Lactose intolerance Hard cheeses like Parmesan hardly contain lactose

Parmesan & Co .: Many hard cheeses hardly contain lactose
"No cheese for me, please" - People who are struggling with lactose intolerance often have to say thank you when inviting food when it comes to certain foods. But there are alternatives: First, there are hard cheeses that contain hardly any lactose and on the other hand vegan "cheese".
By nature, low in lactose
People who have a milk sugar intolerance (lactose intolerance), after consuming milk and dairy products usually react with various ailments such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and nausea. Those affected must therefore be careful with certain foods. Of course, cheese is also a dairy product, but there are many varieties that are naturally low in lactose (milk sugar). The consumer initiative has pointed this out in a communication.

Hard cheese like Parmesan contains little lactose and can serve as an alternative to lactose intolerance. (Image: Xavier / fotolia.com)

Vegan cheese as an alternative
This has to do with the fact that during the maturation process milk sugar is broken down in the cheese. Especially hard cheeses such as Parmesan or mountain cheese, which ripen for a very long time, therefore hardly contain lactose. Because of this, people with lactose intolerance often tolerate such products anyway. However, those who have an allergy to milk protein, must strictly do without dairy products, because even the smallest amounts can cause discomfort. For them or even if vegans come over for dinner, offers vegan "cheese". In the specialized trade one finds for example vegan Parmesan from Hefeflocken, Cashewkernen, salt and garlic powder.

Markings often unnecessary and confusing
The Consumer Initiative also notes in its Communication that the labels "lactose free" or "low in lactose" found on more and more foods are often unnecessary. Often products are advertised that contain little or almost no milk sugar anyway. "It can cause confusion when one gouda is labeled lactose free and another is not. In addition, the products labeled lactose free or low are often significantly more expensive than comparable products without this indication ", explained Alexandra Borchard-Becker, nutrition scientist at the Consumer Initiative. Consumer advocates criticized the frequent rip-off with expensive lactose-free foods years ago. (Ad)