If you are lactose intolerant, any and all dairy products could be your nemesis. After eating dairy, do you suffer from nausea, gas, stomach pains, bloating and diarrhea? It doesn’t have to be that way. There are some yogurts you can eat with minimal gastrointestinal distress that can have powerful effects in your life.
Yogurt? Yes, those small, eight-ounce containers found on your grocery store’s refrigerated shelves. Ever hear of that saying, “Dynamite comes in small packages,” usually referring to small things or people that pack a big punch? Well, yogurt is the real deal. If we have to get specific, we are talking about Greek yogurt, that delicious creaminess that satiates appetites with only a small amount of tasty richness.
Because of the manufacturing process of Greek yogurt, which removes more of the lactose-containing whey, this kind of thick yogurt is higher in protein, minerals and vitamins per ounce than other yogurt -- all of which come into play for a healthier diet.
For best results, look for products with “live and active cultures” noted on the label of plain or low-fat Greek yogurt. All yogurts are made by bacterial fermentation of, in most instances, cow’s milk.
- For the lactose intolerant – The National Institutes of Health recommend that you keep lactose sources like easily digested yogurt in your diet. Try introducing small amounts until your stomach and intestines build up a tolerance for these few milk proteins. With the introduction of good bacteria, yogurt also can help your digestive system (gut) with diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, constipation and food allergies.
- Protein – Yogurt is an excellent source of protein. In an average serving, yogurt may contain 20 percent of the recommended daily requirement of protein for an adult. The proteins contained in yogurt are considered “predigested,” which makes them easier to absorb for those with digestion problems.