Growing up, I know that kids were encouraged to drink milk and not just with their cereal or with snacks but glasses of milk. I suppose that was a delight that stuck with me to adulthood. It was never a problem until recently when I noticed that after drinking milk I would feel bloated, slightly uncomfortable and I decided to go to the doctor and find out why this was.
According to the doctor, I am slightly lactose intolerant. People might think that they are allergic to milk but actually their bodies simply cannot digest the main sugar found in milk which is lactose. After the age of five the body stops producing lactase that breaks down this sugar which leads to cramping, bloating and other body irritations. The truth is that only 60% percent on humans possess the ability to break down this sugar after childhood.
Switching to alternatives like Almond, Coconut or even Soy are popular options and can be found in most stores and coffee shops. Almond milk is made from ground almonds and water, it’s naturally lower in calories and fat than cow’s milk. Coconut milk is watered down to match milk’s consistency and fat content. It’s usually fortified with calcium and vitamin D. Soy milk is made from ground soybeans and water, it contains high-quality protein and is often fortified with B vitamins, calcium, and vitamin D, giving it the closest nutrition profile to cow’s milk.
Give it a try, you could possibly be a part of the 40% who might have a lactose intolerance too!