Why You Should Find a Milk Substitute if You’re Lactose Intolerant

Dairy products are well known for the quantity of calcium, protein, and phosphorus they contain. This, along with how delicious they can be, make them popular inclusions in many people’s diets. If you are lactose intolerant, however, consuming dairy products isn’t usually a good idea. It’s generally better to find a milk substitute instead.

Treat Your Digestive System Well

Finding a non-dairy alternative to milk can do wonders for your digestive system. Lactose intolerance is defined as the inability to properly digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. When people who have lactose intolerance consume milk or dairy products, they can experience uncomfortable symptoms. Some symptoms of lactose intolerance include gas, bloating, and diarrhea. By using a non-dairy alternative, you can avoid these uncomfortable, and sometimes embarrassing symptoms and give your digestive system an easier time of it.

Get Essential Nutrients

Aside from being uncomfortable, symptoms of lactose intolerance can make it difficult for your body to properly process food so it can get the nutrients it needs from what you consume. The part that is sometimes a little tricky is finding a replacement that offers you the same essential nutrients as dairy. Calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and vitamin B12 are just a few of the nutrients that milk can provide. They’re important to your health. For example, calcium is an essential nutrient that can strengthen your teeth. You’ll need to find other ways to get these nutrients in your diet. Try to find a milk substitute that has similar nutritional value and makes up for the rest of it in other areas of your diet.

Reduce Your Reliance on Medications

Being lactose intolerant doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t consume dairy products altogether. Some people find that they can tolerate dairy by taking medications that support the digestion of lactose. It’s a solution that works well for some people. Not everyone wants to be beholden to medications though. If you don’t want to rely on medications to help you digest your food, you can avoid that altogether by finding substitutes for milk and dairy products. 

The things you can do with dairy are as numerous as they tend to be delicious. That’s all well and good if you can consume dairy products. The problem is that not everyone can consume them without harming themselves in some way. This is why it’s often best for those who are lactose intolerant to find a milk substitute instead.

Check out this article on why you need more antioxidants in your diet!