Don’t Forget The Calcium
“Dairy is an excellent source of high-quality protein, calcium, and vitamin D. By choosing to reduce daily dairy consumption, it’s important that an individual pays closer attention to his or her calcium intake,” says Paul Salter, MS, RD, CSCS. “Calcium plays several crucial roles in the bodynamely in bone formation and muscle contraction. Dairy is an excellent source of calcium and is often the ‘go-to’ recommendation for boosting daily intake. Fortunately, there are several other calcium-rich food options that can be incorporated in place of milk, yogurt, or cheese.” So what can you grab instead of dairy for that all-important calcium? Sardines are your top choice with 33 percent of your daily value! For more great options, check out non-dairy calcium-rich foods!
Watch What Goes In Your Coffee
While coffee on its own is actually really good for you and filled with antioxidants, what you add to it is the problem. And if you’re trying to cut back on dairy, then your morning Joe is the perfect place to start. “Try Silk Almond Milk Creamer, Califia Almond Milk Creamer, or So Delicious Coconut Milk Creamer. You may also like using regular almond, cashew, or coconut milk to replace milk or cream. If you use skim milk in your coffee, rice milk will be the closest substitute,” explains Shacter.
And so many brands are now making coffee coolers that use almond or coconut milk. If you love cream or Half and Half in your cup, try keeping canned coconut milk in the fridge. “The cream rises to the top, and looks similar to a thick whipped topping,” says Shacter. And don’t forget that Starbucks now offers coconut milk as a dairy-free option. But one thing you should not grab, according to Shacter, is non-dairy creamer. “It typically employs trans fats or other unhealthy ingredients.”
Where Can I Buy Miso
Believe it or not, most major grocery stores sell it. Its refrigerated, and might be with probiotic foods, in the deli case, or in the refrigerated case by the produce department. Natural food stores and Japanese markets often sell a few different types and brands. Im not loyal to any particular brand, but do like to use a white or light miso in this dairy-free cottage cheese recipe.
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Dairy Free Down Under
Dairy Free Down Under have a huge range of products including cheddar and mozzarella shreds and slices, and even a cashew parmesan. You can find them at independent supermarkets and specialty stores, and you can also get their cheddar slices and mozzarella shreds at Costco stores nationwide! .
Available at independent supermarkets and Costco.
Use Yeast Extract Instead Of Cheese
Nutritional yeast is a healthy yeast that is high in B-vitamins and can make things taste like cheese when it is added to recipes. “It’s great for homemade gluten-free and dairy-free recipes like macaroni-and-cheese, polenta, bean dips, mashed potatoes, organic popcorn, cooked vegetables, kale chips, roasted nuts and salad dressings,” Shacter says. Want to lighten up your chicken wings in a really delicious way? Shacter recommends reheating leftover chicken in a frying pan with Frank’s RedHot sauce, 1-2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast, and then a little olive oil, avocado oil, or ghee.
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Embrace The Calorie Cutting
“Cutting down excess dairy is a great way to cut out extra ‘hidden’ daily calories,” says Allyson Kramer, author of Naturally Lean! “For example, think about your coffee. Just one tablespoon of heavy cream contains over 50 calories while one tablespoon of almond milk has only three calories. Next time you order a pizza, ask for “no cheese” and top with your favorite veggies. This small change alone will save you around 270 calories per slice!” And another great reason to decrease dairy is to increase the other types of nutritious foods you can enjoy. “Instead of filling up on dairy products, try replacing them with whole foods, such as vegetables, nuts, and beans.” Bottom line? Instead of obsessing over the dairy you are missing, embrace the calories that are also being cutand the new, interesting ways you get to eat! Speaking of cutting calories, here are simple swaps to cut calories that are so easy you can shave thousands of calories from your diet in a week!
Rework Your Idea Of Nachos
“Try using tahinia ground sesame pasteinstead of cheese to make a healthier nacho cheese dip,” says Yellen. “Blend together seven tablespoons of tahini with ¾ cup water, six tablespoons nutritional yeast, two tablespoons of ground cumin, and ½ teaspoon sea salt. Serve with salsa and your favorite tortilla chips.”
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How To Make Dairy Free Cream Cheese
All you need to make this recipe is a few simple ingredients:
- Soaked raw cashews
- Onion powder
- Scallions
All you need to do is combine these ingredients in a food processor or high-speed blender, and process them into a smooth spread!
I use a little mini food processor, which works well for this amount. I recommend periodically scraping down the sides and processing a few times to get the smoothest texture you can.
