Lactose-free bread is any type of bread that has been made without the use of dairy products. Usually this kind of bread is part of a lactose-free diet for patients who are lactose intolerant and unable to digest lactose, or milk sugar. If these individuals do eat milk products, they often experience painful symptoms, including abdominal pain, gas, cramps, and diarrhea. Although lactose-free bread may be a challenge to locate in mainstream grocery stores, it can often be found in health food cooperatives or baked at home.
People who are diagnosed as lactose intolerant have a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which helps the body to digest lactose, or what is sometimes called milk sugar. During the digestion of milk products, lactase is produced in the small intestine. Lactase assists in breaking down lactose in order to completely digest it. Patients who are lactose intolerant have a deficiency of this enzyme, which makes it difficult and painful to digest any type of milk product.
In order to stabilize the digestive system, a lactose-free diet is often recommended to these patients so that they can eat normally again without experiencing pain. For many patients lactose-free bread can be helpful in maintaining a healthy digestive tract. Since bread is such a common dietary staple, lactose-free bread may make eating more enjoyable and pain free. There are several lactose free products available on the market which can also be helpful in addressing the diet problems of the lactose intolerant population.
Many different types of lactose-free bread can be integrated into this type of eating plan for patients who live with lactose intolerance. If a recipe for bread calls for milk, it can be made lactose-free by substituting rice, almond, or soy milk. Both French and Italian bread are usually baked without dairy products.
If a patient enjoys baking, lactose-free recipes for just about any type of breadstuff from biscuits to corn bread are available. There are lactose-free sweet breads, fruit breads, and corn breads. Plain white or whole grain bread can also be dairy-free, and even buttermilk cornbread can be baked using almond milk and soy margarine instead of buttermilk.