What’s with Dairy & FODMAPs

Nov

What’s with Dairy & FODMAPs

filed under: All, FODMAPs & Food Intolerance

Geraldine Van Oord APD

You may be surprised to know that the Low FODMAP Diet is not a dairy free diet.

It gets confusing because there are some dairy products that are suitable for the Low FODMAP Diet and there are some that aren’t.

And this is where many people get confused. Today, Monash University Trained IBS & FODMAP Dietitian Geraldine Van Oord, explains Whats the deal with Dairy & FODMAPs

Lactose is the natural carbohydrate, or sugar molecule, present in cow’s milk, and is high FODMAP. Since some dairy products, like cheese and butter only contain trace amounts of carbohydrates, they are considered naturally low FODMAP. Milk, yoghurt, cream and ice-cream can be made lactose free, and therefore low FODMAP, by adding lactase, an enzyme that separates the lactose into glucose and galactose.

Lactase separates Lactose into Glucose and Galactose for digestion

Lactose is the natural carbohydrate, or sugar molecule, present in cow’s milk, and is high FODMAP. Since some dairy products, like cheese and butter only contain trace amounts of carbohydrates, they are considered naturally low FODMAP. Traditional Greek yoghurt that is strained is also naturally low FODMAP. The straining process removes most of its whey (which is also where the lactose is), resulting in a naturally low FODMAP product. Milk, regular yoghurt, cream and ice-cream can be made lactose free, and therefore low FODMAP, by adding lactase, an enzyme that separates the lactose into glucose and galactose.

The dairy products that are suitable for the Low FODMAP Diet are ones that are lactose free and very low in lactose. The table below shows some examples of low FODMAP dairy options (and non-dairy, high calcium alternatives) that you can include on the Low FODMAP Diet.

Dairy products are also a rich source of many nutrients, and in particular, calcium.

Research shows that Australians aren’t eating enough dairy which means they aren’t meeting their calcium requirements

(1). Additionally, those following The Low FODMAP Diet may have even lower intakes of dairy and calcium

(2). This is a concern because calcium is a key nutrient that plays a role in reducing the risk of developing bone related conditions such as osteoporosis. So it’s really important that we increase our intake.

The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend 2-3 serves of dairy products each day for most adults.
One serve of low FODMAP dairy or alternatives is equal to:

250ml of lactose free milk or calcium fortified soy, rice or almond milk
200g of lactose free or strained greek yoghurt
40g cheese
small tin (60g) of sardines
small tin (100g) salmon with bones in it

NB. Rice and almond milk are not suitable for children or people who are struggling to maintain their weight due to inadequate content of protein and fat.

Five easy ways to increase your low FODMAP dairy intake:

Have some lactose free milk in your morning cereal
Make a fruit smoothie by blending 1 serve of low FODMAP fruit e.g. 10 strawberries, 20 blueberries or a firm banana and 1 cup of lactose free milk together
Enjoy a lactose free tub of yoghurt or tub of traditional Greek yoghurt as a snack
Add a slice of cheese in your sandwich or use grated cheese in your salad
Use lactose free yoghurt or traditional Greek yoghurt in your muesli

Final thoughts

If you’ve been avoiding dairy products on The Low FODMAP Diet because you thought you couldn’t have them, you’ll be pleased to know that this is not necessary. You can still enjoy lactose free dairy products. Actually, we encourage you to, because as a nation, we don’t eat enough dairy to meet our calcium needs.

About Geraldine

Geraldine Van Oord is a Monash University Trained IBS & FODMAP Dietitian. She runs a private practice in Wollongong NSW, predominately working with clients who suffer from IBS and other gut conditions who require a low FODMAP approach.

For more information on Geraldine, you can visit her website: www.geraldinevanoord.com.au or you can follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/gvanoord.apd or Instagram: @ibsfodmapdietitian.

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