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Chocolate Candy for the Lactose Intolerant

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Does Chocolate make you sick if you are Lactose Intolerant?

Is there really a dairy-free chocolate for the Lactose Intolerant? Can you eat chocolate if you are Lactose intolerant? The answer is yes, but you need to know a few things before you dive into that box of chocolates that a friend just gave you as a gift, or grab a candy bar off the shelf when shopping if you don't want to suffer the symptoms of lactose intolerance.

I am lactose intolerant. After months of feeling sick every day, and a few years of feeling badly to a lesser degree, I learned in November of 2011 that I am lactose intolerant. This means learning what foods contain dairy that I can't eat, what dairy foods don't contain lactose that I CAN eat, reading labels to make sure milk isn't hidden in the ingredients, and finding replacements for many foods that I love but must now avoid. It's a challenge, but not impossible, to have your chocolate and eat it too...without symptoms of Lactose Intolerance.



Image Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net



Claudia a/k/a happynutritionist
Updated 5/30/12

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance

The same as so many other diseases of the intestinal system

Since the symptoms of Lactose Intolerance are so similar to any intestinal ailment, it can be hard to pin down. In my case, I thought my problem was related to stress and put off going to the doctor. Then when I went to one doctor, he didn't find anything wrong. I went to a gastroenterologist, he explained to me why my symptoms were not stress, but didn't mention lactose intolerance. It was when I went to my annual physical that my MD asked me what I ate at bedtime (since I got sick during the night every night and felt sick most of the next day)...I told her yogurt and fruit. Immediately she suggested stopping dairy for a month, she said that lactose intolerance often starts when we are in our 40's and 50's. I did as she suggested, and improved immediately.

Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance include:

Nausea
Bloating
Gas
Diarrhea
Cramps in the Abdomen

You can find more information about symptoms and the disease at mayclinic.com, webmd.com and other similar sites.

What a happy day it was to finally have a doctor suggest that I might be lactose intolerant so that I knew what course of action to take.

Box of Vegan Dairy Free Chocolate

Click through to view the different chocolates in the package

Sweet Pete's Vegan, Dairy Free, Gluten Free Chocolate & Candy Sweet Box

Sweet Pete's Vegan, Dairy Free, Gluten Free Chocolate & Candy Sweet Box

Amazon Price: $26.00 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Why is Dark Chocolate better for the Lactose Intolerant than regular Milk Chocolate?

It's a number game

When it comes to dark chocolate that IS made with milk, the key for most of us is in how high the percentage of Cacoa in the Chocolate. My husband has been buying me Ghirardelli Chocolate - I seem to do okay with anything that has 60% or higher on the package. The darker the chocolate is, the more bitter it tastes, so I'm happy that I, and most, can safely eat a 60% Cacoa chocolate.

I do have some Ghirardelli chocolate with a higher percentage of dark chocolate, and like it as well. It's actually good for you as the darker it is, the more antioxidants it contains. There are other brands that sell packaging marked with the percentage of Cacoa.
Ghirardelli Intense Dark Premium Dark Chocolate Assortment 50 Pack

Ghirardelli Intense Dark Premium Dark Chocolate Assortment 50 Pack

Amazon Price: $13.80 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Poll: Are you Lactose Intolerant?

I hope you find some chocolate solutions here!

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Dairy, Nut, Gluten, and Egg Free Truffles

Click the image for more information

If you click the image to view this item, you can search for other milk-free chocolates offered by this company.



