Several of my family members don’t tolerate milk well, in fact several of my babies needed to be on soy-based formula when I wasn’t nursing them. A few of us end up with upset stomachs when we drink milk or have it on cereal, but are OK when it’s used in something cooked or in cheese or yogurt. So when I was invited to learn more about LACTAID, I jumped at the chance.
The invitation included a briefing session with Melissa d’ Arabian and Michelle Harrington. Melissa is a LACTAID Brand Spokesperson and mom of four girls. Author of NY Times best selling cookbook Ten Dollar Dinners and celebrity chef, she appeared on the TODAY Show with Kathie Lee & Hoda on April 15 and shared breakfast recipes (check them out here) and will be back again on June 25th with an entree recipe. Michelle, R.D. and LACTAID® Regulatory and Nutritional Affairs Manager, is a pediatric dietitian at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia (where Ryan gets his treatment!).
During the session, I learned a lot about lactose, what it means to be lactose intolerant, and of course, LACTAID! First of all, lactose, which consists of two simple sugars – glucose and galactose- is the major carbohydrate in milk and other dairy foods. Lactose must be broken down into glucose and galactose by the intestinal enzyme lactase before it can be absorbed by the body. Most people produce a natural enzyme, lactase, which breaks down lactose, and the amount of lactase your body produces will determine how much lactose your body can break down. Everyone has different levels, and it’s not uncommon for people develop a lactose intolerance later in life.
This is where LACTAID comes in! The line of LACTAID products is more extensive than I realized, and include milks, cottage cheese, ice cream and eggnog. The dairy products are 100% real dairy, just with a natural yeast-derived enzyme added called lactase- that same enzyme that the body doesn’t produce enough of- which helps you break down lactose. This people who have a lactose sensitivity to digest dairy products without stomach discomfort so they can enjoy the creamy, delicious taste of dairy that they love! You can learn more about each of the LACTAID products here.
The best thing I learned, however, is that cooking with LACTAID is simple! You just swap it out evenly when a recipe calls for milk, cup for cup.
Would you like to try LACTAID? Just fill out the form below, and one of you will win a coupon for a free product!
I was provided with a free LACTAID product and additional information to facilitate this post though The Motherhood.
