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Ashima Sharda Mahindra • 11 Sep 2024

How Can You Ensure Nutrition In Children Who Are Lactose Intolerant?

Children are at the forefront lactose intolerance, which leads to severe stomach cramps, recurrent diarrhoea and bloating

Lactose intolerance happens when your body is not able to easily break down or digest lactose – a sugar found in milk and milk products. According to statistics, the condition – also known as milk intolerance has a high prevalence in India where almost about 60 per cent of people have it, However, it often goes misdiagnosed as an intolerance unless the symptoms are very severe.
Children are at the forefront of this condition – which leads to severe stomach cramps, recurrent diarrhoea, bloating, and other gastric issues. Doctors say it happens due to insufficient production of the enzyme lactase. And since milk is considered very important for growing children due to its high quantity of calcium and protein, not drinking it can lead to nutritional deficiencies.

What happens when children don’t drink milk?

Not drinking milk causes insufficiency in vitamin D, and vitamin B12 - which are crucial for bone health and overall nervous system function. Doctors say a lack of these, along with calcium can potentially contribute to conditions like osteoporosis and fatigue.
Various studies also say children can suffer from severe rickets – a bone disease that affects children and causes soft, weak bones, bone deformities, and poor growth.

What causes lactose intolerance in children?

A few causes of lactose intolerance, according to experts, include:
  • Digestive diseases or infection
  • Injury to the small intestine
  • Family history of lactose intolerance
  • A baby being born too early is also called a premature baby

How can adequate nutrition be ensured in lactose-intolerant children?

To ensure adequate nutrient absorption, it is crucial to replace dairy with lactose-free alternatives. “Give them lactose-free milk and its products or soy milk. These alternatives are a rich source of like calcium and vitamin D,” Dr. Vedika Premani, clinical dietician, at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, told Times Now.
According to Dr. Premani, a few other sources of calcium-rich foods include:
  • Green leafy vegetables
  • Fortified cereals
  • Tofu
  • Almonds
“Further, a balanced diet with adequate intake of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains is equally important for a child's growth,” she added. Doctors also advise taking a lactase enzyme supplement, which can be taken before eating meals, as it helps the child’s body digest the lactose sugar in dairy. It prevents pain, cramping, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
Adding vitamin D – which helps your body absorb and use calcium is also important in those who are lactose intolerant. Be sure to make your kids eat foods like:
  • Eggs
  • Fish, like salmon
  • Ready-to-eat cereals
  • Orange juice

Other ways to manage lactose intolerance in children

Start slowly

After a week of limiting foods with lactose, add small amounts of milk or milk products back to your child’s diet. Watch to see if your child has any symptoms.

Have milk and milk products with other foods

You may find your child has fewer symptoms if your child has milk or milk products with meals.

Choose dairy products with naturally lower levels of lactose

These include hard cheeses and yogurt.

Look for lactose-free products

These are easily available in many stores today.
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