A lactose restricted diet eliminates only milk and milk products. Many people find they can consume milk products that are pretreated with lactase without problems. Some people find they can eat small quantities (equivalent to 1/2 cup of milk) of milk products without symptoms. Consume lactose containing foods with other foods. Heat lactose containing foods before eating (such as hot chocolate, milk-based soups and sauces). Select foods with "live cultures" such as yogurt or kefir (a yogurt drink).
A lactose free diet eliminates all products containing lactose. This includes foods that are prepared with milk, both at home and in commercially packaged foods. Avoid whole, skim, 1%, 2%, sweet acidophilus, lactose reduced, evaporated milk; acidophilus, and sweetened condensed milk, instant hot chocolate and cocoa mixes; cheese, and buttermilk. Exclude bread and products made with milk or milk products such as breads, rolls, biscuits, muffins, pancakes, sweet rolls, waffles, crackers, instant and dry cereals with added milk products, some packaged grain mixes, and packaged macaroni mixes. Avoid eggs, fish, meat, or poultry (breaded or creamed) products made with milk, luncheon meats, sausage, frankfurters, some brands of egg substitutes and powdered eggs. Avoid cream, half & half, sour cream, cream cheese, chip dips, some types of margarine (made with milk), salad dressing with cheese or milk, whipped toppings. Exclude ice cream, ice milk, some brands of sherbet, souffl�, mousse, pudding, custard, packaged dessert mixes, milk chocolate, toffee, caramel, butterscotch. Avoid chocolate drink mixes, cordials, liqueurs, and milk based nutritional supplements. Exclude canned and dehydrated soup mixes containing milk products, cream or cheese sauces, ranch style or cheese flavored snack pretzels or chips, cheese curls, sugar substitutes with lactose added, medications and vitamin/mineral supplements with lactose added.
