(HealthDay News) -- Lactose intolerance occurs when a person cannot properly digest a milk sugar called lactose. When people with the condition eat or drink dairy, they can suffer severe abdominal cramping and diarrhea.
Here are a few suggestions for people who are lactose-intolerant, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation:
- Drink lactose-free or reduced-lactose milk, or soy or tofu milk.
- Read labels, and know which foods are high in lactose.
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and other non-dairy products that are high in calcium -- especially leafy greens.
- Try eating yogurt. Although it's a dairy product, it's usually easier to digest.
- If you're craving cheese, choose hard or well-aged cheeses that contain less lactose.
- Try a dietary supplement, like Lactaid, if you plan to eat dairy products. The supplement helps break down lactose, reducing unpleasant symptoms.
