Is a dairy-free diet healthy?

The lowdown on lactose

Lactose is the natural sugar found in milk and other dairy foods. In healthy people, lactose in the diet is broken down during digestion by an enzyme called lactase. But in people with lactose intolerance, the enzyme is missing, or in short supply. This causes the lactose to remain intact until it reaches the lower digestive tract where bacteria break it down. Unfortunately, this process leads to bloating, gas, diarrhoea and pain.

Lactose intolerance in inherited in a small proportion of those affected and is more common in people with South Asian heritage. However, in the majority of people with the condition, the cause can be a bout of gastroenteritis, or complications relating to bowel diseases, such as Crohn's, or due to medical treatments, such as chemotherapy. For many of these individuals, the lactose intolerance will resolve in time.

It's worth noting that lactose intolerance is different from cow's milk allergy which is due to dairy proteins. Therefore, people with cow's milk allergy need to avoid all dairy foods but people with lactose intolerance can have lactose-free dairy products, and will often tolerate yoghurt, kefir and hard cheeses since the action of the microbes has lowered the lactose content.

"Cultured or fermented dairy products like yoghurt and cheese contain the least amount of lactose because the culturing process pre-digests much of the lactose," says chef Christine Bailey. “In addition, during the cheese-making process lactose is removed along with whey."

Which nutrients to watch

The main dairy nutrients which need to be replaced with other sources are protein, B vitamins, calcium and iodine.

Protein

High quality protein in vital for growing children so make sure your lactose intolerant child is offered fish, red meat, poultry, eggs, beans or pulses with each main meal. Adults generally get enough protein in their diets so don't need to make a special effort to replace dairy proteins. B vitamins are found in a range of protein-rich foods so, you’ll have enough if you are eating a variety of these.

Calcium

Calcium is important for bone development in children as well as maintenance of bone structure and density in adults. Non-dairy sources include green leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts and fortified foods/drinks.

Dietician Maeve Hanan says: "Lactose-free products are usually needed to provide enough calcium so choose fortified soya, oat, nut, or coconut-based milks, yoghurts and cheeses. You can also use milks marketed as 'lactose-free'. Ordinary hard cheeses (Cheddar, Parmesan, Emmental, Wensleydale) contain very little lactose and and can be another option."

Vitamin D

Calcium needs sufficient vitamin D to work effectively. As levels of vitamin D in the UK are too low, the government recommends a daily 10 microgram supplement in winter and spring for adults and children aged over 5 years. Groups at risk of low vitamin D status should take a year-round supplement and boost intakes up to 50 micrograms daily, which is well within the safe upper level of 100 micrograms. These groups include young children, breastfed babies, pregnant and lactating women, elderly people, and those with dark skins or who cover their skin for religious or cultural reasons.

Iodine

Iodine is now recognised as a nutrient of concern for many people, particularly teenagers and women of childbearing age. One study revealed that non-dairy milks made from soya, coconut, almond, rice and oats are too low in iodine, providing just two micrograms of the 150 micrograms we need daily. In contrast, a glass of cow's milk provides around 70 micrograms of iodine.

The author of the study, Dr Sarah Bath from the University of Surrey, remarks: "Iodine matters because deficiency during pregnancy affects fetal brain development and is linked to lower intelligence in children. Of course, milk is not the only way to obtain iodine. Other rich sources include eggs and seafood, particularly white fish such as cod. For people who cannot or will not eat these alternatives - such as vegans or those who dislike fish - it can be hard to meet the recommended iodine intake. Some people may need to consider an iodine supplement but avoid products based on kelp as their iodine levels can be too high."

Healthy eating options

Hanan says that she'd recommend the same varied and balanced diet for those with lactose intolerance as she would for anybody else.

"The only difference is replacing some lactose-containing foods with lactose-free alternatives. For example, a healthy snack could be a piece of fruit, a handful of nuts or seeds, wholegrain crackers or carrot sticks with hummus, a bowl of wholegrain cereal with a lactose-free fortified milk, or fruit with lactose-free yoghurt (or regular yoghurt if you are able to tolerate this)."

Bailey adds: "If you are lactose intolerant, you could still snack on hard cheese with crackers or have a pot of lactose-free yoghurt or dairy-free yoghurt with some berries. Good options for children and adults that provide calcium and magnesium for bone health include nuts and seeds, nut butters or tahini with oat cakes or lactose-free milk/fortified dairy-free milk made into a smoothie with fruit. Remember to include in your diet foods rich in vitamin D such as eggs or oily fish. Lunch options could be hard-boiled eggs in a salad, Spanish omelette, or canned mackerel mashed onto wholegrain toast."

Sweets and treats

These can be part of a healthy, balanced diet for active people within a normal body weight range. Aim for small portions and try not to eat them too often if the snacks are high in sugar.

Options for lactose intolerance may include jelly-type confectionery, boiled sweets, plain dark chocolate, sorbets, some types of biscuits, plain crisps, and cereal bars. However, it is important to check the ingredients label for milk or lactose as these may be listed in different ways - for example, whey, curds or cream. If milk is present, it will be shown in bold on the ingredients label.

Some ingredients may sound like they contain lactose when they don't, such as lactic acid, sodium lactate and cocoa butter. These ingredients don't need to be avoided if you're lactose intolerant.

In conclusion, a dairy-free diet can be healthy as long as the key nutrients are replaced. For children and young people, a daily multivitamin/mineral can help to bridge any nutrient gaps.