If you are suffering from lactose intolerance, then all you have to do is steer clear of any dairy food product in order to spare yourself from encountering stomach pain, abdominal distention, excess gas, diarrhea, as well as various non-digestive issues such as headaches, fatigue, mouth ulcers, and muscle and joint pain.
Sounds really simple, right?
Well, there is one problem: experts say that lactose tends to lurk in a wide variety of common supermarket items, many of which a lactose intolerant shopper like you consumes on a regular basis.
A lot of manufacturers actually add lactose to their goods as it’s a pocket-friendly bulking agent that allows for a creamy taste and also texture. At times lactose is tasked at preventing the formation of lumps of dry goods when mixed with water.
Below you will come across some food products that you didn’t know contain lactose. Do you have some family members and friends who are also lactose intolerant? Then make sure that you repost this article later on before you leave so that they, too, may also be able to steer clear of the following surprising food sources of lactose:
Processed Meats
We all know that adding processed meats to the diet is a terrible idea. That’s because they contain a lot of sodium that can cause high blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease, and also some other ingredients that are linked to some serious health-related matters such as hormonal imbalance and certain forms of cancer.
According to experts, a lot of processed meats such as cold cuts and hot dogs actually have lactose in them, which makes them contraindicated for anyone who is lactose intolerant.
Salad Dressings
Vegetable salads are undeniably healthy as they are packed with fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Sadly, the simple addition of store-bought salad dressing is something that can make a serving of vegetable salad less healthy — they are packed with sugar, sodium and other additives such as artificial colorings, flavorings and preservatives.
Many salad dressings available at your favorite supermarket actually have lactose in order for them to be able to possess the rich and creamy texture that everyone loves about them.
Refined Grains
Are you fond of starting your day with instant waffle or pancake mix? If you are someone who has lactose intolerance, then don’t be surprised if you wind up having some unfavorable digestive issues afterwards. Refined grain products such as breads, cookies, cereals, waffles, pancakes and others have lactose to make them cheap and tasty.
Whether or not you are suffering from lactose intolerance, it’s not a good idea for you to consume refined grains as they are practically devoid of dietary fiber and totally loaded with calories.
Instant Soups
There’s no denying that instant soups are food products that are highly suited for individuals who are leading very busy everyday lives or those who need to stick to a certain budget. Sadly, most of these convenience foods are really unhealthy as they are teeming with sodium and other highly questionable ingredients.
Wondering why canned soups are so smooth and rich? Well, that’s because their manufacturers put lactose in them. Needless to say, instant soups have to instantly go away if you are lactose intolerant.
Coffee Packets
Instant coffee is also perfect for people who are always in a rush and need a quick dose of energy. Unfortunately for lactose intolerant coffee lovers, instant coffee in packets tend to have lactose in them — lactose helps keep lumps from forming, and it also makes every cup of instant coffee velvety smooth just as everyone likes it.
By the way, experts confirm that packets of artificial sweeteners also tend to contain small amounts of lactose for the same reason why instant coffee mixes have it, and that is to keep lumps from coming into being.
