If you enjoy eating dairy but have a lactose sensitivity, you may be wondering does heavy cream have lactose. This is a commonly asked question, as many people have to avoid consuming too much lactose.
Lactose is a part of dairy that has a strong tendency to cause people to have an upset stomach and intestinal discomfort. This is because some people struggle to process lactose, resulting in a variety of side effects.
This is very uncomfortable, and many people avoid the lactose so that they do not have to deal with the side effects. But this can sometimes feel difficult depending on the kind of food you are making and the ingredients you need.
Heavy cream, for instance, is a common ingredient that you may find being listed in many different recipes. Keep reading to find out does heavy cream have lactose and if you can substitute something else for heavy cream.
Heavy Cream Is Low In Lactose
If you have a sensitivity to lactose in milk, you may be wondering does heavy cream have a lactose. Unfortunately, heavy cream does contain lactose, though it only contains a small amount which can be a good thing for most people.
It is estimated that heavy cream only contains 0.5g of lactose per tablespoon. This is actually quite reasonable when you consider how much lactose other kinds of dairy products have.
The only problem is that the majority of recipes that call for heavy cream are going to call for much larger amounts than just a tablespoon. This is why many people who have a lactose sensitivity still have to avoid heavy cream.
Adding 1 tablespoon of heavy cream to your latte or coffee in the morning is most likely not going to cause any problems. But if you are making a soup recipe or whipped cream that calls for a cup or more of heavy cream, that can be unrealistic.
That is why the majority of lactose-free people still continue to avoid heavy cream, as the amount of lactose will add up quickly. Resulting in an upset stomach and a lot of discomfort if you consume too much lactose.
This is something you have to consider when looking at different dairy products as you have to look at the quantity as well as the amount of lactose. You may also find that you are more sensitive to certain kinds of dairy products for various reasons.
There is no one size fits all for people who are sensitive to lactose, so you will need to do what works for you.
Heavy Cream Can be Substituted
Even though you may not be able to consume heavy cream because of the lactose, that doesn’t mean that you have no options. There are plenty of substitutes you can make if a recipe is calling for heavy cream.
This is a great option if you want to still make certain recipes, but you do not want to risk consuming lactose. This is a route that many people take so that they can keep their lactose consumption down but still enjoy creamy dishes.
If you find yourself frequently trying to replace heavy cream, there are several alternatives that you can use. Some of these can be bought in a store, or you can make some of these at home with what you have on hand.
Dairy Free Heavy Cream
The good news for those who are lactose-free is that there are some limited dairy-free heavy cream alternatives on the market. Some dairy-free brands have branched out and created their own heavy cream substitute for customers.
These are typically made of a blend of dairy-free milks and other additives to create something very similar to heavy cream. They do not contain any lactose like normal dairy but still provide that rich creaminess that you are looking for.
Some of these heavy cream substitutes even whip up like normal heavy cream. Making them the perfect substitute if you are trying to make homemade whipped cream that you can dip strawberries into or top a cake with.
These are the only kind of substitutes that allow you to do that, as homemade heavy cream substitutes are not going to whip up. So this is something to keep in mind if you are looking for an alternative to heavy cream that won’t have lactose.
Dairy Free Milk
Some people also choose to use dairy-free milk if a recipe calls for heavy cream. This is a great alternative that is simple and effective, without you having to suffer through any lactose being added to your meal.
This will give certain dishes a creaminess that they otherwise wouldn’t have, but it won’t be quite as creamy as heavy cream. So using a dairy-free milk alternative will only work in certain recipes.
The best option would be to use soy milk, which has a thicker and creamier consistency. This will help to give dishes like creamy soups more of a rich and creamy consistency.
Sour Cream
Sour cream is a frequent alternative that people who are lactose intolerant use in their recipes. Though sour cream is made with dairy, it contains very little lactose in comparison to heavy cream.
Sour cream is also rich and creamy, helping you to achieve that creaming is that heavy cream would give you. It is also easy to mask and a wide variety of recipes without necessarily making them sour.
This is a great heavy cream alternative in desserts and a wide variety of savory recipes. Overall, it is one of the most reliable heavy cream substitutes that isn’t going to give you too much lactose.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is a frequent dairy-free milk alternative that is used by those who avoid dairy or avoid lactose. Coconut milk is naturally very thick and creamy with a rich consistency.
It contains a lot of fat, just like heavy cream, giving you that richness without the lactose. Canned coconut milk is best for this as it is going to be much more rich and thick in your recipes.
Keep in mind that this is going to add a significant amount of fat to whatever you put it in. And those with a nut allergy should not consume coconut milk as coconut is a nut.
If you do not have a dairy-free heavy cream alternative or sour cream, canned coconut milk is going to be the next best option. Especially if you are looking for realistic results.
Why You May Want to Avoid Lactose
It is very common for people to avoid lactose as this is a part of dairy that many people have trouble processing. Lactose is quite difficult to digest, and some people may struggle more than others to do this once they have eaten dairy products.
If you are lactose intolerant or have a sensitivity to lactose, you will most likely experience discomfort when you eat dairy. This usually comes in the form of stomach problems, bowel changes, or general discomfort after eating dairy.
This is quite common among people and some may not even realize that they have a sensitivity to lactose. It is not usually severe, but it does create enough discomfort that the majority of people try to avoid lactose if they are sensitive to it.