People who are lactose intolerant may experience bloating, gas, cramps, and severe stomach pain after consuming substances that contain high levels of lactose. Thankfully, not all cheese is off-limits when following a low-lactose diet. Those who are lactose intolerant can still still enjoy a variety of cheeses in moderation. Keep in mind that cheese contains more lactose on average the fresher it is. Therefore, creamier versions like ricotta or cottage cheese should be completely avoided by persons with especially sensitive stomachs. Aged, hard cheeses—which have a reduced sugar content—are gentler on the stomach since sugar is the main component of lactose that makes it harder to digest.
Parmesan
Aged cheese, like parmesan, almost has no lactose. For those who cannot tolerate lactose, this makes it a perfect option. Lactose is rarely detectable in the finished product after processing because parmesan is created from cow's milk and aged for a very long time! If time is of the essence, you can purchase pre-grated parmesan or make your own fresh batch at home. This method will also result in a more fresher taste. Amounts of lactose in parmesan range from 0.0 to 3.2%.
Aged Cheddar
Another lactose-free cheese option for those who are lactose sensitive is aged cheddar. The British-born cheese cheddar, which is also a popular choice in America, is a firm, white or light yellow cheese. If necessary, it can be bought already grated to save time. However, freshly grated cheese will taste much fresher, so Iit is suggested purchasing complete blocks of aged cheddar and grating at home as needed! Mild cheddar, which is milder and not aged for a long time, has between 0.0 and 2.1 percent lactose. Longer-aged hard cheddar often has less lactose, though it can still contain up to 2.1%.
Gouda
It turns out that Gouda is a fantastic cheese for people who are lactose intolerant. Gouda is a semi-soft cheese with a lactose content of just 0.0 to 2.2%. According to experts, it is one of the greatest low-lactose cheese varieties. Today, there are so many flavours available, including blue gouda. All of these go well with those briny olives. It can also be eaten on its own or with some fresh fruit. Really, there isn't much in the way of food that Gouda can't go with!
Brie
Brie is another option. Brie also has a very low lactose content. White cheese called Brie has gained popularity in the US in recent years. It's a great choice for those who are lactose intolerant because of its mild flavour and creamy texture! Brie has a lactose level per serving size that ranges from 0.0 to less than 0.50 percent. Brie is one of the cheeses with the lowest lactose content as a result. Anytime of day, add some brie to your favourite salad or enjoy with fresh fruit for a delicious combination! Though technically speaking, Lactose Free 101 states that Brie's lactose level can be so low that it is essentially undetectable, it does typically include some amount of lactose.
Blue
Blue cheese has a very low lactose content of between 0.0 and 2.5%. Blue cheese is acceptable if you have a lactose intolerance. Enjoy! After discussing cheeses with a low lactose content, let's examine the other extreme.
Sadly, those who are lactose sensitive must stay away from cheese products that are high in lactose. These include ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, lactose-free pizza cheese, cream cheese, and a variety of others.
