Lactose Restricted Diet

Description

Lactose, or milk sugar, is produced exclusively by the bovine (cow) mammary gland. It is a sugar composed of glucose and galactose which has been shown to be hard to digest by Orientals, Blacks, Hispanics and some Caucasians. The inability to properly digest this sugar is a consequence of a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose. If it is not broken down, bacteria in the intestines ferment the lactose, producing gas and diarrhea. Culturing a milk product to make yogurt, kefir, cheese or buttermilk will eliminate the lactose. A lactose restricted diet is designed for those who cannot tolerate lactose.

According to the RDA's, a lactose restricted diet is adequate for all nutrients except calcium unless fermented (cultured) dairy products are used. In these cases, a calcium supplement of 800 to 1,000 mg per day would be considered desirable.

Sample Menu

Menu For One Day

Breakfast
1 orange
1 egg (poached or egg substitute)
1/2 c oatmeal
1 c soybean milk
10 shelled, unsalted almonds
1 slice toasted whole wheat bread
1 tsp margarine
Hot, noncaloric beverage

Lunch
1/2 c tomato juice
8 oz vegetable soup
1/4 c canned red salmon
2 slices whole wheat bread
1 c salad: romaine or Boston lettuce; sliced carrot,
1 apple cucumber, mushroom, bell pepper, celery
2 tsp oil & vinegar dressing

Dinner
4 oz broiled chicken breast
1/2 c cooked lentils
2/3 c steamed string beans
1 slice whole wheat bread
1 tsp margarine
4 apricot halves (low sugar)
8 oz soybean milk
Hot, noncaloric beverage

Total Calories For The Day: 1,665

Nutrient Content:

Calories:	1665	Fat:	26%
Protein:	15%	Cholesterol:	200mg
Carbohydrate:	59%	Fiber:	17g

Food Exchange List

Bread & Cereal Exchange List: 4 or more servings/day

Recommended

Whole wheat bread	White bread (enriched)
Cereals	Pastas
Potato	Popcorn
Brown rice	Beans (dried)
Green peas	Lentil

Avoid
Breads or cereals prepared with milk or milk products

Fat Exchange List: as needed; moderation advised

Recommended
Margarine prepared w/o milk
Vegetable oils
Cream - nondairy, powered
Salad dressing w/o milk products

Avoid
All others

Fruit Exchange List: 2 or more servings/day

Recommended
All

Avoid
None

Meat and Meat Substitute Exchange List: 6 or more servings/day

Recommended

Meat	Fish	Peanut butter
Egg	Soybean	Shellfish
Poultry	Tofu

Avoid
Any meat prepared or processed with milk products such as:
Luncheon meat
Cheese

Milk Exchange List: 2 or more servings/day

Recommended
Soybean milk and other lactose-free supplements
Yogurt and buttermilk may be tolerated by some lactose-deficient persons

Avoid
All milks and milk products which are not recommended

Vegetable Exchange List: 2 or more servings/day

Recommended
Fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables, both whole and juice

Avoid
Vegetables which are prepared or processed with milk or milk products

Miscellaneous Exchange List

Recommended
All beverages and soups prepared or processed without milk

Avoid
All beverages and soups containing milk or milk products

Note: Include six to eight cups of fluids, such as water, per day.

References

Alpers, D.H., R.E. Clouse & W.F. Stenson. 1983. Manual of Nutritional Therapeutics. Little, Brown, and Company, Boston. 457 pp.

American Cancer Society. Facts on Prostate Cancer.

Chicago Dietetic Association and the South Suburban Dietetic Association of Cook and Will counties. 1981. Manual of Clinical Dietetics. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia.

Kreutner, Patricia A. 1980. Nutrition In Perspective. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs. 665 pp.