Dear Komalji,
Can you become lactose-intolerant as you grow older?
I have had no problems with milk or milk products until lately.
I am 65 years old.
I have a glass of warm milk every night, dahi with lunch.
Paneer is made for lunch once a week.
We use ghee in some bits of our cooking.
If I am lactose-intolerant, what can I substitute it with without losing the benefits of having milk?
Thank you,
Ans: Lactose intolerance is usually caused due to absence of an enzyme called lactase in our body.
Are you experiencing symptoms of abdominal cramps, bloating or diarrhoea?
Primary lactose intolerance occurs as the amount of lactase in our body declines as people age.
You need to limit dairy products by completely restraining their intake or having them in a small portion size.
Some people can tolerate curd as it has lactic acid.
Substitute dairy products with other protein-rich foods like eggs, lean meat, cereal-pulse combinations, beans, soya and pseudo-cereals like oats and quinoa.