Image above from Pixabay
by Claudia Meydrech aka happynutritionist
New on Wizzley September 2015 - Updated 2/12/19
Finding Dairy Free Chocolate Candy for the Lactose Intolerant
Chocolate lovers like myself who are lactose intolerant need to learn how to avoid lactose but get our chocolate too, I'm here to help you with that.
Is there really a dairy-free chocolate for those with Lactose Intolerance? Can you eat chocolate if you are Lactose intolerant? The answer is yes, but you need to know a few things before you buy holiday chocolates, or grab a chocolate candy bar off the shelf when shopping.
I am lactose intolerant. After months of feeling sick every day, and a few years of feeling badly to a lesser degree, my doctor determined in November of 2011 that I am lactose intolerant. This meant I had to learn what foods contain dairy that I CAN'T eat, what dairy foods DON'T contain lactose that I CAN eat. I have to read labels to make sure milk isn't hidden in the ingredients, and find replacements for many foods that I love but must now avoid. It's a challenge, but not impossible, to have your chocolate and eat it too...without symptoms of Lactose Intolerance.
Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance
The same as so many other diseases of the intestinal system
Since the symptoms of Lactose Intolerance are so similar to any intestinal ailment, it can be hard to pin down. In my case, I thought my problem was related to stress and put off going to the doctor. Then when I went to one doctor, he didn't find anything wrong. I went to a gastroenterologist, he explained to me why my symptoms were not stress, but didn't mention lactose intolerance. It was when I went to my annual physical that my MD asked me what I ate at bedtime (since I got sick during the night every night and felt sick most of the next day)...I told her yogurt and fruit. Immediately she suggested stopping dairy for a month, she said that lactose intolerance often starts when we are in our 40's and 50's. I did as she suggested, and improved immediately.
Symptoms of Lactose Intolerance include:
Nausea
Bloating
Diarrhea
Gas
Cramps in the Abdomen
You can find more information about symptoms and the disease at mayclinic.com, webmd.com and other similar sites.
What a happy day it was to finally have a doctor suggest that I might be lactose intolerant so that I knew what course of action to take.
Poll: Are You Lactose Intolerant?
35 votes
Milk and Dairy Free Chocolate Candy
NuGo Dark, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Dairy Free, 1.76-Ounce Bars (Pack of 12)Find out what decadence tastes like. This all-natural Chocolate Chip bar covered in Dark Chocolate will curb all of those chocolate cravings and leave you wanting more. NuGo Dar...
$24.94
Taza Chocolate | Amaze Bar | Sea Salt & Almond | 80% Stone Ground | Certified Organic | Non-GMO |...The Taza Sea Salt & Almond Amaze Bar combines perfectly unrefined 80% dark stone ground organic chocolate with a crave-worthy combo of freshly roasted almonds and a sprinkle of ...
$7.66
Raaka Bourbon Cask Aged Organic Dark Chocolate Bar 82% CacaoThe first chocolate featuring cask-aged cocoa beans. To make this bar, we crack Bolivian cacao beans into cacao nibs, then age the nibs in empty Berkshire Mountain Distilling bo...
$16.89
Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini-Chips, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free + Soy-Free, Vegan +...Premium chocolate derived from sustainably harvested cocoa beans.
$60.0
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Why is Dark Chocolate better than regular Milk Chocolate?
It's all in the numbers
When it comes to dark chocolate, it is important to consider the percentage of Cacao in the Chocolate.
I seem to do okay with anything that has 60% or higher on the package. The darker the chocolate is, the more bitter it tastes, so I'm happy that I, and most, can safely eat a 60% Cacao chocolate.
Of course if a seller claims there is no dairy at all, this would be a safe choice as well.
There are chocolates with a higher percentage of dark chocolate, and I like them as well. It's actually good for you as the darker it is, the more antioxidants it contains.
There are brands that mark the packaging with the percentage of Cacao.
Many are helped by taking Lactaid with dairy containing foods
Lactaid-Fast Act Lactase Enzyme Supplement 96ctLactaid Fast Act helps prevent the gas, bloating, or diarrhea that many people experience after eating foods containing dairy products. Enjoy dairy again!
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Does Lactaid Really Help Lactose Intolerance?
Sometimes yes, sometimes I'm not sure
I have purchased Lactaid, the chewable kind, and find that it helps a lot of the time if I'm aware that I'm eating dairy...but there are other forms of dairy that contain lactose that are easy to miss when you're still learning, so it might be good to take it with most meals, especially if you are eating away from home. The box suggests that you chew up a tablet with your first mouthful of lactose containing food, it tastes good.
According to the packaging, if you are eating more lactose containing food later in the day, say 1/2 hour or more after your initial dose, take another. If you are eating a lot of lactose, they suggest you take 2. Read the instructions on the type of Lactaid product you buy.
For others, it doesn't help enough, and they still suffer nausea and bloating...for these hyper-sensitive people, it may be best to simply avoid dairy that contains lactose all together.
Easy Recipe: How to Make Your Own Milk or Dairy Free Chocolate Candy
It's gluten and sugar free too!
Does Lactose Allergy spoil special holidays for you?
It doesn't have to!
I hope that if nothing else the information above has reassured you that you can enjoy eating lactose free chocolate on Christmas, Valentines Day, Easter and other special holidays throughout the year.
Dark chocolate has healthy properties, which is wonderful to know if you are a chocolate lover.
So please be reassured that there are plenty of milk free chocolates available, I'll try to keep a few options below on this page as the different holidays draw near.
Do you avoid Chocolate due to Lactose Intolerance?
happynutritionistFeb 3, 2015
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happynutritionistSep 30, 2014
KaitlynDeMetroSep 30, 2014