If something is lactose-free does that mean it is dairy free? or not necessarily?!
If something is lactose-free does that mean it is dairy free? or not necessarily?
My doctor told me to cut out dairy, so I bought some of that Lactose-free milk because I like to drink milk, but my sister said since it's still milk that I have not really cut out dairy? Anyone know?
Answers:
Well... it depends on WHY your doctor told you to cut dairy -- hopefully he or she told you this!
If you are lactose-intolerant, then a "lactose free" milk -- whether cow milk treated with lactase to break down lactose into something that lactose-intolerant people can digest, or a non-dairy milk substitute like soy or rice milk (which may also be advertised as "lactose free milk") -- should be fine.
If some other reason -- perhaps allergy to a protein in milk? I'm not sure what other issues there may be with dairy products -- then yes, you would want to drink non-dairy milk substitues or other non-dairy beverages, and check ingredient lists for dairy use.