Raised With Care Sustainably Raised Or Humanely Raised
This category would also include terms like: Pasture-Raised, Raised with Environmental Stewardship, Pasture Fed, Pasture Grown, Meadow Raised, and Naturally Raised.
These terms could definitely provide some improved welfare conditions for dairy cows. But definitions vary for each term. So unless you check with the USDA for the specific term youve found, its hard to know what it means.
Cheddar Cheese Low Lactose
This delicious English cheese is made from cows milk. It is clearly the worlds most popular cheese. The color ranges from white to pale yellow unless color is added. The sharper and older the cheddar, the less lactose it will have. Below are the different kinds of cheddar.
- Mild Cheddar Has a more docile and mellow flavor. Aged for about 2 3 months. It has a smooth texture, and a higher moisture content. It tends to melt better than its sharper siblings.
- Medium Typically aged for about 3 months, it is creamy and flavorful, but without the bite. Mild and medium cheeses may still contain some lactose, around 0 2.1 %.
- Sharp Cheddar Is a naturally lactose free cheese. Aged for more than 9 months so any remaining lactose will break down. As Cheddar ages over a period of 9 24 months, it becomes dyer, firmer, and crumbles well. It develops a balanced, full-bodied flavor, with a hint of sharp tang, while still maintaining its creaminess. Whole Foods offers a great sharp cheddar brand. However any brand will work from store brand to Kraft lactose free cheese, its worth buying. Its my favorite and go cheddar cheese.
- Premium Extra Sharp Aged for between two to five years this cheese is still creamy, but has a definite sharp bite to it. The higher the age, the bolder, more mature, and flavorful the taste. This is the cheese with least lactose. It makes a great companion to wine and beer.
The Ultimate Guide To The Healthiest Vegan Cheeses
Savory and bursting with umami flavor, vegan cheese is undeniably delicious but is it healthy?
Seen as one of the ultimate luxuries, cheese is a delicacy that people love to indulge in. Sprinkled on salads or melted on macaroni, the versatile foodstuff is so revered some people will journey abroad just to cram their suitcases with brie. During the Great Fire of London in 1666, renowned diarist Samuel Pepys famously protected his valuables by burying them in his garden. His most prized possession? A wheel of parmesan.
Traditional dairy cheese is made through a fermentation process, involving animal milk, rennet a digestive enzyme derived from calfs stomach, vegetables, or synthetic origins and starter organisms. As Agatha M. Thrash M.D explains in her paper on the Uchee Pines website: Cheese is made by the action of waste products from molds and bacteria on milk.
Cheese is probably the most commonly-cited obstacle to people eating more plant-based food. But these days, there are vegan versions of just about any cheese, from creamy mozzarella to chewy halloumi. With dairy-free brands such as Follow Your Heart, Kite Hill, and Daiya crafting shreds, slices, and wheels from ingredients like coconut oil and nuts, it has never been a better time for vegan cheese.
But while the availability of animal-free cheese is better than ever before, the question remains: is vegan cheese healthy?
Recommended Reading: Babybel Cheese Backpacking
Make Better Cheese Choices
With lactose intolerance, you can still eat cheese, but choose carefully. Hard, aged cheeses like Swiss, parmesan, and cheddars are lower in lactose. Other low-lactose cheese options include cottage cheese or feta cheese made from goat or sheep’s milk. Certain types of cheeses — especially soft or creamy ones like ricottta and cream cheese — are higher in lactose. If you want to avoid dairy completely, try lactose-free and dairy-free cheeses.
My Story: How I Transitioned From Dairy
I wasnt born a vegan. Oh, no. I was very much brought up in a traditional American household with lots and lots of meat, milk, and cheese. Meat, I could do without, to be honest, which made it easy for me to go vegetarian when I was just 8 years old. But milk? And cheese? They were my jam.
