Is there lactose in ice cream?
High — take care.
Regular ice cream is high in lactose — it's made from milk and cream and often has added milk solids too. It's one of the more common triggers, but there are plenty of good lactose-free and dairy-free options now.
This is the one that catches a lot of people out. Ice cream combines milk, cream and frequently extra milk solids, which makes it one of the higher-lactose treats — and because we tend to eat a decent scoop, the lactose adds up fast.
If dairy ice cream reliably leaves you regretting it, you’re not imagining it. A serve can deliver a meaningful lactose hit in one sitting, which is exactly the kind of single large dose that causes symptoms.
:::note Mate to mate: the good news is this is a solved problem in Australia now — lactose-free ice creams and naturally dairy-free sorbets are on most supermarket shelves, and plenty are genuinely delicious. :::
How much lactose is in ice cream?
A standard serve of regular ice cream contains a significant amount of lactose — enough to trouble many people with intolerance. Richer, creamier styles and those with added milk solids sit at the higher end.
When you can still enjoy it
Three routes: choose a lactose-free ice cream, pick a naturally dairy-free sorbet or a coconut/oat-based version, or take a lactase tablet with your first spoonful if you want the real thing. See what helps for the tablets we tested.
If ice cream isn't handy, reach for…
Common questions
Can I eat ice cream if I'm lactose intolerant?
Is sorbet lactose-free?
Do lactase tablets work for ice cream?
Want the full picture? Grab our free Living Lactose-Free in Australia cheat sheet — it sorts 60+ foods like this one so you never have to guess at the supermarket again.