Dairy Substitutes

If you want to cut out dairy or just reduce your dairy consumption, you may think you’ll have to give up several of the foods you love (like ice cream, cheese, and baked goods). I was reading a Facebook post a few days ago from a friend who is doing a month-long vegan cleanse and she was upset about missing out on her morning cappuccino and ice cream for dessert. Several of her friends, including me, chimed in that there are really some delicious substitutes out there, and once she tries them she won’t feel like she’s missing out on anything.

Here’s a few of my favorite substitutes for dairy. There are tons of options available. Leave me a comment if you want to share yours!

• Almond milk or soy milk in coffee or tea – I drink tea with unsweetened almond milk and a packet of stevia in the mornings. I love having a warm cup of tea when I wake up. Most coffee shops these days are carrying soy milk and you can ask for them to swap it for your regular milk or cream.
• Coconut Bliss or So Delicious ice cream – These two brands of ice cream are made with coconut milk. The texture is silky and the taste is wonderful…in fact I prefer them to regular dairy ice cream. They are much better than most alternative ice creams. Over the past 6 months I have watched these two brands show up at more and more large and small chain grocery stores. Of course, health foods stores always have a great selection.
• Avocado and hummus on sandwiches or salads – I love spreading mashed avocado and/or hummus on sandwiches that would normally contain cheese or mayonnaise. They provide a wonderful creamy texture that you crave and they help hold sandwiches together. They are great on salads too and can actually be mashed up to make a creamy dressing.
• Coconut milk in soups – Take a look at most of my soup recipes on this site and you’ll notice I always use coconut milk or almond milk instead of milk or cream. Especially in a soup, all you want is a thicker texture, so using a can of coconut milk is super easy and affordable. The coconut flavor is so mild that you’ll never notice it when it’s mixed into a big pot of soup.
  
• Daiya vegan “cheese” on pizza or tacos – Sometimes I make my own pizza at home and I like to buy Daiya’s vegan mozzarella “cheese” to use on top. It has a stretchy and melty texture that is one of the best alternatives. I was hesitant to try this, but my boyfriend says my pizzas are awesome and I make sure to add a bunch of good flavor from tomato sauce, basil, garlic, onions, mushrooms, etc.
• Veganaise for cole slaw or potato salads – When I don’t want to use avocado or hummus and really need something just like mayonnaise, I buy Vegenaise. You can’t even tell the difference when it’s mixed into a salad or slaw.

Some of the best alternatives are processed, but I still feel better about eating them than actual dairy. I reach for whole food dairy alternatives whenever possible.  Kicking your dairy habit may help you reduce asthma and allergies, clear up your skin, lower bad cholesterol, and reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer.

Worried about calcium intake? Several plant-based foods are higher in calcium than dairy foods and are actually easier for your body to absorb. For example, sesame seeds, leafy greens, sea vegetables, chickpeas, and almonds.

You might also like:

• Healthy Summer Dessert
  Read More>>