A Lactose Intolerant’s Guide to Eating Dairy Again

Being lactose intolerant is no fun. I know from personal (and painful) experience. So, when I get invited to dinner and someone serves a creamy lasagna or a cheesy pizza, I just feel left out. The thought of that delicious, melty cheese and the creamy sauce is so tempting, but the result is always the same: bloating, gas, and a whole lot of discomfort. It's a real bummer. It’s a challenge to enjoy things with everyone else.

I've tried a bunch of stuff to help. I've eaten those chewable lactase enzyme tablets, and they work pretty well, but you have to take them right before you eat. And let's be honest, I often forget. Then there's the whole "lactose-free" trend, which is a lifesaver, but finding lactose-free ice cream in a small town can be a mission. So, when a new product called Bactose came across my path, I was hopeful. Bactose is supposed to be different. It’s a probiotic that works long-term. You take it for a week, and then you’re good to go for a whole month. It sounds like magic, but I was willing to try anything to make my life a little easier.

Disclosure: I received Bactose free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases. I appreciate your support.

Understanding Lactose Intolerance and the Solution

Lactose intolerance happens when your body can't break down lactose, which is a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. This is because your small intestine doesn't make enough of an enzyme called lactase. Normally, this enzyme breaks down milk sugar into simpler sugars, glucose and galactose, that your body can absorb. But when you don't have enough lactase, the lactose just keeps on moving through your digestive system to the large intestine. This is where the gut bacteria take over, breaking it down into gases and acids. That process is what causes all the bloating, gas, and stomach pain.

For a long time, the main solution was taking a lactase enzyme supplement every time you ate dairy. This is a good short-term fix, but it can be a hassle, especially when you're traveling or eating out. Another option is just avoiding dairy altogether, which is a great solution but can be tough if you love cheese or ice cream. I love a good scoop of cherry vanilla ice cream, but the thought of getting sick makes me not want to go near it.

A New Approach to Digestive Health

Bactose is a new kind of product for people like me. It’s a probiotic that works by introducing good bacteria to your gut to help digest lactose. The idea is that instead of just taking an enzyme to fix the problem right now, you can improve your overall digestive health. It’s a long-term strategy. You take two capsules twice a day for seven days. The company says that after that first week, you get a full month of relief from lactose intolerance symptoms. It's supposed to make it so you can eat dairy without all the side effects.

I had a one-month sample to try it out. I was a little skeptical at first. Could a pill really work for that long? I've never heard of anything like that before. But I took it every day for seven days, just like the bottle said. I didn’t notice anything right away, which I expected. It’s not like those instant-relief tablets. This is supposed to be a slow-and-steady kind of thing. After the week was over, I decided to test it out. I started with a small scoop of ice cream. Nothing happened. Then I had some yogurt. Still good. I even went all out and had two slices of pizza with extra cheese. I was waiting for that familiar pain to kick in, but it never did. It was amazing!

The freedom to eat dairy without planning ahead was a game-changer for me. It meant I could grab a quick bite at a cafe, enjoy a latte with regular milk, or eat a slice of cake when eating out without worrying. This one month was truly a taste of what life could be like. It was a lot easier to say "yes" to things with family. I could finally enjoy meals without feeling left out. But the one-month supply ran out, and I had to decide if I wanted to keep going. The cost is about $35 on Amazon or $40 on the official website for another month's supply. I know not everyone can afford that. The price is a major factor. But I also know that for some people, it's worth it to have that freedom and to not have to worry about the discomfort.

Other Products to Help with Lactose Intolerance

While Bactose is a great option for some, there are many other products out there that can help with lactose intolerance. Finding the right one for you depends on your needs and budget. Here are a few other options that have helped me and others like me.

Lactaid Fast Act Chewables

Lactaid is probably the most well-known brand for lactose intolerance relief. Their Fast Act chewable tablets are a great option for on-the-go relief. They contain the lactase enzyme that your body needs to digest lactose. You just chew one or two tablets right before you eat dairy. They come in a few flavors, like vanilla, and are easy to carry in your purse or pocket. I’ve used these for years. They're a reliable way to avoid symptoms, as long as you remember to take them. You can find them at most drugstores and online.

Happy Cow Chocolate

Happy Cow makes a lactase supplement that comes in the form of a chocolate bite. Each piece of chocolate contains 10,000 FCC lactase enzyme units. The company says that it works in minutes and can help prevent symptoms. This is a fun and tasty way to take a supplement. It's also a good way to handle unexpected situations. If you're out and about and you see a dessert you want to try, you can just eat a piece of chocolate. It's a little more exciting than a regular pill. Happy Cow products are available online.

Dairy-Free Milk Alternatives

Sometimes the best way to deal with lactose intolerance is to just skip the dairy altogether and use a substitute. There are so many options now, and most of them taste pretty good. Oat milk is a favorite for lattes because it’s creamy and froths well. Soy milk has a good amount of protein, similar to cow's milk. Almond milk and rice milk are also popular choices. They’re all great for cooking and baking and can be found at almost any grocery store. I use both almond and oat milk in my oatmeal and coffee all the time, and I love them.

Lactose-Free Cheeses and Yogurts

The dairy industry has gotten a lot better about making lactose-free products. Now you can find lactose-free milk, yogurt, and even cottage cheese. Aged cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and Swiss naturally have very little lactose because the aging process breaks it down. So, for a lot of people, these are easier to digest without any extra help. I always keep some aged cheddar in my fridge for a quick snack. Some yogurts with live cultures can also help because the bacteria in them assist in lactose digestion.

Beano Digestive Enzyme

While Beano is more for gas prevention from things like beans, it can also help with some digestive issues. It contains an enzyme called alpha-galactosidase, which helps break down complex carbs that cause gas. If you have gas symptoms from lactose intolerance, this might be a product to look into, but it’s not a direct fix for lactose digestion. It's worth mentioning because sometimes our digestive problems are a mix of different things, and it's good to know what other products are out there.

Finding What Works for You

Finding the right product for lactose intolerance is a personal journey. What works for one person might not work for another. Some people will find that taking a lactase enzyme tablet before every meal is the best way to manage their symptoms. Other people might prefer to just use lactose-free products and avoid dairy entirely.

For me, Bactose has been an amazing experience. It's the first time I've ever had a long-term solution. The cost is something to think about, but the freedom it gives me is really valuable. It's about finding what makes you feel your best and what fits into your life. Whether it's a daily probiotic, an enzyme supplement, or just switching to dairy-free alternatives, there are more options than ever before to help with a grumpy gut.

Your Path to Digestive Comfort

Living with lactose intolerance doesn't mean you have to miss out on your favorite foods. With so many products on the market, you can find a solution that works for you. From long-term probiotics like Bactose to on-the-go enzyme tablets and delicious dairy-free alternatives, there are many ways to manage your symptoms and enjoy a wider variety of foods. Find what makes you feel good and say goodbye to digestive discomfort.

Key Takeaways

🥛 Bactose is a probiotic that helps digest lactose, offering relief for a month after a 7-day course.

🍫 On-the-go options like Happy Cow Chocolate and Lactaid tablets are great for immediate relief.

🧀 Naturally low-lactose cheeses and lactose-free dairy alternatives can be a part of your diet.

🌱 Dairy-free milk alternatives like oat and almond milk are great for cooking and drinks.

😌 The best solution depends on you—find what works to manage your symptoms.