Gail Gilman, Family Life Consultant, M.Ed., C.F.C.S. and Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota
What dairy foods should I eat or drink if I am lactose intolerant?
Lactose intolerance does not have to mean dairy food avoidance. In fact, research shows that many individuals who are lactose intolerant can enjoy the recommended three servings of dairy foods daily.
Lactose intolerance is not an allergy, but an intolerance to the naturally occurring sugar lactose in milk. Most people who have it can enjoy dairy foods by drinking lactose-free milk, small amounts of regular milk, or including natural cheeses and yogurt in their diet. Lactose-free milk is real milk, just without the lactose. Yogurt, with live and active cultures, contains friendly bacteria and enzymes which help digest lactose. Aged cheeses are naturally low in lactose.
Why is milk pasteurized and what is pasteurization?
French doctor and scientist Louis Pasteur invented the process of pasteurization more than a century ago. Pasteurization is the process of heating milk to at least 161° Fahrenheit for 15 seconds to remove milk-borne pathogens. This simple process destroys harmful bacteria while maintaining milk’s quality, taste, and nutritional value. Since its discovery, pasteurization has safeguarded much of our food supply, including milk and dairy products. By heating raw milk in specially designed equipment, pasteurization ensures the safety and wholesomeness of milk.
Cow’s milk, a quality protein source, is made up of primarily whey and casein proteins. Whey protein is a high-quality protein. Compared to many other proteins, on a gram-to-gram basis, whey protein delivers more essential amino acids to the body and is absorbed quickly and efficiently.
According to the United Nations Food Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization, probiotics are “live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” Traditionally, these “friendly bacteria” were found in fermented foods such as yogurt and cultured milk but can now be found as an added ingredient in milk and cheese as well. Some strains of probiotics have been associated with digestive health, while others may benefit the immune system. The science on probiotics is new and evolving, so no definitive conclusions about their benefits can be determined yet.
How do I store dairy foods?
Milk
- Refrigerate milk at 40°F or less as soon as possible after purchase and store in the original container.
- Return milk to the refrigerator immediately after pouring.
- Store milk in the coldest part of the refrigerator, which tends to be toward the back.
- Never return unused milk to the original container.
- Protect milk from exposure to strong light since light can reduce its riboflavin content and cause off-flavors.
Cheese
- Keep cheese at a temperature at or below 40° F.
- Wrap hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Gouda, Edam, and Swiss, in an inner layer of wax or parchment paper and an outer layer of plastic wrap to help maintain freshness.
- Generally, harder (low-moisture) cheeses keep longer in the refrigerator than softer (higher-moisture) cheeses.
Yogurt
- Yogurt should be stored in closed containers in the refrigerator at 40° F to maintain its quality.
- Store yogurt for one to two weeks after buying it. Prolonged refrigeration of yogurt should be avoided as yogurt bacteria tend to decrease in viability and numbers over time.
Butter
- To preserve butter’s flavor and freshness, refrigerate opened butter in a covered dish in the butter compartment.
- Unopened, wrapped butter may be stored in the refrigerator for up to two months.
Cream
- Keep it refrigerated in its closed container at 40° F or lower. Heavy cream should be used within 10 days, while half and half should be consumed within 4 days.
- Ultra-pasteurized cream keeps up to 1 month, but once opened, it should be used within 1 week.
What does the “Sell By” date mean?
Every carton of milk sold in the United States is clearly labeled with a “sell by,” “pull,” “use by” or “best if used by” date. Each of these dates means something different. The “sell by” and “pull” dates refer to how long a grocery store can keep the product in the dairy case. The product must be sold by the date labeled on the package. This date considers time for the food to be used at home, so you should buy the product before the “sell by” or “pull” date, but you do not have to use it by then.
Yes and no, each dairy product is a bit different:
Milk
Milk can be frozen, but it is not preferred. Freezing changes the texture and appearance of milk. Freezing milk does not harm the milk but disturbs the quality in taste and consistency.
Cheese
Cheese can be frozen, but it may become mealy and crumbly when thawed. Thawed cheese is best used crumbled or shredded in salads, as toppings or in cooked dishes. Some cheeses are better frozen than others. Because blue cheese varieties like Roquefort and Gorgonzola are generally used crumbled, further change in their texture is of little consequence. Because other cheeses like Parmesan and Romano can be stored in the refrigerator for prolonged periods, freezing is unnecessary.
When freezing cheese, freeze quickly and store at 0º F or lower. Thaw in the refrigerator and use as soon as possible after thawing.
If you would like more information on “June Dairy Month Questions” feel free to contact Gail Gilman, Family Life Consultant, M.Ed., C.F.C.S. and Professor Emeritus – University of Minnesota at waldn001@umn.edu. Be sure to watch for more Family Living Focus™ information in next week’s paper.