{"id":462170,"date":"2026-06-05T09:43:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T09:43:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/462170\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T09:43:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T09:43:09","slug":"emilia-clarke-39-reveals-she-developed-lactose-intolerance-as-an-adult-5-symptoms-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/462170\/","title":{"rendered":"Emilia Clarke, 39, reveals she developed lactose intolerance as an adult \u2013 5 symptoms you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Appearing on the latest episode of Dish podcast, Emilia Clarke<\/a> revealed that despite growing up \u2018loving everything dairy\u2019, she now believes she may be lactose intolerant<\/a> after experiencing a painful reaction to ice cream<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2018I was a little kid, I just loved everything dairy,\u2019 the Game of Thrones star told hosts Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett. \u2018And then one day my body was like, \u201cNope. You shouldn’t have that anymore.\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n

Clarke said that she decided to eat a bowl of ice cream around three years ago after avoiding dairy for a while.<\/p>\n

\u2018I went, \u201cI’m having a bowl of ice cream \u2013 and it’s not vegan, I don’t care.\u201d And literally was in pain for like a week. I was like, \u201cThat is a hardcore game over for dairy.\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n

She now suspects lactose intolerance may be to blame.<\/p>\n

While Clarke’s experience may sound alarming, registered dietitian and author of How Not to Eat Ultra-Processed<\/a>, Nichola Ludlam-Raine<\/a>, says it isn’t uncommon.<\/p>\n

\u2018Lactose intolerance can develop at any age and often becomes more common as people get older,\u2019 she explains. \u2018This is because lactase production naturally declines after childhood in many populations.\u2019<\/p>\n

But what actually is lactose intolerance, and what do you need to know?<\/p>\n

What is lactose intolerance?<\/p>\n

\u2018Lactose intolerance occurs when the body does not produce enough lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose, the natural sugar found in milk and dairy products,\u2019 explains Ludlam-Raine.<\/p>\n

Can you become lactose intolerant as an adult?<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, yes.<\/p>\n

As mentioned above, lactose intolerance can develop at any age because the body naturally produces less lactase over time.<\/p>\n

\u2018It can also occur following certain gastrointestinal infections, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease or other conditions that affect the lining of the gut, although in many cases it develops gradually without an obvious trigger,\u2019 says Ludlam-Raine.<\/p>\n

What are the most common symptoms?<\/p>\n

Common symptoms, she says, include: <\/p>\n

BloatingAbdominal pain or crampingExcessive windDiarrhoeaNausea and stomach rumbling<\/p>\n

\u2018All usually develop within a few hours of consuming lactose-containing foods. The severity of symptoms varies depending on how much lactose is consumed and an individual\u2019s level of lactase production.\u2019<\/p>\n

Lactose intolerance vs dairy allergy: what’s the difference?<\/p>\n

While lactose intolerance and a dairy allergy are often confused, they’re actually two very different conditions.<\/p>\n

According to Ludlam-Raine, lactose intolerance is a digestive issue caused by difficulty breaking down lactose and typically leads to symptoms such as bloating, wind and diarrhoea.<\/p>\n

A cow\u2019s milk allergy, meanwhile, is an immune system reaction to milk proteins.<\/p>\n

\u2018It can cause symptoms such as hives, swelling, wheezing, vomiting or, in severe cases, anaphylaxis,\u2019 she says.<\/p>\n

Of course, digestive symptoms aren’t always caused by dairy. Stress, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), infections and other food intolerances can all trigger similar issues.<\/p>\n

\u2018Symptoms that occur inconsistently or are not clearly linked to dairy may warrant further investigation,\u2019 adds Ludlam-Raine.<\/p>\n

\"VarietyIrina Marwan<\/p>\n

Emilia Clarke says she was \u2018in pain for a week\u2019 after eating a bowl of ice cream<\/p>\n

Do you need to stop eating dairy altogether?<\/p>\n

Not necessarily.<\/p>\n

\u2018Most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate small amounts of lactose without symptoms, particularly when consumed as part of a meal,\u2019 says Ludlam-Raine.<\/p>\n

\u2018Many find they can comfortably eat foods such as hard cheeses and live yoghurt or kefir, which tend to contain less lactose than milk or ice cream. Lactose-free dairy products are also widely available and provide the same nutritional benefits as standard dairy products.\u2019<\/p>\n

Can lactose intolerance be temporary?<\/p>\n

In some cases, yes.<\/p>\n

\u2018In my clinical practice, I often see temporary lactose intolerance following a stomach bug. After around four to six weeks of reducing or avoiding lactose, I usually recommend a gradual reintroduction,\u2019 says Ludlam-Raine.<\/p>\n

\u2018As the gut lining heals and lactase production recovers, many people find they can tolerate lactose-containing foods again.\u2019<\/p>\n

What are the best ways to manage symptoms while still meeting calcium and protein needs?<\/p>\n

If you suspect you might be lactose intolerant, there\u2019s no need to immediately cut out all dairy.<\/p>\n

\u2018The key is to identify your personal tolerance level rather than automatically cutting out all dairy,\u2019 says Ludlam-Raine.<\/p>\n

According to her, lactose-free milk, yoghurt and cheese provide high-quality protein as well as calcium, iodine and other important nutrients.<\/p>\n

Plant-based alternatives such as soya can also contribute, although it\u2019s important to choose versions fortified with calcium and, ideally, iodine.<\/p>\n

Other useful sources of calcium include tofu made with calcium, tinned fish with edible bones, nuts, seeds and some green vegetables, while protein can come from foods such as beans, lentils, eggs, fish, meat and soya products.<\/p>\n

When should someone seek medical advice rather than self-diagnosing?<\/p>\n

Anyone experiencing persistent digestive symptoms, unexplained weight loss, blood in their stools, severe abdominal pain or symptoms that continue despite dietary changes should seek medical advice, advises Ludlam-Raine.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s also important not to self-diagnose too quickly, as conditions such as IBS, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease and cow\u2019s milk allergy can sometimes be mistaken for lactose intolerance.<\/p>\n

\u2018A healthcare professional can help determine the underlying cause and ensure nutritional needs are still being met.\u2019
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