I was walking my dog Guusje (Dutch girls name) the other day, when I came across my neighbour with her adorable Labrador puppy George. We talked about work and working out. She is currently training for a ladies run. I think that is so impressive; I have never been much of a runner 😉 Before the run she would first enjoy a nice holiday to Corfu with her husband.
“BUT” She said, “I do hope they sell lactose free milk there. I am lactose intolerant you know. I love the fact that we can buy all sorts of lactose free products in almost every supermarket in the Netherlands. I buy plant based milk substitutes or lactose free milk.”
“You had me at ‘lactose intolerant’
I agree! “A few years ago you had to visit a special store for that or order online.” Now there are all sorts and flavours: yoghurts or milk, coconut, soy, oat, almond, nut, cashew and rice(forgive me if I left something out!).
My neighbour continues: “I only just found out that lactose is the cause of my belly ache. I have struggled for years and now that I avoid using lactose I feel so much better!” She tells me she loves goats yoghurt “I think it is very tasty and a nice alternative”. The alarm bells in my head start ringing.. Goats milk… I try not to make a habit of being the strict dietitian in my free time or correcting people, but I just need to say something: “Uhmm goats milk contains about the same amount of lactose as cows milk.”
“Yes I know, but it is easier to digest and I respond well to it.” I am happy to hear that she knows and she can enjoy it, even though it is not a lactose free alternative.
In the meanwhile we have arrived at home so we say our goodbyes. Still the question remains; how many of the goat product does she use… maybe not too much and her tolerable limit is not reached.
I like hearing that she knows about the alternatives for cows milk and it is again made clear that every person responds differently to certain nutrients and we can not all follow the same advice. Trial and error is the way to go!
Update
My neighbour loved the fact that I wrote this article about her! She tells me she only uses about 150ml of yoghurt each day. More would probably be t much! She even suggests testing how much would cause her belly ache; a real dare devil this woman! But I would not ask that of her, especially not prior to her vacation 😉
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