If the symptoms are mild, then avoiding large amounts of milk and milk products may be enough. For those who are very sensitive to small amounts of lactose, there are two options. First, all foods should be carefully checked for lactose. Grocery items such as bread, baked goods, cereals, instant potatoes, soups, margarine, lunchmeat, salad dressings, pancakes, biscuits, cookies, and candy can contain hidden lactose. The second option is buying milk to which lactase, the enzyme, has been added.
Lactase drops or tablets are also available which can be placed in milk.
A pharmacist or food store manager can provide advice. Finally, a variety of lactose-free products are now available in the specialty section of food stores. Calcium and Lactose Milk is a major source of calcium and calcium is necessary for good health and strong bones. The following list from the National Institutes of Health provides some information on the calcium and lactose contents of food. For the lactose-intolerant individual, ingesting enough calcium may be difficult.