of the whey, making them naturally much lower in lactose. Lactose intolerant people often find yogurt much easier to digest than milk. The best yogurt for people with lactose intolerance is a full-fat, probiotic yogurt that contains live bacterial cultures. Choosing a protein powder can be tricky for those who are lactose intolerant.

This is because protein powders are usually made from the proteins in milk whey, which is the lactose-containing, liquid part of milk. However, the amount found in whey protein powders can vary, depending on how the whey is processed.

The best choice for lactose-sensitive individuals is probably whey isolate, which contains the lowest levels. Nevertheless, the lactose content can vary considerably between brands, and most people have to experiment to see which protein powder brand works best for them. Diary protein powders have been processed to remove a lot of their lactose. However, whey protein concentrate contains more of it than whey isolates, which may be a better choice for sensitive individuals. Like yogurt, kefir grains contain live cultures of bacteria that help break down and digest the lactose in milk.

This means kefir may be better tolerated by people with lactose intolerance, when consumed in moderate quantities. Kefir is a fermented milk beverage. Like yogurt, the bacteria in kefir break down lactose, making it more digestible. Cream is made by skimming off the fatty liquid that rises to the top of milk. References 1. Food Standards Australia New Zealand. National Health and Medical Research Council.

Print Copy link. Was this useful? Both companies make great cream cheese subs. For a dairy-free grilled cheese, try the Vegan Chao Slices from Field Roast , which melt and stretch on par with Kraft singles. Relax and be free from anxiety Take back good sleep and help alleviate pain. This story was originally published in April and has been updated on Nov. Changes from the original include the addition of dairy-free options and edits to align the content with current Lifehacker style guidelines.

I see lactose free ice cream all the time and I always opt for the regular just because I worry it won't taste the same. Is it worth the trade off?