Kite Hill Chive Cream Cheese
Going dairy-free doesn’t mean you should have to give up perfectly toasted bagels loaded with cream cheese. This version from Kite Hill is spreadable, silky, and tangy. The airy base is everything you want in a cream cheese, and chives help cover up any almond-milk flavor that might linger in the product. If you are inviting people over for brunch, go ahead and buy a couple more tubs than you think you might need. You’ll be glad you did.
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Dairy Free Cream Cheese Recipe
If youre on a dairy-free diet but are missing your morning bagel and cream cheese, youre in luck! This dairy free cream cheese is a perfect spread for bagels or crackers. The scallions and onion powder give it a punch of flavor that tastes great spread on a bagel or toast, and the cashews create the smooth base for this vegan cream cheese.
Its Not Good For The Planet
There are also environmental reasons not to eat dairy cheese.
According to a 2020 report by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, 13 of the worlds largest dairy corporations combined emitted more greenhouse gases in 2017 than major polluters BHP, the Australia-based mining, oil, and gas giants, and Conoco Phillips, the United States-based oil company.
The report comments that even though evidence suggests our food system is responsible for up to 37 percent of all global emissions, there is little public pressure to hold worldwide meat and dairy corporations accountable for their emissions.
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Can I Make Lower Fat Dairy
As mentioned in the recipe notes, you can use low-fat mayonnaise. I prefer real mayonnaise in this recipe for optimal taste and consistency. But if you are used to light mayo, then it might still taste perfect to you. Using light mayo will reduce the fat to about 6.2 grams per serving, and the calories to about 80 calories per serving. I have not tried yogurt in place of the mayo, so I cant guarantee taste if you opt to substitute an unsweetened, plain dairy-free yogurt. Brands can vary widely in taste, and will influence the flavor.
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.
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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.
I Have Your Book But Havent Seen This Recipe Where Is It
There are over 250 recipes in the 2nd edition of Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook, so it can be easy to miss some! This is the Cottage-Style Cheeze recipe in the Cheesy Alternatives recipe chapter. Please note this recipe is not in the 1st edition. I perfected it for the 2nd edition specifically.
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Lighten Up Your Cooking Habits
It can become a habit to cook with certain fats or oilsespecially butter. We already talked about ghee as an alternative but realize that in a pinch, that’s not for everyone. “What could replace butter in your famous brownies, or in mashed potatoes? There are many unique substitutes out there that can taste just as wonderful,” says Yellen. “Try using one cup of mashed banana instead of butter in your baking recipe, or almond milk instead of regular milk. Instead of butter and cream, use unsweetened soy milk and extra virgin olive oil to whip up fluffy mashed potatoes.”
You Can Still Scream For Ice Cream
“There are some great dairy-free ice creams on the market, such as Rice Dream or Tofutti ,” recommends Yellen. “Recently, Ben and Jerry’s launched a new line of vegan ice cream made with almond milk. Classic flavors like Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Chunky Monkey can now be enjoyed dairy-free!” And if in a pinch, , MS, RD, LD/N, CLT and Carillon Miami Beach Functional Nutritionist, recommends using frozen and blended bananas with or without other frozen fruit to make a ‘nice-cream’ dessert treat.
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Go For The 80/20 Method
If you’re eliminating dairy because you’re worried about bigger picture health problems, Ciorciari says not to omit dairy from your diet all at once. “If cutting it out all at once is too difficult, maybe try an 80/20 approach where 80 percent of choices are dairy-free and the other 20 percent are better choices,” suggests Ciorciari. “I often recommend starting with only ‘known’ tolerated foods and making changes for any identified foods known to be problematic. You may also want to avoid trigger foods or foods that are extremely difficult for you to keep portioned. For instance, if cheese is a known trigger, maybe consider a non-dairy swap or choose ‘crumbles’ of feta or goat cheese as a measure of portion control.”
Regular Versus Dairy Free Cream Cheese
Now Im going to give you a little truth up front if youre expecting Philadelphia, this isnt it. I have yet to find a substitute, homemade or store bought, which tastes exactly like your standard dairy-based cream cheese.
But now, the good news! This spread is rich, tangy, savory, and tastes absolutely delicious. Aside from eating it just slathered on a bagel, I make this awesome vegan bagel sandwich that includes this spread along with avocado, cucumber, scallions, spinachits insanely good.
Im going to venture to say this homemade version is way better than most of the cream cheese alternatives you find at the store both as far as flavor and nutrition. Some of the store-bought varieties are filled with odd ingredients, and many have a strange, almost artificial taste to them.
