Can you eat ghee or butter if you are lactose intolerant? Expert shares insights

Ghee and butter make our food taste divine. Just a spoonful of them, and they instantly enhance the taste of our dishes. Without them it feels like something is missing, doesn’t it? As much as we love including these golden delights in our meals, they are not suitable for everyone. Especially people suffering from lactose intolerance may have to avoid consuming it. But is this really true? Should you avoid butter and ghee completely or is it okay to consume them occasionally? Recently, nutritionist Amita Gadre gave information about this on her official Instagram page. Before we know, let’s understand what lactose intolerance actually is and what are the symptoms of this health condition.
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What is lactose intolerance?

In simple terms, lactose intolerance is a digestive condition that makes it difficult for the body to digest lactose – the sugar found in milk. Amita explains that this is mainly due to the lack of enzyme lactase in our body. When lactose is not digested properly, it can cause many problems like acidity, bloating and belching.

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

• stomach pain and cramps
• nausea
• vomit
• Diarrhea
• constant burping
• bloating and gas

Here’s what the expert revealed:

So, can you have ghee or butter if you are lactose intolerant? According to Amita, it depends on how much lactose is in each of them. She explains that ghee contains very little lactose, making it suitable for people with lactose intolerance. Ghee is also pure fat, and when it is boiled extensively, it leaves just fat without any lactose. Butter, on the other hand, retains more lactose than ghee, so you may not be able to tolerate butter well. But ghee is generally safe, and you can consume it in limited quantities.
Also read: 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Insanely Delicious White Butter at Home

Watch the full video below:

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A post shared by Amita Gadre | Nutritionist (@amitagadre)

What are the best non-dairy alternatives?

Giving up dairy products can be difficult. But you’ll be happy to know that there are many non-dairy alternatives you can have instead. For example, soy milk is a great alternative to regular milk. The best part? It provides the same amount of protein as regular milk. Almond milk and rice milk are also great options. Additionally, you can also rely on coconut milk or pea milk. All of these are quite nutritious and are a wonderful alternative to regular cow’s milk.
Now that you know the truth about ghee and butter, we are sure you will be able to make a better decision for yourself. However, remember to consult your nutritionist before making any major changes to your diet. Stay fit, healthy and happy!