So when I picked up a copy of Animal Liberation at a used bookstore in college and learned that the dairy industry was even more horrifying as the meat industry, I was feeling overwhelmed, to say the least. I knew I wanted to stop eating dairy and fairly quickly transitioned to soy and almond milk. But cheese?
How will I live without cheese?
At the time I dumped it on everythingpasta with loads of parmesan, pizza loaded with mozz. There was cheese in my go-to burritos, sandwiches, quesadillas, you name it. Whatever I was eating, it was hardly a complete meal without cheese. This was going to be hard.
And let me tell you, at the time , there werent a zillion vegan cheese options like there are today. In fact, there werent any in my college town of Cleveland, Ohio. So I went without.
Painful? Surprisingly, not really! I thought it was going to be a huge challenge, a sacrifice I was making for the animals. But truth be told, I quickly acclimated to equally delicious alternatives.
Today, you dont have to give up cheese at all!
Hopefully our Q& A below can answer all of your questions. If you have another question about vegan cheeses, feel free to reach out and wed be glad to help!
Don’t Miss: Flat Lay Backdrop Boards
The Dairy Industry Exploits Animals
The dairy industry exploits cows and their calves, subjecting them to cruelty and unacceptable conditions. PETA describes how mother cows call for their calves for days after farmers tear them away from them after their birth.
Dairy cows are artificially inseminated and forced to produce more milk using drugs and machines. As a result, PETA says that 16.5 percent of cows suffer mastitis, which is the leading cause of death.
A cows natural lifespan is about 20 years, but the dairy industry typically slaughters cows after five years because their bodies are worn out from constantly lactating and being pregnant.
In addition, nearly 50 percent of these cows are lame when farmers kill them due to standing on concrete floors in filthy and cramped conditions.
Where Can I Buy Vegan Cheeses
Weve noticed more and more chain grocery stores stocking vegan-friendly cheeses in recent years.
A post shared by WORLD OF VEGAN on Feb 15, 2019 at 6:23pm PST
If you cant find a vegan cheese you like at your local supermarket, we recommend putting in a request to your grocery store! You can also check out Sprouts, Whole Foods, or your local Natural Foods store as theyll likely have many options.
And guess what? You can now order gourmet vegan cheese online directly from Miyokos, from specialty online shops like Mylk Guys, and has some vegan cheese items that they can ship to your doorstep!
Read Also: Does Harry And David Cheese Need To Be Refrigerated
A Guide To Vegan Cheese: Whats The Best Dairy
Cheese is one of the most beloved dairy products across the globe. In the US alone, each person consumes over 38 pounds of cheese per year, on average .
As a result of the growing popularity of vegan and other dairy-free diets, numerous dairy-free cheese substitutes are now available.
Vegan cheeses are made from a variety of plant-based ingredients and come in a wide selection of styles and flavors.
This article explores some of the most popular vegan cheese options.
Types Of Vegan Cheese
Nowadays, theres a vegan alternative for just about every type of cheese from feta to Camembert, cottage cheese, to mozzarella.
Furthermore, manufacturers use different ingredients as a base for vegan cheese. Coconut oil is a common ingredient, but some cheeses use sunflower seeds, oats, or butter beans as a base.
Brands design the taste and textures to emulate the mouthfeel and application of their cheesesfor example, mild-tasting stretchy mozzarella for pizzas and crumbly, salty feta for Greek salads.
You May Like: How Long Can String Cheese Be Unrefrigerated
Tangy Cashew Tofu Ricotta
Source: Tangy Tofu and Cashew Ricotta
Its tough to break up with cheese. Thankfully, you dont have to, even if youre cutting back on cheese. This Tangy Tofu and Cashew Ricotta by Molly Patrick is perfect for all your ricotta needs and its so easy to make! Try it in manicotti, baked ziti, and lasagna. Its so tasty, you might even just want to eat it on toast!
How Much Better Is Humane Milk Than Factory Farmed Milk
Outrage about cruel practices on factory farms is growing.
