With cow's milk intolerance, can I still stand buffalo mozzarella?

Smart selection and targeted testing without bellyaching

Buffalo mozzarella is soft, creamy and loved on pizza and in salads. I love it. On a pizza or with tomato and basil and a little balsamic.
But what if you have cow's milk intolerance? Can you still eat this? The short answer: sometimes you can, sometimes you can't. It depends on what you are sensitive to: lactose or milk proteins.

My experience: in the beginning, I avoided mozzarella altogether. Yet the question remained: can I have buffalo mozzarella? I tested it quietly and purposefully. With me, a normal portion goes fine, about once or twice a week. That's my experience. Below I explain how you can safely figure this out and what to look out for.

What is buffalo mozzarella

Buffalo mozzarella is made from milk of the water buffalo. It is a fresh cheese those short is made and does not mature for a long time. As a result, it retains its soft texture and mild flavor.

Important to know. Mozzarella di Bufala Campana is made exclusively from buffalo milk and is covered by the EU Protected Designation of Origin. Buffalo mozzarella is therefore not cow's milk. While the proteins are similar to those of cow, they are not identical. The lactose is similar to other fresh cheeses. Fresh and short aged means that there are lactose still present is.

More background. Read What are milk proteins and What is lactose.

First this. do you react to lactose or protein

Before you decide, it is helpful to know what triggers your gut.

• At lactose intolerance do you respond to lactose. Fresh cheeses then give complaints faster than old, hard cheeses.
• At cow's milk intolerance do you respond to milk proteins from cow. Buffalo milk has its own proteins. Some people tolerate it better, others do not.
• At cow's milk allergy is the advice from guidelines: avoid milk from other mammals (goat, sheep, buffalo), as cross-reactivity may occur. Test only under the guidance of your practitioner.

Have doubts about the terms: What is the difference between lactose intolerance and cow's milk intolerance and the practical roadmap How to test whether or not you can tolerate cow's milk well.

What this means for buffalo mozzarella

If lactose is your trigger

Buffalo mozzarella is fresh and therefore still contains lactose. Small portions sometimes go well, but it is not a lactose-free option. Many people with lactose intolerance still tolerate a few grams of lactose, especially if spread throughout the day. That explains why a small portion of mozzarella sometimes goes.

If milk protein is your trigger

You are responding to cow's milk proteins. Buffalo milk contains no cow's milk protein, but does milk protein resemble. Some people tolerate buffalo mozzarella just fine, some do not. It's personal. Test focused and listen to your body.

Learn more about the differences: What is the difference between lactose intolerance and cow's milk intolerance

Here's how to test it safely at home

Start with rest. Let go of cow's milk and fresh cheeses for a few days so your tummy is calm. After that, consciously choose pure buffalo mozzarella and check the label. Does it say Mozzarella di Bufala, then you are in the right place. Do you see Fior di latte, then it cow's milk mozzarella and you want to avoid those with cow's milk intolerance. Start with a small piece at an otherwise quiet meal. Write down what you eat, at what time and how you feel until the next day. If it goes well, then you can slowly build up to a portion that suits you. If you get symptoms, then you know buffalo mozzarella probably won't work for you.

1. Provide rest. Eat no cow's milk and no fresh cheeses for a few days so that your tummy is calm.
2. Choose pure buffalo mozzarella. Note the label: look for Mozzarella di Bufala. Avoid Fior di latte (which is mozzarella made from cow's milk).
3. Start small. Take a small piece at a leisurely meal.
4. Note everything. Write in a food diary what you ate, the time of day and any complaints until the next day.
5. Evaluate. Did it go well, build up slowly. Did you get symptoms, then buffalo mozzarella is probably not part of your safe zone.

Detailed explanations can be found in: How to test whether or not you can tolerate cow's milk well

Check label in store

On the cheese shelf, everything looks alike. Yet the packaging says a lot. Mozzarella di Bufala is made from buffalo milk. Fior di latte is made from cow's milk. Some balls are even a mix from cow and buffalo. This is then often listed small in the ingredients. Take a moment to read. This will help you along the way with practical examples and terms to watch out for: Check the ingredient list.

Common misunderstandings

The idea that buffalo is always safe is not true. The protein seems to be enough to cause symptoms in some people anyway. The story that mozzarella is lactose-free also does not hold true. Fresh and short ripened means that there is lactose still present is. And burrata. That's mozzarella with room on the inside. Delicious, but often heavier in lactose and the cream is usually from cow's milk, so with cow's milk proteins.

Smart alternatives

If buffalo mozzarella doesn't please you, there's plenty left. Aged hard cheeses often contain hardly any lactose and therefore sometimes suit lactose intolerance. For inspiration and nuance by cheese, please visit here: Which cheeses contain high or low levels of lactose.

Respond to milk proteins, please check out vegetable mozzarella cashew, coconut or starch-based. Or just choose tomato and basil with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Simple, fresh and tummy-friendly.

Short answer for quick decision makers

If you are primarily lactose intolerant, then buffalo mozzarella is not ideal due to the lactose present, although a small portion can sometimes work. If you are especially sensitive to milk protein, then buffalo mozzarella can sometimes fit, but test calmly and purposefully.

• Did you especially lactose intolerance. buffalo mozzarella is not ideal by the lactose.
• Did you especially sensitivity to cow's milk proteins. buffalo mozzarella can sometimes well, but test targeted and quiet.

Continue reading at NooMooo

• Basics. What is cow's milk intolerance
• Sugar versus protein. What is the difference between lactose intolerance and cow's milk intolerance
• Mechanism in your gut. What does lactase do
• Labels and E numbers. Check the ingredient list
• Choosing cheese. Which cheeses contain high or low levels of lactose

Note. this blog is informational. I am not a doctor and do not give medical advice. If in doubt, contact your doctor or dietitian.

Frequently asked questions Buffalo mozzarella

Does buffalo mozzarella contain lactose and is it suitable for lactose intolerance

Yes, buffalo mozzarella is a fresh cheese and therefore still contains lactose. Small portions sometimes go well, but it's not a lactose-free option. Many people with lactose intolerance tolerate only limited amounts, especially if the portion remains small.

Can I eat buffalo mozzarella with cow's milk intolerance

Buffalo milk contains no cow's milk proteins, but proteins similar to them. Some of the people with cow's milk intolerance tolerates buffalo mozzarella just fine, others do not. At cow's milk allergy the advice to avoid milk from other mammals such as buffalo applies because of cross reactions.

How to safely test if I tolerate buffalo mozzarella

• First, get some rest: eat no cow's milk and no fresh cheeses.
• Select pure buffalo mozzarella And check the label: look for Mozzarella di Bufala; avoid Fior di latte and mix products.
• Start small at a quiet meal and note time portion and any symptoms until the next day.
• Did it go well, build up slowly. Did you get symptoms, then buffalo mozzarella probably doesn't fit your safe zone.