How to Make Dairy Free Chocolate Truffles

Make sure the Chocolate Chips you use don't contain dairy

How to Make Delicious, Dairy-Free Chocolate Truffles
by NewLeafCommunity | video info

2 ratings | 260 views
curated content from YouTube

Recipes for Dairy Free Chocolate Candy

Easy To Be Gluten & Dairy Free Desserts Snacks, Candy, Frozen Treats & More

Easy To Be Gluten & Dairy Free Desserts Snacks, Candy, Frozen Treats & More

by: Lisa Strickling

Amazon Price: (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $6.99
Used Price:

6 Pack Case of Semi-Sweet Dairy Free Chocolate Chips

Eat as a treat, or use in the recipe above

Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Gluten, Dairy & Soy Free, 10-Ounce Bags (Pack of 6)

Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Gluten, Dairy & Soy Free, 10-Ounce Bags (Pack of 6)

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Dairy and Lactose Free Vegan Gift Box of Chocolate Candy

Vegan, Dairy Free, Gluten Free Spring & Mother's Day Chocolate & Candy Sweet Gift- Sweet Pete's

Vegan, Dairy Free, Gluten Free Spring & Mother's Day Chocolate & Candy Sweet Gift- Sweet Pete's

Amazon Price: $26.00 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Does Lactaid Really Help Lactose Intolerance?

Sometimes yes, sometimes I'm not sure

I have purchased Lactaid, the chewable kind, and find that it helps a lot of the time if I'm aware that I'm eating dairy...but there are other forms of dairy that contain lactose that are easy to miss when you're still learning, so it might be good to take it with most meals. The box suggests that you chew up a tablet with your first mouthful of lactose containing food, it tastes good.

According to the packaging, if you are eating more lactose containing food later in the day, say 1/2 hour or more after your initial dose, take another. If you are eating a lot of lactose, they suggest you take 2. Read the instructions on the type of Lactaid product you buy.

For others, it doesn't help enough, and they still suffer nausea and bloating...for these hyper-sensitive people, it may be best to simply avoid dairy that contains lactose all together.
Lactaid Fast Act Lactase Enzyme Supplement, Chewable Tablet, Vanilla Twist 60 ea

Lactaid Fast Act Lactase Enzyme Supplement, Chewable Tablet, Vanilla Twist 60 ea

Amazon Price: $9.76 (as of 05/30/2012)Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Rice Dream Milk-Free Chocolate Crunch Bars

Make your own gift basket and include these - Click the picture for more information

Rice Dream Chocolate Crunch Bars

Where does Lactose Hide? Become a Label Reader!

Look for MILK in bold letters at the end of the ingredients list.

Visit Go Dairy Free for a long list of items you might find on a label that may contain lactose.

Become a label reader!!

Lactose Free Chocolate Bars

You will see "Dairy Free" right on the label - click the picture for more information

Lactose Free Chocolate Bars

Other Dairy Free NuGo Chocolate Bars

Some say that dark chocolate does not contain lactose, perhaps this is true, but if you are very sensitive, make sure it was not made using equipment that has been used to make milk chocolate.

Give Something Sweet that Isn't Chocolate

No worries about dairy here! Click picture for more information.

Fruit and Nut Tray

If I were to have this delicious dried fruit and nut tray sent to me instead of chocolate, I would be very happy, and could eat it with no worries. There are other fruit trays and baskets available.

More Chocolate for Lactose Intolerant Sites

Valentines Day and Easter are popular times to get chocolate as gifts, and finding them without milk for the lactose intolerant isn't as hard as you think.
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Do You Have to Avoid Lactose?

Guestbook

Say hello, we love to hear from our visitors.

