Lactose intolerance is the inability of a person to properly digest the sugar lactose. As a form of sugar, lactose needs a special enzyme to be broken down into two simpler sugars: galactose and glucose. The lactase enzyme, produced by the cells of the intestinal lining, is the sole body that can break down lactose. If there is a deficiency of the lactase, lactose will remain in its original form. The intestines cannot process it and eventually, it will ferment in your guts. This occurrence brings about a myriad of symptoms that can prove to be really discomforting and which may even affect your usual everyday activities.
Lactose intolerance leads people to the elimination of lactose-containing foods from their diet. Staying away from milk and milk products is the most obvious option there is. However, it is a good thing that since a lot of people all over the world experience the wrath of lactose intolerance, many manufacturers have developed lactose-free products (and continue to do so). This way, lactose intolerant individuals can still enjoy foods and beverages that they would normally ignore.
Milk is one of the most commonly used ingredients in foods especially in desserts. Besides its creamy texture, milk is also sweet and possesses the ability to put a tasty flavor to the food being prepared. However, not everyone can fully enjoy it. This is why the demand for lactose-free and lactose-reduced milk and dairy products has become very apparent.
One of the popular desserts that mainly use milk as ingredient is ice cream. Years back, lactose intolerant individuals cannot binge on ice cream as much as they want because of their digestive condition. But today, they can be assured that they can enjoy the sweet side of life with lactose-free ice cream.
You can actually make your own homemade lactose-free ice cream. There are several lactose-free recipes that can make your fight against lactose intolerance a sweet experience. Basically, this dessert is one that doesn't use regular cow's milk and milk products.
There are special lactose-free ice cream recipes that you can always search about online. These recipes normally make use of milk substitutes such as almond milk, soy milk, rice milk or coconut milk. At first, these recipes may appear like they are just similar with the typical dessert recipes that make use of regular milk. However, if you look at it clearly, you may notice variations in the other ingredients and in the procedure of creating the ice cream itself.
Meanwhile, you can also make use of regular recipes and add the mentioned ingredients while following the procedures carefully. However, you should to it that the ingredients, most especially the milk, with lactose-free or lactose-reduced products. These products are basically regular dairy products that are added with the lactase enzyme before the product is packaged. This way, lactose is already broken down into the glucose and galactose form even before the product sits on your grocery basket.
Below is a sample recipe of a non-dairy strawberry ice cream that you can try making at home:
Ingredients:
¼ cup of apple-strawberry juice
2/3 cup of all-fruit strawberry jam
2 teaspoon of kosher gelatin
3 cups of vanilla soy milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla
Procedures:
First, sprinkle the gelatin over the apple-strawberry juice. Let it sit while stirring every now and then, until the gelatin is softened and dissolved. This will take about 10 minutes.
Next, whisk together the soy milk and strawberry jam in a medium saucepan. Cook it until it becomes slightly hot while stirring from time to time. Then, remove from heat.
Next, add the softened gelatin mixture to the milk and strawberry mix. Stir until the gelatin is dissolved. Add the vanilla. Let the mix cool: refrigerate until chilled enough.
Finally, spoon the chilled mix and put in an ice cream maker. Check the manual of your maker for equipment instructions as to how long should it take for the mix to be a fully-pledged ice cream.