And a lot of people are wondering if they need to boycott animal products entirely, or just switch to humane versions.
Indeed, no U.S. federal law protects farmed animals on factory farms. This has led to animal welfare standards getting lower and lower over time, as farmers focus on maximizing profit.
There are many labels and certification programs that try to ensure animal welfare on farms. Some of these labels do provide improvements. Ill lay out the best certifications later in this post.
But even when the best standards are met some parts of the dairy industry are inherently exploitative. Plus, there is evidence of cruelty even on some organic dairy farms.
So before we get to specific labels, lets cover these examples of cruelty even in humane dairy.
You May Like: Can You Freeze Babybel Cheese
What Foods Cause The Most Brain Fog
The 7 Worst Foods for Your Brain
Why Trust The Spruce Eats
Writer and professional cheese eater Christine Clark teaches cheese and pairing classes throughout the United States and is dedicated to helping people expertly get their cheese on, even if its a vegan cheese theyre looking for. Her cheese adoration is so strong that she has a whole podcast dedicated to it. She is a Certified Cheese Professional through the American Cheese Society.
You May Like: Private Selection Genoa Salami
Which Nutrients Do Dairy
People who lead a dairy-free diet may be concerned about missing certain nutrients from dairy. Rightfully so! If you’re worried about getting enough calcium or protein, there are plenty of other areas from which you can get these nutrients. It also might be worth consulting a nutritionist to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need.
“There is as much calcium in a stalk of broccoli as a glass of milk,” assures Rissetto. “As for protein, more in a 4 oz piece of chickenâabout 47 grams â versus 12 grams in a glass of milk.”
There you have itâwe’ve been looking for calcium in the wrong places all this time. Who knew broccoli had just as much calcium as milk?
The 9 Cheeses Lowest In Lactose
If you consider yourself in a serious relationship with dairy, youre definitely not alone. And if you find your love affair with cheese, in particular, is unrequited, youre also in good company. It turns out about 65% of the worlds population is lactose intolerant, meaning milk-based treats like yogurt, ice cream, and yes, cheese, can produce an array of undesirable digestive symptoms. Luckily for some, cheeses lower in lactose may be the key to happy, pain-free snacking.
Read Also: What Goes Good With Mac And Cheese
Read Also: Do Sealed Cheese Sticks Need To Be Refrigerated
Muenster Very Low Lactose
Is one of those versatile cheeses that make any burger, grilled cheese sandwich, or flatbread pizza crazy good. It is a semi-soft, elastic, mellow cheese with a reddish edible rind. The great news is that it is relatively low in lactose, containing around 0 1.1%. It pairs beautifully with both red or white wine. On a serving platter, it goes well with grapes, pears, nuts, and apples.
You May Like: How Do You Make A Roux For Mac And Cheese
Heres Our Advice For Safe Cheese Eating
While its true that some cheeses are lower in lactose, its important to keep serving sizes in mind. Even a low lactose cheese may screw with your stomach if you eat a ton of it. And the truth is that even among folks with diagnosed lactose intolerance, sensitivity to lactose can vary greatly, Dr. Agarwal explains. Something that barely affects one person could leave another curled up in the fetal position with stomach cramps, which is why Sasson cautions against throwing back a bunch of cheese without giving it a try first. No matter what cheese youre eating , she recommends tasting a small amount first, then giving yourself time to see how your body reacts.
In general, its also best to eat cheese as part of a larger meal whenever you can, because eating it with other foods can make it easier to digest, Sasson says.
And unfortunately, Dr. Agarwal says there isnt always an easy way to know for sure how much lactose is in a product, unless its explicitly marked low-lactose or something similar. So if youre really not sure how much lactose you should eat, check in with your doctor first.
If you cant tolerate even a small amount of Parmesan, your problem with dairy might be something elselike a milk allergy. Sasson says that while lactose intolerance isnt life threatening, a severe allergy definitely can be, so if youre not sure what you have or just how sensitive you are, talk with your doctor before experimenting with any cheeses.
