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Lactose-Free/Low Lactose Diet

Keeping you healthy is our main aim here at The GI Center. As your physicians, it is our aim to provide the best guidance of diet as well as medicine. In doing so, also please remember that it is not possible to mention each and every food component that is available in this world. Our instructions are designed to serve as guidance only. If you have any specific question regarding anything not fully addressed here, please call your physician.

Purpose: A low residue/low fiber diet is for people who need to rest their intestinal tract. Certain medical conditions require a low fiber diet to minimize pain and discomfort. Patients with diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or gastroparesis (weak stomach motility) benefit from a low residue diet, as well as those undergoing chemotherapy, radiation treatments, or surgery. A low residue diet limits the amount of food waste that has to be moved through the large intestine. Your stool will be smaller and you may need extra water or a stool softener to have regular bowel movements. An intake of less than 10 grams of fiber per day is generally considered a low residue/low fiber diet. This diet is adequate in all nutrients and can be followed for a few weeks. However, if the diet must be strict and followed over a long period of time, the intake of fruits, vegetables, and calcium may not be adequate, therefore a multi-vitamin supplement or liquid nutritional supplement may be needed.

Key Summary Points:

Avoid whole-grain breads and cereals
Avoid any food made with seeds, nuts, or raw or dried fruits.
Do not eat raw fruits or vegetables. Remove skins before cooking.
Limit fats and milk products since these can increase stool bulk.
Avoid tough, fibrous meats with gristle

Food Group	Foods Allowed	Foods to Avoid
Beverages	Soy milk fortified with calcium & vitamin D Lactose-reduced milk such as Lactaid, if tolerated Lactose-free beverages such as soy, nondairy cream Eggnog, malted milk, Ovaltine Cocoa prepared with soy milk or nondairy cream Carbonated beverages, coffee, tea	Eggnog, malted milk, Ovaltine Milk shakes and cocoa prepared with milk or milk products
Meats & Meat Substitutes	Plain meat, poultry, fish and shellfish Dry beans and peas Peanut butter Peanut butter Soybean and textured vegetable protein, tofu Soybean and textured vegetable protein, tofu Kosher hot dogs Yogurt with active cultures Hard and fermented cheese such as cheddar, Swiss, gouda, edam and parmesan Eggs prepared without milk or milk Products	Eggnog, malted milk, Ovaltine Milk shakes and cocoa prepared with milk or milk products Meat, poultry, fish and shellfish prepared with milk or milk products such as white sauce or cheese sauce Luncheon meats, sausage and hot dogs that contain lactose or milk filler Cream cheese, cottage cheese Mozzarella, ricotta Processed cheese, cheese spreads Eggs prepared with milk or milk products
Vegetables	Canned, fresh or frozen vegetables without sauces All vegetable juices	Any prepared with milk or milk products such as cream sauce or cheese sauce Any with lactose added in processing
Fruits & Fruit Juices	All are lactose-free
Grains & Starches	White potato, sweet potato, pasta and rice, prepared without milk or milk products Breads and rolls prepared without milk products Crackers, melba toast, pretzels, matzos, rye wafers	Mashed or escalloped potatoes or any other potato substitute prepared with milk or milk products Instant potatoes if milk or lactose is added Instant potatoes if milk or lactose is added Breads or rolls prepared with milk or milk products Pancakes, waffles, biscuits Muffins, donuts, sweet rolls Prepared mixes
Soups	Broth, bouillon and consomme soups prepared with allowed foods Cream soups made with nondairy cream or soy milks	Cream soups or any other soup prepared with milk or milk products
Desserts	Sugar, honey, jams, jellies Molasses, syrup Marshmallows, hard candies, gumdrops, jellybeans, pure sugar candies Carob powder, baking chocolate Gelatin, angel food cake, fruit pies, fruit ice Homemake cakes and cookies prepared without milk or milk products	Chocolate, cream-filled and caramel candies Frostings prepared with milk or milk products Sherbet, ice cream Custards, puddings Cream pies, cheesecake Commercial cookies, desserts and mixes Any desserts prepared with milk or milk products
Any desserts prepared with milk or milk products	Cereals prepared without milk or milk products Milk-free margarine; oil; mayonnaise Salad dressing prepared without milk, cream or cheese Herbs, spices, seasonings, extracts Vinegar, catsup, mustard, pickles, relish Popcorn Sauces or gravies prepared from allowed foods	Cereals prepared with milk or milk products Cream, whipped cream, sour cream Creamy salad dressing or salad dressing made with cheese or butter Sauces, gravies or snack “dips” prepared with milk or milk products Sugar substitutes made with lactose Foods containing the fat substitute Simplesse Sugar substitutes made with lactose (Equal)