Problems digesting cheese could be due to food allergy or milk intolerance.
The two components of cheese that could cause digestive problems are lactose (carbohydrate) and casein (protein).
But unlike milk and butter, cheese is a fermented product which means it contains little or no lactose.
If you are lactose intolerant, you can eat certain cheeses with little-to-no lactose content, like:
| Cheese | Lactose Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Muenster (Munster) | 0 – 1.1% |
| Camembert | 0 – 1.8% |
| Brie | 0 – 2% |
| Cheddar | 0 – 2.1% |
| Provolone | 0 – 2.1% |
| Gouda | 0 – 2.2% |
| Blue (Bleu) | 0 – 2.5% |
| Parmesan | 0 – 3.2% |
| Swiss | 0 – 3.4% |
Also read: 4 Common Types of Animal’s Milk Used to Make Cheese
What Caused Lactose Intolerance?
Digestive problems and ‘lactose intolerance’ caused by milk are due to milk’s high lactose content and a deficiency of the lactase enzyme in the gut.
Lactase enzyme is needed to form lactic acid so that it can break down lactose (sugar found in milk).
A deficiency of the lactic acid can caused lactose to passed through your gut undigested, resulting in negative symptoms such as nausea, pain, gas, bloating and diarrhea.
It is said that 75% of the world population are lactose intolerance – mostly in South America and Asia.
Western parts of the world – U.S., Europe and Australia – are less susceptible to suffer from lactose intolerance.
Also read: The Amount of Milk Required to Make Cheese
Cheeses That Contain No Lactose
Hard and semi-hard cheeses contain no lactose as most of the carbohydrate (lactose) drains into whey during the cheesemaking process.
The rest is entirely broken down during affinage.
This is good news because hard cheeses can be eaten by the lactose intolerant.
Cheese to Avoid and Enjoy When Lactose Intolerant
| Enjoy | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Aged Cheddar | Fresh mozzarella |
| Parmigiano-Reggiano | mascarpone |
| Grana Padano | ricotta |
| Any firm, aged, cow, goat, or sheep’s milk cheese | And other soft, sweet, creamy cheese |
Most American mozzarella does not undergo fermentation, therefore, it contains a great deal of lactose.
Absolutely avoid pizza and other dishes that may include mozzarella if you are lactose intolerant.
Alternatively, you could use a lactase supplement so you can enjoy those delicious dairy meals with minimal-to-no side effects.
- 120-count bottle of Lactaid Original Strength Caplets with lactase enzyme to help prevent gas, bloating and diarrhea associated with lactose intolerance
- With 9000 FCC lactase units in each serving size, these easy-to-swallow caplets work to break down milk sugar and help reduce discomfort from dairy sensitivity due to lactose
- The effective formula helps reduce discomfort due to lactose sensitivity and is suitable for adults and children, ages 4 and up
- This lactase enzyme supplement can be used every day - with every meal and every snack – to help prevent discomfort and provide effective relief from lactose intolerance/sensitivity
- Lactaid Original Strength Caplets start working with your first bite or sip of dairy so you can enjoy dairy in confidence, wherever and whenever you want
- DAIRY TOLERANCE ENZYMES*: NOW Dairy Digest Complete is a comprehensive blend of enzymes that is formulated to aid in the digestion of dairy products.*
- DIGESTS LACTOSE, DAIRY PROTEINS, AND FATS*/MAXIMUM DAIRY DIGESTION*: Combines lactase for lactose digestion with proteases and lipases that specifically target milk proteins and fat for digestion.*
- CLASSIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS: Vegan/Vegetarian, Kosher, Soy Free, Keto Friendly, Dairy Free
- GMP Quality Assured: NPA A-rated GMP certification means that every aspect of the NOW manufacturing process has been examined, including our laboratory/testing methods (for stability, potency, and product formulation).
- Packaged in the USA by a family owned and operated company since 1968
Know Your Limit
Most people can tolerate small traces of lactose in their system.
This is to say that the cheeses I mentioned above can be consumed by even the most ‘lactose intolerant’ person.
Nevertheless, it is important to listen to your body and know your limit.
Small traces of lactose in one cheese can add up to a lot if you are unaware and over-consumed.
It is awesome to enjoy the finest cheeses in the world with your loved ones but as accordance to the old adage, ‘too much of a good thing is bad’ and I concur.
Interesting Questions That You Might Want an Answer to:
- What is ‘Fake’ Synthetic Cheese Made Of?
- Can I Eat the Rind on Cheese?
- Why do the French Like Raw Milk Cheese?
- When is the Best Time to Try French AOP Cheeses?
Last update on 2023-06-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API