Lactaid Reaches Out to Minority Women

Lactose tolerance is a mutation that is shared mostly by people of European descent. In multicultural America, that means that minority populations - blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Indians, and others - have a much higher percentage of lactose intolerance.

Lactaid, the makers of lactose-free milks and other dairy products, has an annual promotion aimed at these populations. In 2007, they used Hispanic actress Angelica Vale. In 2008 they turned to African-American celebrity chef and restaurateur Delilah Winder.

This year they've teamed Hispanic registered dietitian and certified personal trainer Sylvia Klinger with Winder, reaching out to both target audiences. From the press release:

A new Lactose Intolerance in Multicultural Communities Survey found that 78 percent of African American women reduce the amount of milk or dairy in their diet as a way to manage their lactose intolerance. Yet, 48 percent of African American women who have lactose intolerance worry the condition keeps them from consuming important nutrients, such as calcium and vitamins A and D. Despite their concerns, only 16 percent have talked to a health care professional about lactose intolerance.

The study found that half of African American women are unsure about what foods are safe to eat without triggering symptoms and 11 percent remove dairy from their diet completely as a way to control their lactose intolerance. This is concerning as dairy foods and beverages contain key essential nutrients that are important for a healthy lifestyle.

To help educate women about lactose intolerance, the LACTAID(R) Brand has partnered with Delilah Winder, celebrity chef, author and restaurant owner, and nutritionist Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, to share recipes and tips for eating healthy and enjoying dairy again. In fact, lactose intolerance is easy to manage, without forgoing milk and the dairy products.

MORE ABOUT DELILAH WINDER
Delilah Winder is a celebrity chef, restaurant owner and cookbook author who has a passion for food and entertaining. In 2000, she opened Bluezette in old city Philadelphia - an elegant restaurant that uniquely reflects her Southern heritage. In the fall of 2006, Chef Winder continued to develop her professional career by publishing her favorite southern recipes in Delilah's Everyday Soul: Southern Cooking With Style cookbook. Containing a foreword by author and personal chef of Oprah Winfrey, Art Smith, the book includes many of the recipes that have made Delilah a favorite chef of celebrities such as Patti LaBelle, Denzel Washington, Danny Glover, and Tavis Smiley. Included among the more than 100 recipes in the book is the recipe for her nationally acclaimed macaroni and cheese, as voted the best macaroni and cheese recipe by the Oprah Winfrey Show.

MORE ABOUT SYLVIA KLINGER
Sylvia Klinger, registered dietitian and certified personal trainer, is founder of Hispanic Food Communications, Hinsdale, IL a food communications and culinary consulting company. Mrs. Klinger has appeared on NBC, ABC, Fox News, CNN Spanish, Univision, Telemundo, America Teve, TV Azteca, Telefutura. Many guest appearances in popular shows such as Despierta America and Hispanics Today, where she is a regular guest, and numerous Hispanic cable stations to name a few. She has been a guest nutritionist on numerous local Hispanic radio talk shows and numerous popular publications such as Latina Magazine, Siempre Mujer, Vanidades, Latino Social and Hispanic Business South Florida to name a few.