Here at Alpro, we’re committed plant-based pioneers. All of our products, including our drinks, are dairy free and naturally lactose-free. So, whether you’re trying to avoid lactose or simply curious about what lactose-free alternatives are out there when it comes to your morning cuppa, you’re definitely in the right place.
We make lactose and dairy-free plant-based drinks
At Alpro, we don’t make lactose-free milk. We call our drinks exactly what they are - drinks. This is because they’re 100% plant-based, rather than being produced by the mammary glands of mammals.
Here we’re taking a look at what lactose actually is, what it means to have an intolerance, and answering any questions you might have about lactose-free drinks and how they might fit into your lifestyle.
What is lactose?
Here’s the science-y bit: lactose is a naturally occurring sugar that’s found in milk and other dairy products (1). Some of the obvious candidates include butter, cheese, yogurts and cream and ice cream (2). But lactose can also get into places where you’d least expect to find it (cheeky). For example, it can be found in a number of processed foods like (2):
Cereals
Bread, and crackers
Cakes biscuits and pastries
Salad dressings and sauces
Some protein shakes and diet products
What is lactose intolerance? [RZ1]
First thing’s first, lactose intolerance is just that - an intolerance. Despite a lot of the symptoms being very similar, lactose intolerance isn’t the same as a cow’s milk allergy (1).
Lactose intolerance happens when your body can’t digest lactose (3), most commonly because your body isn’t producing enough of an enzyme called lactase (1). There are a few other things that can cause lactose intolerance[PB6] too, such as some diseases (2). (2).
Lactose-free or dairy free: what's the difference?
Going lactose-free isn’t the same as going dairy free. If in doubt, make sure you check the labels on the foods you buy, just to make sure there’s no lactose lurking!
If you’re lactose intolerant, your GP may well discuss with you a number of options that will hopefully have you feeling better in a jiffy. One of the most common is to reduce or completely avoid foods containing lactose.
With this in mind, you might well be on the hunt for some lactose-free milk or even dairy -free drink alternatives that fit seamlessly - not to mention deliciously - into your daily diet.
At the end of the day, lactose intolerance doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on all of the good stuff* when it comes to nutrition. each one of our plant-based drinks is packed full of essential vitamins and minerals, for example:
Alpro Oat Drink is a source of fibre, calcium and vitamin B2 and vitamin D
Our Soya Drink is is rich in plant protein and a source of calcium, vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and B2
Alpro Almond drink is also a source of calcium, as well as containing vitamins D and B12
So enjoy your morning coffee with a splash of our Alpro Barista range. Start your day with a bowl of cereal covered with our deliciously creamy oat drink. Or simply add a dash of coconut drink to soups and curries for a mouth-watering meal.
Whether you’re nuts about nuts or prefer to sip on soya, we have a full range of plant based, lactose free alternatives to make your switch to lactose free as smooth as possible.
And even if we do say so ourselves, they taste pretty incredible too.
How do we make our lactose free products?
Are we leaving this to the video to explain? Otherwise, we'd need to go into how each product was made, as they're all lactose free.
References:
Allergy UK. What is lactose intolerance? [online] 2021. Available at https://www.allergyuk.org/resources/lactose-intolerance/ [Accessed March 2023]
NHS. Lactose intolerance [online] 2023. Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lactose-intolerance/ [Accessed March 2023]
British Nutrition Foundation. Dairy and alternatives [online] 2022. Available at https://www.nutrition.org.uk/media/erijhcpr/dairy-and-alternatives.pdf [Accessed March 2023]