This is one of my favorite recipes in my upcoming cookbook, a Dairy Free Cookbook for Beginners be sure to grab your copy for the other 100 awesome recipes in the book!
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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.
We Tried More Than 80 Vegan Cheese Brandshere Are The 15 Best
These pleased even the most loyal cheese devotees.
These days, you could get lost in the vast number of recipes calling for vegan cheese on the interwebsand there are hundreds of plant-based and dairy-free cheeses on the grocery store shelves to choose from.
Its a major win: Giving up dairy no longer means breaking up with your fave foodsnot even grilled cheese or nachos!
The only problem: Not all vegan cheeses are exactly, well, good.
To make the epic quest for an edible vegan cheese a little easier, the Womens Health test kitchen put more than 80 different cheese-less cheeses to the test. The test covered every cheesy vibe in the book, including blocks, shreds, slices, cream cheeses, soft spreads, dips, quesos, and cheese sauces.Some were nut-based, others coconut oil-based, and a few even touted tofu as their main ingredient. As they tested everything from smoked gouda knock-offs to garlic herb spreads, the WH testers shared their feedback candidlyand werent afraid to call it like it was .
Finally, after taste-testing every kind of vegan cheese under the sun, the team curated the best of the bunch. The result: 15 delicious vegan cheeses that can totally pass for the real thing.
Whether you follow a vegan diet, want to scale back on dairy, or just crave something different to dip your tortilla chips in, you can’t go wrong with these tried-and-true vegan cheeses.
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The Ultimate Comfort Food Just Got A Major Upgrade In This Dairy
Your eyes are not deceiving you, this really is Dairy-free Mac and Cheese
No, really. It is. There is absolutely ZERO cheese involved in this recipe which is partly why its so brilliant. The other reason is that is PACKED with vegetables. Um hmmmmm. Veggies!
And youll never know theyre in there. This Dairy-free Mac and Cheese is so silky, rich, creamy and cheesy that it fooled even my most discerning, veggie-sniffing daughter. Not kidding, this kid can smell a hidden veggie from miles away like a customs dog on the hunt for pineapples and cigars.
The day I developed this recipe was the first official real snow of the season here in Boulder. The girls came running into the house just as I was pulling the bowl of mac and cheese off the table by the window where Id been photographing it and they immediately started to inhale it. Still in jackets, hats and snow boots. And there may have been a fight over the last noodle, too.
Naturally, I asked: Is it good? They both nodded and smiled. Satisfied with their answer, I turned to walk into my office and heard my oldest say to my mom as I left the room: That wasnt REAL mac and cheese. I dont know what it was but it was good. YASSSSSSS!
Mom: 1, Veggie-sniffer-outer: 0
The secret is in the sauce
Okay, enough about my on-going endeavor to hide all the veggies you came here to learn how to make the BEST Dairy-free Mac and Cheese, right?
A food-allergy sufferers dream come true
#macandcheeseforeveryone
Miyokos Smoked English Farmhouse
This cashew-based cheese was made for the cheese plate. Cut yourself a wedge and prepare for an intense flavoryoure first hit with a sharpness thats countered with a creamy smokiness that lingers on your tongue. Like all solid relationships, this dairy-free cheese is well-rounded . Opt for this cheese wheel when you want to impress or simply treat yourself to a bit of indulgence.
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Rethink Your Protein Powder
An easy way to cut dairy and probably not even taste it all is to change your protein powder to one that is plant-based instead of whey protein. “Choose a low sugar organic pea, rice, quinoa or blended plant protein powder to add to shakes and smoothies, hot cereals, and more,” Ciorciari recommends. The Eat This, Not That! team also did all this research for you already don’t miss our exclusive guide to best and worst protein powders!
How Do You Make Mac And Cheese Creamy Without Dairy
This ultimate dairy-free mac and cheese happened thanks to a lot of trial and error.
How can macaroni and cheese be so rich and creamy and, well, cheesy, without the – you know, the most important ingredient: the cheese?
There are so many different ways you can make macaroni and cheese without dairy. The trick is finding one that suits your personal tastebuds.
I’ve tried using butternut squash, and while I liked the results, I can’t always find fresh butternut squash year-round.
What has worked for me time and time again is a combo of these ingredients.
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Made From A Variety Of Sources
The first dairy-free cheeses were created in the 1980s and were not particularly palatable.
However, the vegan cheese market has exploded in the last few years. There is now a multitude of flavorful varieties, some of which could fool even the most devoted cheese connoisseur.
They can be purchased from the store or made at home and are often crafted from unexpected ingredients.