Related:
Also Check: Does Babybel Cheese Have To Be Refrigerated
Enjoy Dairy On The Side
Instead of eating or drinking dairy products by themselves, try having them with food that doesn’t contain lactose. For some people, combining dairy with other food may reduce or even get rid of their usual symptoms. So don’t just drink a glass of milk in the morning. Pour it over cereal or have a piece of toast on the side.
How Does Vegan Cheese Taste
Vegan cheeses have a unique aroma and flavor.
People making the change to a plant-based diet can sometimes find they dont like the taste of vegan cheese.
Therefore, its a good idea to allow at least a few weeks, or preferably months, between transitioning from dairy to vegan cheese.
This approach gives someone time to forget what dairy cheese tastes like and lets them start afresh with new flavors.
Read Also: Does Babybel Need To Be Refrigerated
What Cheeses Are Naturally Lactose Free
Other aged cheeses like Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Swiss and Parmesan also contain little or no lactose. You can learn more about the Cheesemaking process here! Look for the Lactose-Free icon on the packaging of your favorite Cabot cheese products to be sure they are naturally lactose-free.
With lactose intolerance, you can still eat cheese, but choose carefully. Hard, aged cheeses like Swiss, parmesan, and cheddars are lower in lactose. Other low-lactose cheese options include cottage cheese or feta cheese made from goat or sheeps milk.
In this regard, What happens if a lactose intolerant person eats cheese?
People with lactose intolerance are unable to fully digest the sugar in milk. As a result, they have diarrhea, gas and bloating after eating or drinking dairy products. The condition, which is also called lactose malabsorption, is usually harmless, but its symptoms can be uncomfortable.
Is there lactose free mozzarella cheese?
Cheese with trace levels Natural, aged cheese can be digested by many people with lactose intolerance. Cheese with low levels Fresh unripened cheese are not aged.
Also, What to do if you ate cheese and youre lactose intolerant?
Eat smaller portion sizes. Try lactose-free products.
Can I eat mozzarella cheese if I lactose intolerant?
Best Brands For Cruelty
As explained above, dairy is arguably never 100%cruelty-free Even the best certification programs allow castration of cattle without pain relief.
That said, if youre buying dairy, what are the best possible brands to ensure animal welfare?
Below are lists of dairy brands certified as Animal Welfare Approved or Certified Humane . These are the best two certification programs. Since AWA is better, Ive listed AWA-certified brands at the top of each list.
These brands were sourced from this larger guide made by the ASPCA. That guide also includes links and instructions for where you can buy each of these brands.
Also Check: Does Laughing Cow Cheese Go Bad
Who Is The Dairy
While there are no real disadvantages to switching to a dairy-free dietâother than missing out on yummy things like cheese and ice creamâyou may want to consider if this diet is for you before wholly adopting it. Rissetto says if you have a lactose allergy, or would prefer to avoid animal by-products , then this diet might be a good fit.
However, cholesterol is not necessarily a factor. “People with elevated cholesterol levels need not avoid dairy as they can have low-fat variations,” Rissetto says.
Which Ones Should You Choose
Ultimately, the vegan cheese you buy should be based on your own taste preferences and the type of dish for which you intend to use it.
Nutritionally speaking, your best bet is to make your own or choose a pre-made option with the most whole-food ingredients.
Always keep in mind that a well-planned, healthy diet should include a variety of different vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats and lean protein .
If your newfound love of vegan cheese ends up replacing any one of these major food groups, you may be throwing your diet out of balance and risking nutritional deficiencies.
As with any food, moderation and balance are key.
Summary
The vegan cheese you choose should be based on your own tastes and preferences. Just make sure youre eating it as part of a healthy, well-balanced diet.
Read Also: Is The Wax On Babybel Cheese Edible
