If you’re lactose-intolerant, you probably avoid the dairy aisle like the plague. And don’t trust milk from Lactaid or whoever else right?
It is easy to assume that there is nothing in that section you can consume.
However, if you happen to peruse that section from time-to-time, you may have noticed a product called Lactaid nestled among the dairy.
Lean in a little closer, and you’ll notice that the stuff says 100% lactose-free and that their tagline is “enjoy milk again!”
Is this product in the wrong section? Shouldn’t it be with the plant-based milk, not side by side with that scary stuff (real dairy)?
Are you feeling confused?
We’re here to help! It’s time to demystify this mystery liquid once and for all so that you can walk into the dairy section with confidence.
Table of Contents
Is Lactaid real milk?
So, the question becomes, is Lactaid real milk?
Why is it in the milk section, not the plant-based milk section?
Look at the label even closer, and you’ll realize that it doesn’t say that it is vegan.
Before you question everything you thought you knew about dairy, let’s clear it up for you.
Lactaid is 100% real milk. The stuff comes from 100% real cows. It is no less real milk than the stuff that lactose-intolerant people run away from whenever they see it.
Then, how in the world is this stuff lactose-free?
Lactaid does not contain any lactose. It isn’t magic, just a unique process to make it safe for lactose-intolerant people to drink.
The company uses a natural lactase enzyme to break down the lactose in its milk products. It breaks it down so that your intestine doesn’t have to try and fail to do that.
How does Lactaid compare to “regular milk?”
Now we know that Lactaid is the real deal and is 100% real milk, but how does it compare to its non-lactose-free counterpart?
Taste
Some people say it does, and some people say it doesn’t taste like regular milk.
Many people say that it is slightly sweeter than the original.
Why is this?
The enzyme lactase that Lactaid uses to break down the lactose makes the sugars more easily digestible. This process causes a slightly sweet flavor without any added sugar.
However, other than the slightly increased sweetness, Lactaid tastes precisely the same as regular milk.
Nutrition
Something that many wonder about is if Lactaid has the same nutritional properties as conventional milk.
If you compare 2% traditional milk with 2% Lactaid and 2% Lactaid calcium enriched milk, all three have the same amount of calories (130) per cup. All three have the same fat content (5g), sugars (12g), added sugars (0g), protein (8g), Vitamin A (10% DV), and Vitamin D (25% DV).
The regular 2% traditional and Lactaid milk have 30% of your daily recommended value of calcium. The calcium-enriched Lactaid milk has 50%.
In other words, these three kinds of milk have almost the same nutritional values as each other. You will not be losing out on anything by drinking Lactaid!
Allergies
While this fantastic regular milk-alternative is a lifesaver for lactose-intolerant people, it won’t help you if you have a dairy allergy. Since it is 100% dairy, those with dairy allergies will need to avoid it.
What types of Lactaid products are out there?
Lactaid doesn’t only make milk.
They offer a wide range of products that make a dairy-loving lactose-intolerant person’s life better.
Their products include:
Milk
Lactaid is most famous for its milk products. Types of milk include regular and calcium-fortified fat-free, one percent, two percent, and whole milk. If you’re looking for more protein, there is protein-fortified 2% and whole milk. Chocolate lovers can also buy Lactaid chocolate milk.
Ice Cream
You’ll scream for joy when you discover how many lactose-free ice-cream flavors they have available!
You can try:
- Cookie dough
- Mocha almond chip
- Peanut butter pie
- Vanilla
- Chocolate
- Salted caramel
- Cookies and cream
- Mint chocolate chip
Bonus: More Ice Cream Options, 7 Awesome Soy Ice Cream Recipes
Cottage Cheese
It gets even better, Lactaid also has lactose-free cottage cheese! You can eat this delicious snack again without having to worry about a terrible outcome.
Eggnog
Lactaid has all of your bases covered. If you’ve been missing eggnog because you’re worried about what it’ll do to your stomach, fear no more.
Dietary Supplements
For everything else that contains dairy, Lactaid’s dietary supplements are there to help. They come in original strength and fast act chewables and caplets. This product gives you the freedom to eat almost anything with lactose.
Food substitutions made with Lactaid Milk
The question is, can you use Lactaid the same way as milk?
Yes, Lactaid is the perfect substitute for milk in any dish at a 1-to-1 ratio.
However, you can take it even further and use Lactaid milk to substitute for other lactose-laden foods.
Here are a few examples:
Ricotta Cheese
To replicate real ricotta cheese, whip one cup of Lactaid Cottage Cheese and enjoy.
Sour Cream
Recreate sour cream by pureeing one cup of Lactaid Cottage Cheese with 2-3 teaspoons of lemon juice in a blender.
Buttermilk/Sour Milk
Substitute buttermilk/sour milk in a recipe by mixing one cup of Lactaid milk with 1 tbsp of lemon juice or vinegar. Let this combination stand for five minutes before using.
A second way to do this is to mix one cup of Lactaid milk with 1 ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar.
Recipes with Lactaid Milk
Since Lactaid is used to make difficult-to-substitute lactose products, you can use it in many recipes.
Some examples are:
Savory Turkey Sausage Buttermilk Biscuits
For some mouthwatering biscuits, try Taste and See’s delicious recipe with buttermilk. Use Lactaid’s buttermilk substitute combined with turkey breakfast sausage, garlic powder, maple syrup, green onions, wheat flour, unbleached flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, dairy-free cheddar, and unsalted butter. This recipe is so tasty!
Roasted Fruit and Homemade Ricotta
This recipe from Lactaid itself uses the ricotta cheese recipe from above. Combine that with roasted peaches, pears, plums, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, hazelnuts, and honey, and you have a delicious sweet treat!
Apple Sour Cream Cake
Another dessert where you can use Lactaid’s sour cream recipe substitute is in this recipe by Kim127.
Combine the Lactaid sour cream recipe with butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and apples for a tasty cake. Top with chopped nuts, cinnamon, brown sugar, and melted butter for extra decadence.
The Lactaid Milk lowdown
Hopefully, after reading this, you’ll have more confidence walking into the dairy aisle knowing what Lactaid is.
This tasty lactose-free regular milk substitute is 100% real milk and is an excellent substitute for all your dairy cravings!
