On the other hand, many other high-fiber foods such as beans can create similar discomfort. After drinking milk, a patient's breath is measured for hydrogen, a sure signal that lactose is not being absorbed as it passes through the small intestine. It's rare that a few ounces of milk, consumed slowly, will trigger a reaction. It's also rare to find children who are lactose intolerant. Absolutely not, Buchman says.
Milk is an excellent source of vitamin D and calcium, two important nutrients.
You would have to eat almost three cups of broccoli, plus four eggs or a spoonful of cod liver oil, to get the same amount. Or you could take supplements, which can cost more than food. If you're lactose intolerant, you have other options. Most grocery stores carry milk products pre-treated with the lactase enzyme so the sugar is already broken down. You can take the enzyme in pill form, available at most drugstores, just before or after consuming dairy products.