What is Lactose-Free Milk and How is it Made?

Lactose-free milk is 100% real milk that doesn’t contain lactose, a type of sugar contained in regular milk¹. Lactose-free milk, such as LACTAID®, still provides the great taste and benefits of regular milk². This means you can enjoy your favorite dairy products without upsetting your stomach if you’re sensitive to lactose or have lactose intolerance¹.

What Is Lactose?

Lactose is a complex sugar found naturally in milk and other dairy products³. Millions of Americans are intolerant to lactose, meaning they are unable to fully digest lactose³.

¿Qué es la intolerancia a la lactosa?

If your natural level of lactase enzyme is too low, you could be lactose intolerant⁴. Lactase is an enzyme produced by your small intestines which breaks down the complex sugars of lactose in dairy products into simpler sugars – glucose and galactose - while you digest⁴.

Lactose intolerance is not a milk allergy, but it can cause discomfort and take away from the enjoyment of dairy³. Our Lactose Intolerance Quiz can help you determine if you might be lactose intolerant.

What Does Lactose-Free Mean?

Lactose-free products such as LACTAID® Milk, are real dairy products that are refined so they don’t contain lactose¹. Removing lactose from dairy products allows people with a lactose intolerance or sensitivity to enjoy real milk and dairy products without suffering discomfort caused by lactose¹.

Lactose-free does not mean dairy-free. Lactose-free products are made with real dairy and contain all the nutrients of regular milk products. Learn more about the difference between lactose-free and dairy-free here.

How is LACTAID® Lactose-Free Milk Made?

The Difference Between Regular Milk and Lactose-Free Milk

Aside from the fact that lactose-free milk does not contain lactose, making it easier to digest, there is little difference between regular milk and lactose-free milk².

Does Lactose-Free Milk Taste Different?

To most people, lactose-free milk tastes the same as regular milk. However, some people find LACTAID® milk is slightly sweeter than regular milk⁵. This is because the lactose has been broken down into simpler sugars already, which sweetens the taste before drinking⁶.

Lactose-Free Milk vs Regular Milk: Nutritional Values

When comparing LACTAID® with conventional milk, there are no nutritional differences¹. One cup of LACTAID® 2% Milk and regular 2% milk each contain¹:

130

Calorías

Fat

12g

Total Sugars

Azúcares agregados

Proteína

300
mg

Calcio

150
mcg

Vitamina A

2.5
mcg

Vitamina D

Get the Nutritional Benefits of Milk, Without Lactose

LACTAID® products have the same nutritional benefits as regular milk. Whether you’re looking for whole milk, reduced fat, low fat or fat free, you’ll find LACTAID® contains all the nutrients and tastes as delicious as regular milk options – without the discomfort that can be caused by lactose².

FAQ

Yes, you can. There are lots of recipes where you can substitute regular milk for the same amount of LACTAID®. Your recipes will keep their great taste, but won’t have lactose in them, so anyone can enjoy them. For more information, visit our recipe substitutions page.

No, LACTAID® lactose-free milk is 100% real dairy and contains all the natural nutrients and vitamins contained in dairy milk. That means you can still enjoy all the goodness of dairy without the lactose. Check out our guide for more information.

LACTAID® offers a wide range of 100% real dairy, lactose-free products. In addition to LACTAID® milk, you can enjoy: