Where do you find Lactose Free Yoghurt?
Posted by Matt SamyciaWood on Monday, February 2nd, 2009Tags for this Article: lactaid, Lactose free, lactose free yogurt, yogurt
If you are lactose intolerant, your body does not produce enough lactase to break down all the lactose in the foods that you eat and the beverages that you drink.
I have been drinking lactose free milk now for the last few years which is such a delight after drinking Soya milk for several years, no longer do I have to have a latte and it taste of hot soy beans.
I am now looking for lactose free non soy based yoghurt and icecream and have searched all the big supermarkets and smaller speciality shops in Vancouver and Burnaby with NO luck. I have Googled and contacted companies out East who sell such a product but nothing here in BC.
HELP, has anyone ever seen lactose free non soy based yoghurt or icecream?
Posted on February 2nd, 2009
Hub says:
I didn’t even know that lactose free milk existed! My gf is lactose intolerant and drinks rice milk as replacement, but I’m sure she would prefer lactose free milk. Where can I find this in Vancouver downtown ? Safeway ?
Posted on February 2nd, 2009
Mark Busse says:
Oh boy, most grocery stores in Vancouver have carried lactose-free milk products for some time now. Andrea drinks it all the time and says it actually tastes better than “regular” milk, though she claims that it IS regular milk that has just been treated with the lactase enzyme.
There’s a pretty good article on Wikipedia about lactose intolerance, which explains that lactose-free milk ” Lactose-free milk is produced “by passing milk over lactase enzyme bound to an inert carrier: once the molecule is cleaved, there are no lactose ill-effects.” It also says that that butter and yogurt can be more easily digested by those with lactose intolerance for a couple of reasons.
Mmmmm…milk does a body good.
Posted on February 2nd, 2009
Warrick says:
Hi Matt,
Karen Hamilton of Tinybites fame alerted me to this thread and I wanted to extend an invitation for you to come down to Qoola Yogurt + Fruit located at 1116 Denman St at English Bay (old Cupcakes location across the street from Fatburger).
Besides our waffles and crepes, our main specialty is *fresh* frozen yogurt. The difference between our yogurt and other frozen yogurt in the area is that ours is actual fresh liquid yogurt that retains millions upon millions of probiotic cultures that create the lactase that people with lactose intolerance lack. Establishments that use a yogurt powder base can state that their yogurt has probiotic cultures but the majority of the helpful bacteria are destroyed during the heat treatment process when turned to powder.
We are the only frozen yogurt establishment in Vancouver (that we know of) that can display the Live and Active Cultures seal, signifying that our product does contain at least 10 million helpful bacteria per gram. Our own yogurt contains well over 100 million per gram. Thus, the more bacteria, hopefully the greater the likelihood that you will be able to enjoy our products.
Again, I extend an invitation to come down and try a small sample of our product. If you go home and don’t experience any symptoms, we’ll know for sure.
If you do come down, please ask for myself or Aaron and mention this forum. If we’re on the premises we’d love to come out and say hello.
Your friend at Qoola,
Warrick
PS The above information is relevant in regards to lactose intolerance. If you actually have an allergy to cow’s milk (immune system issue), which is different than lactose intolerance (digestive system issue), then any dairy product will present issues.
Posted on February 2nd, 2009
Ben Garfinkel says:
I’ve also heard that some people with intolerance to cow’s milk seem to be able to digest goat’s milk just fine. That extended to cheeses, yogurt, etc. Worth a try perhaps if you don’t mind the different taste of the goat dairy. Personally, I really like goat yogurt.
Posted on February 3rd, 2009
Todd Smith says:
Matt, I think Yogurt is one of the hardest “Lactose-free” items to track down-with the exception of Warrick’s mention above of course. The really impossible task is finding an aspartame-free, lactose-free Yogurt. Does anyone know where that can be found?
Posted on February 5th, 2009
Warrick says:
Hi Todd,
Our fresh frozen yogurt is 100% natural and contains sugar (15g per 4 oz serving), not aspartame. A few other points – a 4-ounce serving of our original is approx 90 calories, 0 grams of fat and 0 grams of cholesterol. It also provides 4% of recommended daily intake of Vitamin A, 2% of Vitamin C and 10% of Calcium. Our smallest serving is 6 oz.
Please feel free to email me if I can help answer further questions, thanks!
Your friend at Qoola,
Warrick
Posted on February 15th, 2009
ariadna says:
All yogurt is lactose free. The lactose in the milk is converted to lactic acid by the bacterial culture.
Posted on March 28th, 2009
Joanna says:
Do you guys get Dairyland or Lactaid products in Vancouver? Because here in Calgary, both companies’ lactose-free milk (regular and chocolate) are available at the Co-op and Sobeys. This whole lactose-free thing is new to me (only diagnosed this month), and thank goodness for these products. Lactose-free milk is a bit sweeter than regular milk because the lactase enzyme added to it breaks down the lactose into galactose and glucose (which would normally happen in the intestine). But it’s not that much of a difference in taste. The chocolate milk tastes exactly the same.
We also found lactose-free cheeses (mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, swiss, havarti and lappi). Some are available in the grocery store, either in the organic food aisle or the regular dairy case. The havarti, swiss and lappi were from Springbank cheese company. Can’t detect any difference in taste whatsoever. We also found lactose-free sour cream at Sobey’s and again, tastes just like regular sour cream.
And a comment on the last posting by ariadna. Not to be argumentative, but all yogurt is definitely not lactose-free. I have a background in microbiology, including teaching the public about the making of yogurt and cheese. Yogurts with live, active cultures contain less lactose than those without them, but many lactose-intolerant people cannot even eat those. The closest thing to naturally lactose-free yogurt is kéfir, a fermented yogurt drink (made by Liberté). But the beverage is bubbly (because the yeast cells release CO2) and the taste is, well, unique, nothing like yogurt.
Posted on March 30th, 2009
Matt SamyciaWood says:
Hey Joanna
yeh, we get those two types of milk, but never heard of the sour cream, I will look into that. Thanks for the post.
Posted on May 15th, 2009
Ophidiophobic says:
Don’t know if you’ve tried it but Astro brand yogurt makes one called BioBest that is 99% lactose free. There’s several different BioBest sub-types but only one is lactose free. Just look carefully on the packaging, it says right on it. It is the only one I’ve seen that is lactose free. You can get it at most Safeways and Superstore in the Vancouver area. Hope this helps.
Posted on May 19th, 2009
Kim says:
My 5 year old daughter has been so unwell that they want her to drop milk only and we have been using ‘so good’ but she does not like any of the flavours i have tried, please any advice on any others i can try. I did see silk, is that a good choice? She is trying to be lactose free on the milk only until the scan is complete and then more tests. i am despirate for help.
Posted on May 19th, 2009
Matt SamyciaWood says:
Thank you Ophidiophobic, I wasn’t aware of this, I will buy some tonight.
Posted on May 19th, 2009
Matt SamyciaWood says:
Hey Kim
Nothing taste quite like milk in my opinion (I drank soya milk for many years until lactose free milk came to the market).
There are other types of milk, potato milk, rice milk, almond milk, and probably others too. My wife prefers the almond milk but I believe it is down to the individuals personal taste.
Good luck.
Posted on May 19th, 2009
Kim says:
Do they sell small sample bottles I feel like I am in the deep end here. Someone told me there a similar lactose free milk that is like milk i think it was called lactose milk in a carton, is that right? Any one tried that?
Posted on May 19th, 2009
Matt SamyciaWood says:
The smallest I have seen is 1 liter size. Lactose milk is great but is still dairy. You may want to check with your doctor to see if this is a good option.
Posted on May 19th, 2009
Kim says:
Oh ok, well thanks for that i did not realise there was so much choice really only thought it was soya. She needs me to get her some more and hates my choices so far, so I guess we will have to try the silk. Just one more question, I noticed they come in flavours and I really wanted to pick the one closest to a milk flavour. She really did love her ‘milk’ and its just like a punishment for her. I know what you mean about its a personal taste I just want to get it right and quickly, guess there is no short cuts here.
Posted on May 20th, 2009
Matt SamyciaWood says:
Hey Kim
NONE of them taste like milk. The vanilla type I think hides the soy taste a little. Good luck.
Posted on May 20th, 2009
Kim says:
Thank you Matt for all your advice. I went down my local shop and asked them what was the best seller and any advice they gave me sample cartons so she could try a few and not cost me. All round a big help.
Posted on June 3rd, 2009
Kim says:
My doctor says cheddar is fine just not old age, I thought only goats cheese was ok. Any advice on the cheese front?
Posted on June 4th, 2009
Matt SamyciaWood says:
Ermmm, I dislike cheese very much, very much indeed (this is the nicest way I have ever put it ;-)
Sorry.
Anyone else?
Posted on June 29th, 2009
Karen says:
Hi, there. If you want to convert liquid dairy to lactose-free, try Lactaid drops (available at most drug stores). It is a lot cheaper than buying Lactaid milk at the grocery store, which is lactose free and actually does taste quite good, albiet sweet. With the Lactaid drops, however, you just add the drops to regular milk and let it “cure” in 24 hours. I’ve tried them with sour cream and yogurt, but it didn’t work too well. I’m interested in the BioBest yogurt — will check out it out. As for cheese, I’m going to Springbank to try their lactose-free varities.
Joanna, can you tell me where you got your lactose-free chedder in Calgary???
Posted on July 13th, 2009
Rachel says:
Hi,
I am from the Toronto area & have been lactose intolerant for many years as well have IBS. It is not fun finding food that does not cause me symptons.
For this reason I never tried yogurt until I was in the USA & found lactose free yogurt there. Now I am trying to find it in the Toronto area. Anyone know where?
Also Sobey’s sells many lactose free cheeses & I found out most munster cheeses are lactose free! Loblaws, RCSS & most grocery stores sell lactose free cottage cheese & sour cream. So Good \ice cream\ & Chapmans frozen desserts are also very good.
Also, for other foods that are not milk or dairy per se, but have dairy ie cookies, mayo etc. Look if there is a small symbol ie: COR, MK or says \pareve\ without the letter D,these are kosher foods that do not have any milk products & are very safe to eat.
Good luck all & happy eating!
Posted on August 1st, 2009
faeezh says:
hi,
I have found lactose free yogurt in the LIDDELLS product. You can contact this company.
Posted on August 1st, 2009
Annette Berkers says:
Is this Liddells in Canada, my son is lactose intolerant and loves yogurt but have been unable to find any.
Posted on August 5th, 2009
Matt SamyciaWood says:
OK, here it is, I have found one that can be bought at most stores thanks to Ophidiophobic posted above on May 15th, 2009.
The brand is: Astro BioBest and it is 90% lactose free, which has no negative effect on me or my two year old who is also lactose intolerant.
There are several brands of BioBest, it is the one that is in the blue packaging. It is available in a large container and the smaller pots.
It has been 10 years since I last ate yogurt, I’m loving it.
Posted on August 10th, 2009
Ali says:
Thanks for updating this post with the news of the BioBest yogurt, Matt. I’m also in Vancouver, and I had just given up on finding lactose-free yogurt in stores and was considering trying to make my own yogurt from lactase-treated milk… but 90% reduced lactose sounds worth trying first!
Posted on August 20th, 2009
rebekah rosanne says:
Dear Joanna:
You said this:
We also found lactose-free cheeses (mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, swiss, havarti and lappi). Some are available in the grocery store, either in the organic food aisle or the regular dairy case. The havarti, swiss and lappi were from Springbank cheese company. Can’t detect any difference in taste whatsoever. We also found lactose-free sour cream at Sobey’s and again, tastes just like regular sour cream.
I’m in the United States – where can I get these cheeses and the Sobey’s sour cream in the U.S.?
Thanks.
Posted on August 31st, 2009
Bud Haxby says:
Auburn Dairy Products in Auburn Washington makes lactose free yogurt in their Yami brand. You can contact Auburn Dairy at 253-833-3400.
Posted on September 7th, 2009
Chaz says:
Safeway has a store brand in the US called Lucerne that produces several varieties of ‘Lactose-Free’ milk. (i.e. Fat Free, Low Fat, 2% and Whole milk).
LACTAID is a brand name that produces the enzyme tablets,and Lactose-Free Milk, Cottage-cheese, and ice cream in several flavors (the brand name is Scoopables ice cream)
BREYER’s ice cream has ONE lactose-free ice cream in a luscious vanilla.
Dreyer’s has a line of ice creams based on coconut milk (no – they do not all taste like coconut :)
Posted on September 10th, 2009
Jenn says:
Hello,
thanks for all the info. I’ve just recently (after giving birth to my first child) figured out that I am lactose intolerant by doing an exclusionary diet. My brother can’t handle a drop of dairy, but I’m not that bad :)
This thread is really helping me out. I really appreciate all the info about the milk (mainly the fact that it comes in chocolate too LOL) cheese, and everything else. I live in Calgary and shouldn’t have any problems finding these product.
Thanks everyone :)
Posted on September 16th, 2009
OLD Doug says:
Well folks, this old guy(circa 1926)has been lactose intolerant ever since childhood. My mother proved it when she insisted on my drinking down a glass of milk(it is GOOD for you Dougie!)which I did, and up it came in a gusher, all over the floor! Which, poor mom had to clean up the floor, and never insisted again! For the Canucks, there is a great ice cream available from Chapman’s a lactose and sugar free ice cream. And they have great flavors! Great stuff….and NO problems
Cheers, Doug in BC
Posted on September 29th, 2009
Malin says:
Hi everyone!
I just stumbled upon this website searching for “lactose free yoghurt” on google.
I am visiting the US from Sweden next week and it seems hard to find! The only brand that I know of is Lactaid and they dont have it.
I feel sorry for you, we have SO MANY products here in Sweden! Everything you can imagine, so you should plan a holliday here :)
All the best!
Posted on October 29th, 2009
Mel says:
Trader Joe’s has lactose free Swiss cheese and 2 yogurt cheese. The jalapeno yogurt cheese is spicey and the plain is very mild. All of these are great. Bordon’s makes American sliced cheese. I’d love to find lactose free yogurt and mozzarella cheese–are they out there?
Posted on November 4th, 2009
Angela says:
I go to my local Dierbergs. They carry soy yogurt and coconut milk yogurt. I also buy Breyers Lactose-free yogurt. It tastes great!
Posted on November 6th, 2009
maria says:
need more info on lactose free milk
Posted on November 10th, 2009
Badjuggler says:
Here in Minneapolis, our two biggest chain supermarkets, Cub & Rainbow, both recently started selling their own private-label lactose-free milk. Tastes the same as Lactaid but $2.99 vs. $4.29 for a half gallon. That’s a big savings. I have been making my own yogurt for about a year using lactose-free milk. It’s wonderful with some frozen blueberries and sugar tossed in after cooling.
Posted on November 10th, 2009
Badjuggler says:
Also, Tofutti makes tofu-based cream cheese and sour cream that I think are wonderful. Taste like the real thing and keep in the fridge a lot longer. Available in the health food section of our major chain stores.
Posted on November 16th, 2009
BayBoy says:
I’m 30 years old and just found out this year that I’m Lactose Intolerant after being in pretty ruff shape for a year. I didn’t know you could get this at any time in your life and that most people don’t even know they have it, maybe due to mild intolerance. I think I’ve had the problem off and on for a couple of years but this time it was much much worse and wouldn’t go away. Like some of you I have found the lactose free milk and think it’s quite good and I’ve noticed it has a much longer shelf life than the regular milk or at least the expiry dates are much further away and doesn’t seem to smell sour after a few days like regular milk does, to me anyways. I’ve looked for lactose free yogurt and cheeses but haven’t found any at Walmart, which is were I usually go now since it’s closer to me and to other places I shop but I’ll try Sobey’s and maybe some of the other ones to see if they have them. Even though we have all of the large super markets here in Southern Ontario I’ve found that it depends on the local market and store Manager on whether or not they carry certain specialty items. It might be of help to some out there that I find you need to read the label of everything you buy and look for and ingredient, modified milk ingredient, it seems to be in just about everything that’s prepared or already made like frozen dinners, junk food,desserts, canned soups, packaged mixes like soup and sauce,etc. Basically it seems to be 3/4’s or more of anything that is packaged and/or easy. I was getting hit hard with the frozen dinners I’d bring for lunch at work. I find it’s one of the worst for the intestinal pain and burning and also full fat milk products are quite bothersome, even just a tiny bit. I seriously thought I was having organ failure after I ate the small bit of sour cream that comes with your baked potato at Wendy’s, that was one of the scariest day’s of my life. Skim and 1% milk aren’t that bothersome in small doses like a shot of it in tea. I think the hardest part was having to quit my Tim’s. It’s ok with milk(lactose free) but it’s just not the same without the full fat cream and there’s no point in drinking it only to vomit it up and live on the toilet for the rest of the day. One helpful tip is that if you happen to eat something with dairy and you start to feel the symptoms in your intestines then take a large dose of imodium. The stuff has been out for years but I just found it late last year and it works wonders. Not only is it quite effective for the frequent bathroom trip’s but it’s the only thing that I’ve found that works well at quickly quelling the pain and burning in the intestines, which gets very bad for me. The lactate pills can help with 2 pills of the 9000 units but I find it only helps to prevent pain and lower the intensity of the burning, urgent bathroom trip’s would still be there. Wow, look at me rant. I’ve only done these blog things a couple of times so I guess I have a lot to say. 2 quick last things is that I’ve heard that Kosher or at least a lot of Kosher foods are lactose free due to the fact that they don’t use cow’s milk as an ingredient, I’m going to find out all I can on this to see if it’s true and post my findings, I don’t know anyone who is jewish so I’ll have to resort to the internet. Lastly there’s a book being promoted by this natural health guy who has a popular weekly show on CP24 in Toronto and I believe it gets aired out west. The book is written by some naturopathic doctor from Guelph Ontario and it has natural cures, or supposed cures for all of the digestive ailments like EBS and Lactose Intolerance, etc. I’m going to order the book and see if any of it actually works. I think that some natural remedies work and others don’t, mostly due to the beneficial properties not being in high enough doses. I’ll post my findings. I dont’ know the name of the book off hand but it was listed on the website for DR. Bryce Wylde. There isn’t much on his website so it should be easy to find if anyone is interested. I thought I would have exceeded some sort of word limit by now :)
Posted on November 17th, 2009
Robert Banks says:
It would be nice to get a definitive answer to the question of whether yogurt has lactose. Some have said that the organism uses up all the lactose in the milk in the process of making yogurt. Some say that only a portion of the lactose is converted, so lactose intolerant people will still have a problem. But another opinion is that the bacteria that makes the yogurt will help you digest the lactose that remains in the yogurt. If the bacteria needs lactose to do its work, you shouldn’t be able to make yogurt out of lactose free milk.
This seems to be a straightforward matter of some relatively simple biochemistry. But I have been looking for an answer and just find differences of opinion all around.
Posted on November 17th, 2009
Robert says:
BTW, if you find that Chapman’s products are presently hard to find, it is because there was a disasterous fire at the Chapman’s plant in Markdale, Ontario in August (shortly after the town was hit with one of the tornadoes that ravaged Ontario that month).
The plant was totally destroyed. I understand that it is not the only facility they have, but it is certainly the main one. (The distribution warehouse was unaffected so product was still being shipped for some time after the incident.)
The owners pledge that they will rebuild and restart production of their ice cream and yogurt products, but that might take awhile. When production does restart, it would very much help out this company and town to seek out their products again, if you find their products suitable.
Posted on December 2nd, 2009
Cindy says:
There is a lactiad fre icream its made by Champmans, and it comes in a couple of flavors..Maple walnut, Vanilla.And black Cherry is what i have found.I have found it at Walmart.Sobys.andNofrills OrSuperstore….And its goooooodddddd. ihave a hubby and daughter who is locatose intalerat and one a siliach(flour) intolerat, so life is Inertesting, Gl
Posted on December 16th, 2009
Catherine says:
Beatrice manufactures lactose-free skim milk, but not organic, and other manufacturers sell organic skim milk, but not lactose-free.
Here is the question: Does anyone know where I can purchase lactose-free skim milk that’s also ORGANIC?
Posted on December 16th, 2009
Kathryn says:
“Here is the question: Does anyone know where I can purchase lactose-free skim milk that’s also ORGANIC?”
I just jumped from here to the Lactaid website and saw organic brand milk advertised on their site. I would check with them to see where they distribute it.
Posted on January 4th, 2010
Angela says:
My opinion would be that yogurt does contain lactose as it makes me very ill when I eat, I just discovered my lactose intolerance in May 2009. I drink Lactancia lactose free milk and have found cheese at IGA.
Posted on January 13th, 2010
Ana Laura says:
Look in Mexican grosery stores. Mexico has a lot of lactose free products and they are really good. My daughter and I traveled to Mexico City and found so many flavors of drinkable yogurt, one was pineapple and it tasted like pina colada, it was really good and lactose free. I am trying to find something in the US but here they have only milk and it taste bad so I am looking also in the Mexico stores.
Posted on January 14th, 2010
Stacey says:
Every one needs to look into making their own yogurt if they want it lactose free. In order for that to happen it has to ferment at about 105 degrees for 24 hours. The bacteria feeds on all the lactose and it take 24 hours for it to be gone. The yogurt can be quite tart depending on the starter you use. Also about the cheeses… any aged/hard/sharp cheese is lactose free.
But soft cheeses are not… like mozzarella. I found this all out from a diet… the specific carbohydrate diet. It’s to treat and help heal intestinal issues (chrones, celiacs, ulcerative colitis ect…). There are a few websites just do a search on SCD diet or breaking the vicious cycle. Although it’s not specifically for lactose intolerant people it’s a lactose free diet (also sugar free, casein free, wheat free and oat free). Anyhow there are tons of recipes out there also and they would work for anyone with a lactose intolerance.
Posted on January 25th, 2010
L. M. says:
Hi all. I found this thread while searching for some lactose free yogurt. I used to be able to get it at a local A&P (now Metro) but no longer. Anyone know what stores in eastern Ontario might carry this?
By the way, in my own experience of being lactose intolerant for 20 years now, Natrel is the Best choice for milk. It really does taste exactly like the real deal. Also, Chapman’s icecream has a lactose free line which is really good.
Thanks for any help you might be able to give.
Posted on January 28th, 2010
chris says:
BioBest by Astro makes 90% lactose free yogourt with active probiotic cultures. Look for the blue container.
Posted on February 22nd, 2010
amanda says:
Just wondering what brand of sour cream people are buying at Sobeys i’ve have never seen it at my local one.
Thanks
Posted on April 13th, 2010
Molly says:
you can buy 99% lactose free sour cream President’s choice. Anyone know of any lactose free cream cheese or cottage cheese.