If you have IBS and are lactose intolerant, what milk can you have?

In a different post I researched and wrote about lactose intolerance and what that means for IBS sufferers.

Here I am going to look into lactose-free and low FODMAP milk options, following the information and recommendation of Monash University (Monash University app, iPhone version November 2015).

Lactose Free Does Not Mean Low FODMAP

Not all lactose free milks are low FODMAP and therefore suitable for IBS. Let’s see which ones are and which ones are not. In all cases, read the ingredients, just in case high FODMAPs ingredient such as inulin (e.g. chicory root), fructose etc. have been added to these lactose free milks.

As always try small quantities first, to see if you can tolerate these milks or not.

This list has been updated on the 16/05/2016 following Monash University announcement that rice milk is now low FODMAP up to 200 ml (4/5 cup, 7 fl oz).

Lactose Free Cow’s Milk – Low FODMAP

This is normal cow’s milk, which gets ultra-pasteurized and where small quantity of the lactase enzyme is added to break down the lactose, so that lactose intolerant people can still have it. The lactase makes the milk taste sweeter than ordinary milk, but it contains the same proteins and calcium.

Any Other Animal Milk – High FODMAP

All animal milk contains lactose. If you consume goat, sheep or buffalo milk, and you have lactose intolerance, you will get those nasty symptoms, unless of course you have the lactose free version.

Soy Milk

-from soybeans (high FODMAP)
-from soy protein (low FODMAP)

Sanitarium So Good Soy Milk

The Soy Milk made from whole soybeans is a healthy lactose free milk with high quality protein and nutrients, but unfortunately it is high in the Oligos-GOS and therefore high FODMAP and not suitable for IBS sufferers. On the contrary, soy milk made from isolated soy protein, it’s safe for IBS sufferers (tested quantity up to 1 cup or 250 ml), although it is a more refined and processed food compared to the one made from whole soybeans and naturally does not contain the same nutrients (which are usually added in).

Oat Milk (high FODMAP)

Oat milk is made from oat groats, hulled grain that is broken up into fragments, combined with water. This mixture is boiled and simmered and once cooled and strained, forms oat milk. Plain oat milk has a very mild, slightly sweet flavour. Oat milk contains gluten, which is not a problem if you are not coeliac or allergic to gluten.

Coconut Milk (small serving is low FODMAP)

From a can or long life (UHT) – low FODMAP (125 ml or 1/2 cup)
This milk can be a delicious alternative to milk, especially in cakes, pancakes and most sweet recipes that require milk. It is made from the pulp of mature coconuts. The meat of the coconut is generally grated and then squeezed through a cheesecloth to make the real thick and creamy coconut milk. What is left is soaked in water and squeezed to make milk that is thin. Coconut milk doesn’t have much protein and it is quite fatty in saturated fat.

There is a big debate around the topic of coconut products like milk and oil being good or bad because of the high percentage of saturated fat and even experts are not too clear on that and you may want to look into it more yourself.

For what the FODMAPs are concerned, coconut milk from can or UHT longlife, is considered a low FODMAP milk up to 125ml or 1/2 cup.

Almond Milk (low FODMAP 1 cup, 250 ml)

Almond milk is rich in in nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, selenium, manganese, potassium, iron, phosphorus and zinc, as well as vitamins D and E, but not very rich in protein. The process consists in soaking the almonds in water and then add more water and blend it all together. The paste is then strained and what is left is the almond milk.

Hemp Milk (low FODMAP 1 cup, 250 ml)

Hemp milk is a plant milk, which is made from soaking hemp seeds in water than grounding them in a blender. The milk can then be refined by pouring it over a cheesecloth. This unprocessed version of the milk needs to be kept in the fridge and consumed within a week.

It can sometimes be found in health food store, although I haven’t been able to find it yet.

Avoid larger servings (>300ml) as it contains moderate amounts of Oligos-GOS.

Rice Milk (low FODMAP 4/5 cup, 200 ml)

Rice milk can be prepared in different ways. It can also be made at home, by rinsing the rice under water, before boiling it and when the rice is soft, it needs to be blended. At this point the mixture is strained through a cheesecloth and the liquid that goes through is the rice milk, which can be stored in the fridge for a few days.

Rice milk is high in carbohydrates and low in protein, often it is fortified with minerals and vitamins to make it more nutritious. Rice milk has recently been re-tested by Monash University (may 2016) and it’s low FODMAP.