Dairy-Free Foods a Wise Choice for African-Americans
Prevalence of Lactose Intolerance Among African-Americans Makes Non-Dairy Alternatives a Viable Option.
Eugene, OR – Did you know that three out of four African-Americans suffer from lactose intolerance? The condition annoys individuals because it deprives them of their favorite foods, from dairy milk to pizza to Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Access to non-dairy alternatives helps those affected by lactose intolerance achieve a happier lifestyle.
Life dealt Lindsey Simmonds, a young African-American woman living outside Atlanta, a devastating blow when she found out she had developed lactose intolerance, which forced her to cut off her dairy consumption completely, including ice cream.
Ms. Simmonds jumped for joy when she discovered Turtle Mountain, maker of Purely Decadent® and So Delicious® dairy free ice creams. "I am so happy!" says Lindsey. "This is the first time in a long time that I have enjoyed ice cream without any cramping or gas. I'm a customer for life!"
Lactose intolerance is the body's inability to breakdown lactose, the predominant sugar in milk. Common symptoms include nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. The severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of lactose each individual can tolerate.
Approximately 40 to 60 million Americans suffer from lactose intolerance. There is no cure for lactose intolerance, but symptoms can be controlled through diet and choosing dairy alternatives such as Purely Decadent® and So Delicious®.
Certain ethnic and racial populations are more widely affected than others. Lactose intolerance affects approximately 60% of Latinos, 75% of African Americans and 90% of Asian Americans. The condition is least common among persons of northern European descent.
For a person suffering from lactose intolerance it is important to consume other foods rich in calcium, such as broccoli, kale, salmon and sardines.
Turtle Mountain has manufactured dairy-free ice cream for over 20 years and recently added lines of refrigerated items, including yogurt and a coconut milk beverage designed to replace soy milk. These products are carried by Whole Foods Markets, independent natural food stores and select grocery chains nationwide.
"Over the past few years the quality of non-dairy products has improved dramatically," says John Tucker, Vice president of Marketing at Turtle Mountain. "No one should have to go through life without ice cream just because they are lactose intolerant."
For additional information on Turtle Mountain's lactose-free product offerings, contact Chris Turek. Photos, product information, and samples are available upon request.
About Turtle Mountain, LLC
Based in Eugene, Oregon since 1988, privately held Turtle Mountain provides consumers with healthier alternatives to dairy-based frozen desserts and refrigerated items. All products are 100% plant based and contain no artificial sweeteners, trans-fats or hydrogenated oils, and most are made with certified organic ingredients. Turtle Mountain sells its products under the brands So Delicious Dairy Free® and Purely Decadent®. For full product offerings and complete nutritional information, please visit: http://www.SoDeliciousDairyFree.com.
