Most Common Lactose Free Milk Myths Debunked

Nowadays, there’s an abundance of dietary phenomenons to explore. From vegetarianism to flexitarianism, through to a plethora of milk alternatives, there are more ways to adapt what we’re consuming and how we’re consuming it than ever before. However, through the force of social media and ongoing research studies, consumers are constantly trying to separate the facts from the fabricated, sensationalist takes. We’re taking lactose as an example of this, debunking some of the most commonly dispelled myths and exploring the role that lactose-free alternatives could play in a healthy diet. Read on to learn more!

MYTH: Lactose doesn’t contain dairy

Lactose is a sugar molecule found in dairy products, so lactose itself doesn’t contain dairy — rather, it’s found within milk, cheese, yoghurt and other dairy foods. Ordinary cow, sheep, and goat milk contains lactose. Our bodies have to break down lactose in order to digest it, and this is done by the enzyme lactase, though around 65% of the world’s population doesn’t have this enzyme. More on this later!

MYTH: Lactose free products are the same as dairy free

This is definitely one of the most popular myths, and it’s not true. Dairy free products do not contain dairy products, instead they’re made using plant-based alternatives, from soya to hemp, oat, almond, pea & more. These products have absolutely no dairy content, and they’re substitutes for common products such as milk, yoghurt and cream. Lactose free products do contain dairy, they just don’t contain the lactose (sugar), so for this reason these products would not be considered the same as dairy free.

TRUTH: You aren’t always born with lactose intolerance

As we’ve outlined above, a significant amount of the population do not have the enzyme lactase, needed in order to break down and digest lactose. However, this doesn’t mean that people who produce enough lactase to break down lactose won’t experience lactose intolerance. This is due to the fact that the condition is often triggered by another health issue, which may permanently or temporarily inhibit the body’s ability to digest lactose. Most commonly, lactose intolerance may develop between the ages of 20-40, but there are reported cases in young children, too. Lactose intolerance isn’t always a condition people are born with, rather they can grow into it or experience it as a result of an underlying illness.

MYTH: You should only drink lactose-free milk if you’ve been diagnosed with an intolerance

While lactose free milk can reduce the symptoms of those who do have a diagnosed intolerance, it doesn’t necessarily mean that other people who experience similar symptoms won’t benefit from switching to lactose free products. Some of the most common symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, stomach cramp, and producing excessive gas. Sometimes, other dietary issues may result in similar issues, and it can be frustrating for people trying to identify the cause. If you are experiencing these symptoms regularly, then making small switches to lactose free and reducing your overall dairy consumption might help you to find a balance, while lessening the frequency of these uncomfortable symptoms.

Of course, we’d always recommend speaking to a health professional or nutritionist before making any major changes to our diet, so bear this in mind!

MYTH: There’s less nutritional value to be had from lactose free milk

As this is one of the most important myths to dispel, we’re going to break it down into a few facts! We’re going to explore three of the ingredients that cause the most concern for those who may be considering switching to lactose free, but don’t want to miss out on the nutritional value of ordinary cow’s milk.

There’s less calcium in lactose free milk

This is incorrect, and lactose free milk still contains a substantial amount of calcium per serving, promoting healthy, strong bones.

Does lactose free milk contain protein?

Ordinary milk is known for its high protein content, but if you’re wondering ‘does lactose free milk contain protein?’ then you’ll be pleased to find that our products actually contain more of the essential nutrient. We’ve achieved this through our ultra-cold filtration process, through which we filter down the protein content to make it even more concentrated. This way, we’ve made it a key component of our lactose free milk alternatives, without the addition of any artificial products.

Lactose free milk is packed with unnecessary sugars

This is another false belief about lactose free products, and our FitMilk range boasts 50% less sugar than ordinary milk! We’ve achieved this without compromising on taste either, so both our FitMilk Full Cream and FitMilk Light have the same velvety, rich texture.

Our overall take on the myth that lactose-free products are less nutritionally impressive than their conventional counterparts is a false belief. Our FitMilk formula has rebalanced milk into a formula that gives you the same impressive servings of phosphorus, vitamin B12 and riboflavin — essential minerals and vitamins for supporting day-to-day health, and all blended into our reimagined milk!

If you’re looking for a healthy, low sugar lactose free milk alternative for your fridge, be sure to check out our range of FitMilk, made using 100% Australian fresh milk, blended into a formula that is better for you, everyday. Fancy something equally tasty? Check out our Rokeby Farm protein smoothies and Rokeby Farm probiotic yoghurts.