Lactose Intolerance can be difficult to deal with in the case of children. This is because, unlike adults, they do not know the differences or harms of lactose foods and will want their favorite ice cream or pasta inspite of your lectures on lactose and its dangers. Dealing with lactose intolerant children is easy if you are choosy about certain foods that can be both delicious and healthy. Feeding LI children is all about striking a balance between taste, health and milk. If you are a parent hunting for lactose free foods for your LI kid, this article should act as your guide.
Low Lactose Foods for children: If you child is experiencing primary lactase deficiency which is caused by aging, chances are he or she might be exhibiting low lactase activity and an increased range of symptoms. You may have to put your child on a diet that is free from milk, milk products, milk solids, non fat milk solids, milk powder, ice creams, cheese, lactose, casein, whey and cream. This is the most difficult thing as children are generally fond of milk items owing to their taste.
Also, you should not stop with a milk-free diet. Lack of milk means lack of calcium, riboflavin, vitamin D etc. So, to supplement all that, you need to include nutritional foods in your child’s diet. Below are a list of foods which can help you:
1. Try fructose with fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables contain a different sugar called fructose. They don’t contain lactose and hence, will not cause any of the symptoms. If your child is lactose intolerant, it is better to add at least 30 to 40% fructose/fruits and vegetables in his or her every meal. Apart from their nutritional value, fruits and vegetables improve a child’s bodily functions too.
2. Meat and protein foods: You can include almost all meat and protein foods as they don’t contain lactose. But, check labels on processed foods like fritz sausages, fish fingers, baked beans etc. You can include sardines, salmon and even other oily fish with bones as they are a rich source of calcium.
3. Fats and oils: Include high fats and oils as they add to the nutritional value. Butter and margarine that are free from lactose or have only low lactose can be taken. Butter is especially good.
4. Cereals, breads, pastas: You need to engage caution here. Cereals, breads, pastas, spaghettis etc are fine if they are lactose free or contain digestible amount of lactose. Try one item at a time and check your child’s tolerance levels. When you know how tolerant your child is, you can add more foods to this category.
5. Try hard cheeses: Mature or hard cheeses like Swiss, Edam, Colby, Cheddar etc. are low in lactose and are suitable for your child.
6. Milk substitutes: You have plenty in the market. If your child is not extremely lactose sensitive, you can try giving your child flavored milk instead of whole milk. Or, you can use soy milk, oat milk, rice milk, even chocolate milk.
7. Yogurt and custards: You can buy lactose free stuff or use the ones low in lactose. Yogurt is rich in lactose but has lactose-digesting bacteria. Hence, using yogurt daily in your child’s diet is one of the best ways to improve digestion too.
8. What to avoid: Avoid instant mashed potatoes, vegetables with white or cheese sauces, biscuits, cakes, cake mixes, salad dressings, mayonnaise, creamed soups etc. If your child can tolerate all of these in small amounts, well and good. Continue giving them in small servings.
