However, most Malaysians go through their lives not knowing they are lactose intolerant, according to Farrahusna Halim, a dietitian from Diet Ideas.

She pinpointed several factors – limitation of product availability, insufficient knowledge of a healthy diet and lack of awareness of the disorder itself – as to why lactose intolerance often goes undiagnosed.

The dietitian added that lactose intolerance is also not seen as an important health issue because the symptoms are manageable and rarely develop into a serious health issue.

That said, however mild or severe your reactions are after consuming a dairy product, it can still affect your quality of life.

Here are a few reasons why you should consider going lactose-free:

1. There’s no need to cut dairy out completely

Ever wondered why having a scoop of ice cream does not result in you running to the nearest toilet but a glass of milk will?

The reason for this is people with lactose intolerance can either consume dairy in varying amounts or not at all.

“If you’re a big fan of all things dairy and can’t imagine life without it, you can always consult a doctor or dietitian to find out how much you can consume,” Farrahusna said, adding that a drastic omission of dairy products from one’s diet may not even be needed.

2. Lactose-free products aren’t as expensive as you think

Mintel’s senior food and drink analyst Jolene Ng told FMT that there is a growing interest in lactose-free dairy products among Malaysian consumers in tandem with increased awareness of the importance of gut health.

According to her, many local brands have started to offer plant-based dairy as an alternative to animal milk. The availability of such products has grown by 220% compared to last year, which naturally led to the introduction of cheaper options.

The most affordable and popular non-dairy products among Malaysians are soy, oat and almond-based alternatives, all of which can be found at your nearest grocery store.

3. Everyone can go lactose-free

Farrahusna shared that lactose-free products are safe for people of all ages to consume and are not exclusively reserved for those with lactose intolerance.

You do not have to worry about your calcium intake either as other food items such as sardines and dark, leafy greens are also good sources of calcium.

And, unlike sugar, you do not have to watch how little or how much lactose-free products you consume.

4. Your gut health is worth it

The bottom line is your overall health is worth the hassle. Whether or not you are lactose intolerant, switching to plant-based alternatives can benefit you in the long run, so why wait?

Generally, lactose-free products come with no added sugar.

Most brands, however, add a low-calorie sweetener to emulate the sweet taste you get from dairy products. This ultimately reduces your sugar cravings, thus enabling you to control your daily sugar intake.

Still not sold on the idea?

Maybe this fact might convince you: it is common to develop lactose intolerance over time.

Continuously consuming dairy products and ignoring the signals your body is sending you will only worsen your gut health, which can lead to distressing symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting.