Are Milkshakes High in Lactose? A Guide for the Intolerant

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 12 grams of lactose—the amount in about one cup of milk—can be tolerated by many with lactose intolerance. Unfortunately, many milkshakes exceed this amount, containing a concentrated combination of milk and high-lactose ice cream, which can spell trouble for those with the condition.

Quick Summary

Milkshakes are rich in lactose, as they are made from milk and ice cream, both high in the milk sugar lactose. For individuals with lactose intolerance, consuming a milkshake can cause significant digestive discomfort. Understanding the lactose content of the ingredients helps explain why milkshakes are often a dietary concern.

Key Points

High Lactose Concentration: Milkshakes are high in lactose because they combine multiple high-lactose ingredients, namely milk and ice cream.
Symptoms of Intolerance: For those with a lactase deficiency, the high lactose load can cause digestive discomfort, including gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
Less Tolerable than Other Dairy: Unlike hard cheeses or yogurt, the lactose in milkshake ingredients is not broken down by fermentation, making it harder for intolerant individuals to digest.
Dairy-Free Alternatives: There are many delicious, lactose-free milkshake options, including recipes using plant-based milks (almond, oat, soy) and dairy-free ice creams.
Enzyme Supplements: Taking a lactase enzyme supplement can help manage symptoms when consuming a traditional, dairy-based milkshake.

Understanding Lactose in Milkshake Ingredients

Milkshakes are typically a blend of milk, ice cream, and flavorings, with milk and ice cream being the primary culprits for high lactose content. A single serving of ice cream can contain a significant amount of lactose, often more per ounce than milk. When blended, these ingredients combine to create a beverage with a potent dose of the milk sugar.

Milk and Ice Cream: A Lactose Double-Dose

While a standard eight-ounce glass of milk has around 12 to 13 grams of lactose, the ice cream base used in many milkshakes adds even more to the mix. An average scoop of ice cream can contain 2 to 6 grams of lactose, and many milkshakes use multiple scoops. The total lactose load of a large milkshake can therefore easily surpass the amount most lactose-intolerant individuals can tolerate without experiencing symptoms. This concentrated serving is much harder to digest than a small amount of cheese, which has undergone fermentation to reduce its lactose content.

How Milkshake Processing Affects Lactose

Unlike yogurt or aged cheeses where fermentation by bacteria breaks down some of the lactose, the manufacturing of milk and ice cream does not involve this process to a significant degree. This means the lactose remains largely intact. Additionally, some milkshakes include other high-lactose ingredients like whipped cream or milk solids in their syrups, further increasing the total load. This lack of processing and addition of other dairy ingredients makes milkshakes a particularly high-risk food for those with lactose sensitivity.

The Digestive Consequences for the Lactose-Intolerant

For individuals with a lactase enzyme deficiency, the undigested lactose in a milkshake travels to the colon. Here, bacteria ferment the milk sugar, producing gas and causing a range of unpleasant symptoms. This can include bloating, cramping, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, typically within 30 minutes to two hours after consumption. The severity of the symptoms depends on the individual's level of lactase deficiency and the total amount of lactose consumed. The rapid consumption of a cold, liquid item like a milkshake can also speed up the onset of symptoms for some.

Symptom Management for Accidental Consumption

If you accidentally consume a milkshake and are lactose intolerant, there are a few strategies to manage symptoms. Taking a lactase enzyme supplement immediately before or with a dairy-containing meal can help the body break down lactose. Consuming a lactose-containing product alongside other foods can also slow down digestion, potentially lessening the severity of symptoms.

Comparison Table: Lactose in Milkshakes vs. Other Dairy


Product	Serving Size	Approximate Lactose Content (grams)	Notes
Milkshake	Standard cup	15+ grams	Concentrated dairy from milk and ice cream.
Milk	1 cup (8 oz)	12-13 grams	Source of base for traditional milkshakes.
Ice Cream	1/2 cup (scoop)	2-6 grams	Often multiple scoops used, increasing total lactose.
Yogurt (Natural)	1 cup	~10 grams*	Lactose is reduced by bacterial fermentation, but content varies.
Hard Cheese (e.g., Cheddar)	1 oz	<1 gram	Fermentation process breaks down most lactose.
Lactose-Free Milk	1 cup (8 oz)	0 grams	Lactase enzyme added during processing.

Alternative Milkshake Options for the Sensitive

Fortunately, for those who cannot tolerate lactose, many delicious alternatives exist that provide the creamy, satisfying experience of a milkshake without the digestive distress. These options rely on dairy-free bases and are widely available in stores and restaurants. Recipes for homemade versions are also simple to follow.

Dairy-Free Milk Bases

Plant-based milks: Almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, and coconut milk can all be used as the liquid base for a milkshake. Each offers a unique flavor profile. Oat milk, for example, often provides a rich, creamy texture similar to dairy milk. Soy milk is a good source of protein.
Lactose-free dairy milk: Some brands offer cow's milk with the lactase enzyme added during processing. This milk provides the taste and texture of regular dairy milk without the lactose.

Dairy-Free Ice Cream Alternatives

Vegan ice creams: Many brands now offer delicious ice creams made from coconut milk, almond milk, or other plant-based ingredients. These are available in a wide variety of flavors.
Sorbet: While not a true ice cream, a fruit sorbet offers a refreshing and naturally lactose-free base for a shake.

Enzyme Supplements

For those who still want to occasionally indulge in a traditional milkshake, a lactase enzyme supplement can be an effective solution. These supplements, available in tablets or drops, help the body digest the lactose. It is best to take them just before consuming a dairy product for maximum effectiveness.

Conclusion: Navigating Milkshakes with Lactose Intolerance

In conclusion, due to their ingredients of milk and ice cream, traditional milkshakes are indeed high in lactose and likely to cause digestive issues for those with lactose intolerance. A single serving can contain more lactose than the amount many intolerant individuals can comfortably handle, leading to symptoms like bloating, gas, and stomach pain. However, the landscape for lactose-free alternatives has expanded dramatically, offering a variety of plant-based milks and dairy-free ice creams to create satisfying and creamy milkshakes. For those who choose to enjoy a dairy-based version, enzyme supplements can provide a means to reduce symptoms. Ultimately, understanding the lactose content and exploring the available alternatives allows everyone to enjoy a delicious, frozen treat without the side effects.

For further reading on navigating lactose intolerance, the National Institutes of Health provides comprehensive guidance on managing symptoms and finding suitable dietary options. [https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance/eating-diet-nutrition]

Frequently Asked Questions

A milkshake is high in lactose because it typically contains both milk and multiple scoops of ice cream, compounding the total lactose content. An average milkshake's total lactose load is significantly higher than that of just a single cup of milk.

People with mild lactose intolerance may tolerate small amounts of dairy, but a standard milkshake often exceeds this threshold. The large, concentrated dose of lactose from milk and ice cream makes it a common trigger for symptoms, even for those with mild sensitivity.

Lactose intolerance symptoms typically appear within 30 minutes to two hours after consuming a food or drink high in lactose, such as a milkshake. The exact timing and severity depend on the individual's sensitivity and the quantity consumed.

Most traditional milkshakes are made with ice cream, but not all. There are many recipes and commercial products that use dairy-free alternatives like plant-based milk and vegan ice cream to create a creamy, lactose-free beverage.

A lactose-free milkshake is made with cow's milk that has the lactase enzyme added to break down the lactose, while a dairy-free milkshake contains no animal products at all, using ingredients like almond, soy, or coconut milk instead.

When a lactose-intolerant person drinks a milkshake, the undigested lactose moves to the large intestine. There, bacteria ferment the sugar, leading to gas production and causing symptoms like cramping, bloating, and diarrhea.

Yes, a lactase enzyme supplement can help manage the symptoms of consuming a milkshake for those with lactose intolerance. Taking the supplement just before or during consumption provides the enzyme needed to break down the lactose.