It’s been exactly 15 days since I started my dairy-free experiment. And I have to be honest, it’s going ok. I haven’t had any major moments of weakness or die-hard cravings. Of course, there’s always a part of me that wishes I never had to experiment in the first place. But it’s all good!
Anyways, I think it’s been going ok because of the great dairy-free product discoveries I’ve made. Of course, there is no good substitute for real cheese, but that’s the name of this game I suppose.
So let’s get started.
My beloved Silk Unsweetened Original Almond Milk
Technically this isn’t a new discovery but whatever. Coming from someone who used to drink 3-4 glasses of cow’s milk for the first 27 years of her life, you have to trust me when I say this stuff is good. BUT you do have to give it a fair chance. It doesn’t taste like regular milk, but when included in smoothies and other foods, you really can’t tell the difference. In fact, a year or so ago, I made our morning protein smoothie using regular cow’s milk and it tasted gross. Vishnu even went as far as saying it made him feel like he was going to vomit (just being honest!). So yeah, this is and has been my favorite dairy-free product for almost three years now. I love it!
SO Delicious Coconut Milk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert (aka “ice cream)
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have already seen me profess my love for this stuff. It’s good. The flavor is absolutely spot on (at least the Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl was), but the texture isn’t as creamy as regular ice cream. But for someone who can’t/isn’t eating dairy, this is a great little find. You may or may not find yourself standing in front of the fridge, spoon and container in hand, swearing to eat only a little bit only to find that you finished off whatever was left. Again, you may or may not find that to be true…
Trader Joe’s Vegan Mozzarella Style Shreds
I love love love cheese. Almost as much as I love chocolate. So I had pretty high (and probably unfair) expectations for this “cheese.” When I tried it straight out of the bag, I didn’t like it at all. But obviously wanting to make it work, I used it later that night on some eggplant “pizzas.” And honestly, it was ok. It melted nicely (almost too nicely) and was gooey in texture. And while it didn’t taste like mozzarella cheese, it had a nice buttery flavor to it. I’m not sure if I’ll be buying this brand again. I think I want to try some other “cheeses” first. Or maybe even make my own. (Please feel free to recommend your favorite “cheese” in the comments section.)
SO Delicious Coconut Milk Creamer
We don’t drink a lot of coffee at home, but when we do, both Vishnu and I like to add a touch of cream to it. And put simply, this creamer does the trick. It doesn’t have an overwhelming coconut flavor to it, it’s thick and creamy…what more do you want!
Cashews
Cashews are obviously not a non-dairy product per se. BUT, when you’re making your own food substitutes at home, this particular nut is great to have on hand. Now, I have to say that cashews are probably my least favorite nut. But for some reason, when soaked and blended together with a bunch of other ingredients, they are the perfect base to delicious sauces and even cheesecakes (I have yet to make a raw cheesecake but have tried Robin’s creations). I made this sauce last week and put it on everything…literally. My favorite way to use it is as a cheese substitute on nachos. SO SO GOOD! I ate said nachos at least five times between last week and this week.
If you have any favorite non-dairy product and/or recipes, PLEASE share in the comments section.
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Great list, P! I’ve slowly been introducing dairy back into my diet (primarily in the form of cheese) and so far it’s been working out fine. I’m not so interested in milk or yogurt but I am really enjoying small amounts of cheese again, especially with my eggs. I’m a big fan of the Silk Unsweetened Almond Milk too, but I recently picked up their original variety (vanilla flavour) to use occasionally. Have you tried it? It tastes DELICIOUS especially in the evenings if you want something sweet that’s not chocolate/dessert- I want to try making hot chocolate with it!
Khushboo recently posted…Pinkathon 10 K Race
Ever since I read this comment, I’ve had hot chocolate on my mind! I’m going to buy some vanilla almond milk tomorrow just so I can make it!
I looooove that So delicious ice cream. That flavor in particular is one of my favorites!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables recently posted…Currently: November
You really can’t go wrong with PB and choc!
You haven’t lived till you try the no dairy choco mousse. Well I kid of course but honestly its super easy relatively healthy n tasty. All you need is a ripe avocado, honey and good quality cocoa powder whizz it up in your blender and you have a no dairy dessert in 5mins. 🙂
I made avocado choc mousse a few years ago! Thanks for the reminder…I need to bring it back. I think I’m going to make it one night and not tell Vishnu what’s in it…just to see what he says!
I love all of these! I’m not dairy-free, but I won’t drink anything but almond milk. It just tastes better!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Spicy Butternut Mac ‘n Cheese. With Bacon. [Recipe]
AGREED!
I often use nutritional yeast as a cheese substitute – taste amazing on pizza and pasta! It’s also a good source of B12.