  • TapIn2U May 16, 2012 @ 12:04 am | delete
    Wow! This is something new to learn. Thank you for the information. Sundae ;-)
  • squidtwit Apr 15, 2012 @ 10:52 pm | delete
    The only time I have to avoid lactose is when I feel an irritable bowel attack coming on. Otherwise, I seem okay. But, since I'm in my early 40s, I realize that I could become lactose intolerant.
  • LivingGlutenFree Mar 11, 2012 @ 8:35 am | delete
    More and more of us are finding that we have to eat dairy free products and you have a great selection here for people to choose from!
  • kristinko Feb 13, 2012 @ 12:20 pm | delete
    great info! thank you for sharing!
  • aliciamaggie54 Jan 30, 2012 @ 12:23 pm | delete
    I am not lactose intolerant but this is very informative. One of my good friends is lactose intolerant. Thanks for the information.
  • happynutritionist Jan 30, 2012 @ 1:25 pm | delete
    It will be good for your friend to know that she can eat chocolate if she can get dairy free...thank you for the visit:-)
  • TheHealthCabin Jan 26, 2012 @ 8:19 am | delete
    Great lens, Thank you.
  • bestcollegeart Jan 25, 2012 @ 7:24 am | delete
    Really Good and informative
  • cffutah Jan 23, 2012 @ 6:48 pm | delete
    I don't have to avoid it, but it is important to be healthy so that your body doesn't work the way it was meant OR you have a genetic disorder.
  • happynutritionist Jan 30, 2012 @ 1:24 pm | delete
    Many nutritionists will tell you we aren't meant to take in dairy...I'm not sure I agree entirely, but sometimes do think it makes sense since so very many become lactose intolerant as the years go by.
  • alanaroux Jan 20, 2012 @ 4:23 pm | delete
    Thank you for this. I love to cook and I love candy but a lot of times I end up making for other people since I am lactose intolerant. This is a great lens!!!
  • happynutritionist Jan 30, 2012 @ 1:23 pm | delete
    It's good for people like us to know there is a way to have your chocolate and eat it too...even if we are lactose intolerant:-) Thanks for the visit!
  • jr808 Jan 20, 2012 @ 1:03 am | delete
    Great information here! I wrote a little about my experience on my lens. But this lens is so thorough!! Thank you for writing!
  • happynutritionist Jan 30, 2012 @ 1:22 pm | delete
    Happy to visit your lens, too, thanks for stopping by!
  • AngryBaker Jan 17, 2012 @ 11:13 pm | delete
    wow.. great lens... lots of really good information, thanks
  • happynutritionist Jan 18, 2012 @ 9:21 am | delete
    Thank you...I wonder if you have some tips to help out....it is such a journey of trial and error.
  • nancycarol Jan 17, 2012 @ 5:19 pm | delete
    I'm happy to see an alternative chocolate for lactose intolerant folks. After all, Valentine's Day just isn't the same without chocolate. :-) Liked, Goggle+ed, Pinned and Blessed.
  • happynutritionist Jan 18, 2012 @ 9:18 am | delete
    Thank you so much Nancy...thank you for the google+ (which I'm still trying to figure out) and the pinning...and wow, a blessing too!
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Click links below to find you way back to a topic

  1. Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance
  2. Box of Vegan Dairy Free Chocolate
  3. Why is Dark Chocolate better for the Lactose Intolerant than regular Milk Chocolate?
  4. Poll: Are you Lactose Intolerant?
  5. Dairy, Nut, Gluten, and Egg Free Truffles
  6. How to Make Dairy Free Chocolate Truffles
  7. Recipes for Dairy Free Chocolate Candy
  8. 6 Pack Case of Semi-Sweet Dairy Free Chocolate Chips
  9. Dairy and Lactose Free Vegan Gift Box of Chocolate Candy
  10. Does Lactaid Really Help Lactose Intolerance?
  11. Rice Dream Milk-Free Chocolate Crunch Bars
  12. Where does Lactose Hide? Become a Label Reader!
  13. Lactose Free Chocolate Bars
  14. Give Something Sweet that Isn't Chocolate
  15. More Chocolate for Lactose Intolerant Sites
  16. % Donated to Food for Everyone
  17. Searching for Milk Free Chocolate
  18. Thumbs Up, Pins, Facebook and Tweets
  20. Do You Have to Avoid Lactose?
  22. Random unrelated pages you might like
  23. Follow me on Twitter

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happynutritionist

It's not fun to avoid dairy foods when you are lactose intolerant, but it's worth it! I know from experience.
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