If you prefer skimmed milk
Whether you’re having it with coffee, cereal or a drink at lunchtime, your main priority is keeping fat content down. Compare the figures per 100 ml: the skimmed products reviewed don’t all contain the same amount.
Who is this guide for?
If you prefer semi-skimmed milk
You’d rather have semi-skimmed lactose-free milk than skimmed for everyday use. The Lactel and Carrefour products reviewed contain between 1 and 1.2 g of fat per 100 ml.
If pack size matters to you
If you only pour a small amount of milk at lunchtime, the size of the container and how long it keeps after opening matter just as much as the type of milk.
What should you look for first?
When choosing lactose-free milk for lunch while working from home, compare the fat content per 100 ml first, then choose a pack size that suits how quickly you’ll use it.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Skimmed | Compare the fat and energy content per 100 ml. Candia+ states that its skimmed lactose-free milk contains 0 g of fat per 100 ml; Lactel’s Matin Léger Bio skimmed milk contains 0.2 g. | If my main aim is to keep the fat in my lunchtime milk to a minimum, I’ll look at skimmed options first. Around 40% of consumers are said to prioritise this. |
| Semi-skimmed | Check the fat content per 100 ml: the lactose-free Lactel and Carrefour products reviewed contain between 1 and 1.2 g. | For my coffees or cereal during the week, I prefer semi-skimmed milk and don’t need it to be skimmed. This is said to be the priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Pack size and storage | Check the volume of each container and the refrigeration and use-by instructions after opening for the specific product you choose. | If I only use a little milk at lunchtime, I want to be able to finish the bottle within the recommended time. Around 20% of consumers are said to prioritise pack size and storage above all else. |
What should you watch out for?
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Assuming ‘lactose-free’ means ‘dairy-free’
The Candia+, Lactel and Carrefour lactose-free milks reviewed still contain milk. Removing or reducing lactose does not remove milk proteins.
If you have a milk allergy, don’t rely on the words ‘lactose-free’ alone: check the ingredients and allergen information.
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Choosing based on the word ‘light’ alone
The products reviewed have different fat contents, ranging from 0 to 1.2 g per 100 ml, depending on the product.
Compare the ‘fat’ figure on the same 100 ml basis, then check whether the product is skimmed or semi-skimmed.
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Buying a large pack without planning how you’ll use it
A multipack may be convenient to store, but each opened bottle must be used according to its own instructions. The Lactel and Candia+ products reviewed give different guidance on how long they keep after opening.
If you use only a little milk at lunchtime, compare the volume of each bottle with the time stated on its packaging.
An opened bottle that’s too large for your needs could lead to waste.
Brands and products to compare
Lactel
The Matin Léger range includes skimmed lactose-free milks, as well as an option containing 1.2 g of fat per 100 ml.
- The Matin Léger 1.2% option and the skimmed Bio version let you compare two fat levels within the range.
- Check the instructions for use after opening on the bottle you choose; they may not apply to the whole range.
Candia
Candia+ offers a skimmed lactose-free milk whose product information states that it contains 0 g of fat per 100 ml.
- The per-100 ml figure gives you a precise point of comparison with the semi-skimmed products reviewed.
- This product contains skimmed milk and lactase: ‘lactose-free’ does not mean ‘free from milk proteins’.
Carrefour
The Carrefour Classic’ and Carrefour Bio lactose-free products reviewed are semi-skimmed, containing 1.2 and 1 g of fat per 100 ml respectively.
- The product information lets you tell the Classic’ option with vitamin D apart from the Bio option.
- Organic status alone doesn’t tell you how much fat a product contains: check the nutritional information for the specific product.
Delisse
The Delisse product reviewed is a UHT lactose-free milk containing 1.2 g of fat per 100 ml, supplied in a pack of 6 × 50 cl bottles.
- The 50 cl bottles are worth considering if you only use a little milk at lunchtime.
- Check availability with the store concerned before planning your purchase.
Lactose-free milk available on Joybuy
This skimmed option may suit you if you’re looking for lactose-free milk and want to keep fat content down. Consider whether the pack of 6 × 1 L matches how much milk you’ll use at lunchtime.
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Lactel MATIN LÉGER lactose-free skimmed milk, 6 × 1 L
Worth considering if you’re looking for skimmed lactose-free milk for lunch and can use a pack of 6 × 1 L bottles.
Once opened, refrigerate the bottle and follow the use-by guidance on its label. Also check the stated lactose content if the exact figure matters to you.
Frequently asked questions
How do you compare the fat content of two lactose-free milks?
Compare their nutritional values per 100 ml, then check whether each product is skimmed or semi-skimmed. The Candia+ and Lactel Matin Léger Bio skimmed products reviewed contain 0 and 0.2 g of fat per 100 ml respectively, while the Lactel and Carrefour semi-skimmed options reviewed contain between 1 and 1.2 g.
How long does lactose-free milk keep after opening?
Follow the time and temperature instructions on the bottle you choose. Some of the Lactel Matin Léger products reviewed say to keep refrigerated and use within 3 days of opening, while the Candia+ skimmed option reviewed gives 4 days. These instructions don’t automatically apply to other products.
Does lactose-free milk also contain no milk proteins?
No: the lactose-free products reviewed are still milk and contain milk proteins. If you need to avoid milk because of an allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information for each product rather than relying on the words ‘lactose-free’.