Does Frozen Yogurt Cause Lactose Problems?
Frozen yogurt is likely to bother your stomach if you’re lactose-intolerant, leading to diarrhea, nausea and painful belly cramping in some cases. Generally frozen yogurt is something you’ll want to avoid all together. But you can make a couple of changes in your diet to minimize and possibly prevent any intestinal upset if you do decide to splurge on this creamy frozen treat.
Regular vs. Frozen Yogurt
Regular yogurt is often tolerable for people with lactose intolerance, even though it’s high in lactose. Most yogurts contain active, live bacteria that actually help break down the lactose from the yogurt. However, frozen yogurt doesn’t typically contain these beneficial bacterial cultures. Hence while you may be able to tolerate a breakfast parfait with regular yogurt, that bowl of frozen yogurt for dessert after dinner can irritate your digestive tract.
Frozen Greek Yogurt Considerations
Opting for frozen Greek yogurt might be a safer alternative. Some varieties of frozen Greek yogurt contain Lactobacillus acidophilus or other active bacterial cultures. You should see something like “contains active yogurt cultures” on the label in this case. Because these bacteria help deconstruct lactose during digestion, frozen Greek yogurt might not be bothersome for you.
Lactase is the dedicated enzyme responsible for breaking down sugar from milk, or lactose. Your lactase levels might be lacking if you’re lactose-intolerant, which is why you have all that discomfort after eating any type of dairy food. You can still get lactase into your system by taking a lactase supplement -- they’re available without a prescription. All you have to do is take the lactase enzyme as soon as you take your first bite of frozen yogurt to help prevent side effects from occurring. Lactase enzyme supplements aren’t known to cause problems, but check with your doctor first to see if they’re a good fit for you.
When to See a Doctor
Lactose intolerance is sometimes hereditary, although it can also stem from underlying bowel disorders. Conditions that damage the lining of your intestines, such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease, can lead to lactose intolerance, the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse explains. If you’re highly sensitive to small amounts of dairy foods, even if you take a lactase enzyme, or if you regularly experience belly discomfort after eating other foods, it’s time to visit your health care provider to determine if you have any damage to your intestinal tract. Over time, any damage that occurs can limit your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, leaving you malnourished.
Melodie Anne Coffman specializes in overall wellness, with particular interests in women's health and personal defense. She holds a master's degree in food science and human nutrition and is a certified instructor through the NRA. Coffman is pursuing her personal trainer certification in 2015.