Dairy Free Alternatives

Think you can’t live without ice cream?  Without cheese?  Without milk or yogurt?  Well, you don’t have to!  There are alternatives to all your favorite dairy products and you can buy them in many stores or make them yourself.

There are many Dairy-free alternatives that are delicious and don’t produce inflammation and health problems.  In fact they actually can help prevent or reverse several health conditions.

Take a look at these common dairy items that most people eat on a regular basis and try some of the alternatives.  You may be surprised at not only how good they taste but how good they make you feel.

Milk — Try almond, hemp, soy, oat, rice, coconut, cashew and flax milk.

Ice Cream — Try coconut ice cream….Mmmmm.  Also almond, hemp, cashew and rice ice cream. I make my own by blending frozen fruit with raw cashews and a little almond milk.

Yogurt — You can get both regular and Greek styles without dairy.  Coconut yogurt has the texture of dairy yogurt and a sweet flavor without added sugar.  There is also almond yogurt if you don’t like coconut.

Whipped Cream — Made with canned coconut and it is rich and creamy.

Home made with one ingredient.  You just need one can of full-fat coconut milk (without guar gum as an ingredient).   Put it in the refrigerator over night.  Before making it put a mixing bowl in the freezer for 5-10 minutes.  Remove the can from the fridge and flip it upside down, opening the bottom end and then pouring out the liquid into another bowl (use this for smoothies or other recipes).  Scoop the hardened coconut cream into the chilled bowl and whip it with a hand mixer.  You can add a touch of vanilla and maple syrup or stevia if you want it sweeter……..it’s amazing!

Sour Cream — Can you say cashews and apple cider vinegar?

Homemade — All you need is soaked raw cashews, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and water.  Just google it for an easy recipe.

Cream Cheese — You can make your own but there is no need.  You can find it in your local grocery store. Give it a try.

Parmesan Cheese — Seeds….the base for a great sprinkle cheese.  Walnuts, sunflower and hemp seeds, some nutritional yeast and a dash of sea salt.

Shredded Cheese — Think you can’t make pizza, quesadillas, or live without shredded cheese on your salad or pasta dish…..think again….you can have it without the dairy. There are many brands to choose from at your local grocery store.

Hard Cheese — Aged and hard cheeses do not have to be a dream anymore.  There are delicious cheeses that are truly dairy-free.

Check out the brand Dr. Cow… there are great varieties of flavors…even cashew dulce and cashew kale!

Ranch Dressing — Made with superfoods like apple cider vinegar, nutritional yeast, hemp seeds and fresh herbs….you will never want the fattening dairy version again.

Go dairy-free for a week, 10 days, a month…..who knows, you may just love the healthy new you and stay dairy-free for life.