Don’t risk a bad reaction this Christmas!
With up to nine million people at risk of an adverse reaction to their Christmas dinner, Lactofree, the UK’s only lactose-free dairy range, is on hand to ensure everyone with a lactose intolerance can enjoy a delicious festive feast this year.
Research shows that up to 15% of people in the UK are estimated to be lactose intolerant, so considering there are over 60 million people in the UK that is potentially a lot of Christmas dinner guests with a lactose intolerance. Thanks to Lactofree, you can still indulge and create dishes you might otherwise be missing out on, such as delicious bread sauce to enjoy with your turkey or creamy custard to enjoy with your Christmas pudding.
Sian Porter, Consultant Dietitian to Lactofree, offers a few top tips for surviving Christmas with a lactose intolerance: “When in the supermarket you should take extra time to read food labels – especially as some items are only eaten seasonally, so you may be unfamiliar with their ingredients. If you’re treating yourself to a homemade dessert like trifle, use lactose free ingredients to ensure you can experience the delights of Christmas without the worry of paying for it afterwards. Your non-lactose intolerant guests won’t be able to taste the difference either.”
“And if you’re lucky enough to have Christmas lunch made for you, make sure that the cook knows in plenty of time what foods might contain lactose or suggest that you will bring an alternative for everyone to try” Sian adds.
Festive foods containing lactose to look out for include:
Canapés that contain cheese or have cream on top e.g. blinis, scotch eggs , other items with bread crumbs
Some crisps, nibbles and dips
Creamy soup
Vegetables with added milk like mashed potatoes, cheese sauce on cauliflower, white sauce
Sausages (for pigs in blankets)
Creamy puddings, brandy sauce and custard
Cheese board, crackers and rolls
Butter and some margarines
Cream liquors
Lactose intolerance is the body’s inability to produce enough of the enzyme, lactase, in the digestive tract. Without it, lactose (the natural sugar found in milk and other dairy products) cannot be digested properly, causing symptoms such as nausea, stomach cramps and bloating after consuming dairy products. Interestingly, 38% of people who think they suffer from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) are actually lactose intolerant.
The Lactofree range includes; whole and semi-skimmed (fresh and UHT), hard and soft cheese, fruit yogurts, UHT portion packs, cream, spreadable and ice cream. For more information about lactose intolerance and Lactofree, visit lactoseintolerant.co.uk or for recipe inspiration go to lactofree.co.uk/recipe-club.