I’ve also cut out all dairy to see if it helps my skin. Fingers crossed!
Bri recently posted…Recipe: Spicy peanut zucchini noodle saute
Nutritional yeast, despite the name, is one amazing ingredient! How’s your skin doing since cutting out dairy??
Yay for Dairy Free!! Honestly I felt the best and only realized after I tried reintroducing dairy into my diet how good I felt and that the change was bigger than I thought. Honestly cashews as a cheesecake is so amazing. My recipes are all from Danielle Walker’s @Against All Grain cookbook. She also has a recipe for a cashew cheese spread, I believe! You should look into it. I’ve found, however, that since cheese substitues are more difficult to come by that it’s easier for me to just add a few extra spices for flavoring and forego the cheese altogether. I’m on Day 10 of my “back to basics” paleo challenge again. Going strong! Keep up the good work! #healthierholidays #doesabodygood
Agreed to all of this! You would love the Oh She Glows cookbook as well. Def. check it out! Miss you!
Good job on the non-dairy! I don’t eat a lot of dairy anymore either. We’ve always drank unsweetened almond milk. Real milk just doesn’t do it for me :-X Aside from a greek yogurt or cheese stick, I don’t eat a lot of dairy! I’ve realized I’m starting to make our dinners each night vegan and not on purpose! I haven’t had as many break-outs and feel healthier and more energized without dairy! Weird, but it’s true. Keep it up!
Aparna B. recently posted…Currently
You need to check out the Oh She Glows cookbook. It’s amazing!
I am all about the unsweetened coconut milk these days!!!! I steered clear for so long, but now I really like it in baking!
GiGi Eats recently posted…Cozy Up With A Bowl of Johnny Depp
Love coconut everything!
Hey! Great post! I love all of those vegan foods!
I suggest, if you can find it in Miami, Luna and Larry’s Coconut Bliss non-dairy ice creams. They are delicious! They are like the So delicious in terms of taste- but have the creamy texture you’re looking for. Personally I haven’t gone back to dairy ice cream because of it! Just thought that tip might solve your texture problem! I get it at Whole foods- hopefully they have it where you live!
Will definitely be on the lookout for this ice cream during my weekly grocery trip tomorrow! Thanks!
Definitely agree on the Luna and Larry’s Coconut Bliss – the hazelnut chocolate fudge is my FAVE!! Also agree about the nutritional yeast as a cheese substitute. I’ve tried Daiya Cheese shreds and like your experience, it’s so not good just out of the bag. It MUST be melted and it’s an acquired taste, but I ended up really liking it (probably because it’s salty). Good luck and looking forward to more dairy free posts!
Taslim Jaffer recently posted…Jean Skirt? What Jean Skirt?! – Week 3 #Moms30for30
I need to try Daiya – a few people have told me it’s pretty good!
Coconut milk ice cream! I have to try it. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Kamana@SocialandStyle recently posted…#PowerWomen – Meet Designer Amy Devan Founder / CEO Naveda Couture
It’s SO good! I highly recommend it!
I’ve heard wonderful things about nutritional yeast also. I also use Earth’s balance buttery spread which is supposed to be vegan. And I sometimes use coconut milk in my smoothies!
Sarita @ it’s my girls’ world recently posted…‘Girls’ Weekend!
Love Earth’s Balance! It tastes just like butter! And I need to try adding coconut milk to my morning smoothies. We use almond milk and absolutely love it!
cashews are a great substitute for creams in gravies… when blended they thicken the sauce. yup. i have to give this coconut creamer a try, when i drink coffee, i need cream too. i have to give that ice cream a try too, i’m not an ice-cream person but might as well try.
Honey, What’s Cooking recently posted…Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Glaze
Yes, I love adding cashew cream to curries, soups, and Indian dishes. It amazes me how well the actually work.
I’ve tried a a bunch on your list and they are good! But I will have to try the cheese! I have a experimented with quite a few dairy free recipes. this one for an iced capp is one of my favourites! http://www.thewritebalance.ca/homemade-iced-capp/
Salma recently posted…Bollywood Movies for the Whole Family
Will definitely be making that soon. I’m on the hunt for delicious dairy-free recipes!
Have you tried Daiya cheese? Probably the best vegan version I’ve had 🙂
That’s next on my list!
Thank you for sharing us your journey. I have yet to try the products you recommended and see whether they can be effective in me. I am sure they will be.
Remy recently posted…Tattoo Removal Lasers May Lessen Acne Scars
Thank you! Good luck to you as well.
[…] When I blogged about new-to-me dairy-free products, a few people suggested I try Daiya Cheese. So I picked up a bag at Whole Foods last weekend and […]