Good dairy replacements?

[bluegirl123]

I have been vegetarian for one year and I really want to be vegan now. My only downfall is my milk and cheese consumption. What are some good alternatives that taste good but will also give me the protein and other nutrients that I need?


Thanks!

 

[Lou]

A lot of it has to do with taste. I think a lot of people think almond or oat milk tastes the best

I am a big fan of soymilk. Of all the plant milk it has the most protein per glass. It is also no more expensive than the others. It also has one of the lowest environmental impact.

Pea milk might be as good as soy milk but it tends to be more expensive and I don't like the way it tastes.

We have discussed many times before. At the bottom of the page i linked some of our older threads where we discussed plant milks. There are lots of others but I found these first.

I've also posted some good articles on the subject. Again there are lots of others but I found these first.

What are the best plant-based milk alternatives? - Huel's Guide

There’s a huge range of plant-milks available to try, each with something different to offer. How do we know what the differences are, and which dairy-free product is right for us? Read Huel's guide for the top 10 plant-milk alternatives.

huel.com

Plant-Based Milk: What to Consider When Choosing a Dairy Milk Alternative

Dairy milk consumption is at an all-time low, and the market for nondairy milk is rapidly expanding, offering an unprecedented variety of options. So, if you want moo-free milk, what should you keep in mind? And, which milk alternatives are best, considering flavor, uses, and environmental impact?

foodrevolution.org

Which milk is best? Almond, hemp, oat, soy, or cow's milk

As plant-based alternative milks grow increasingly popular, it can help to know how they compare nutritionally. Find out in this article.

www.medicalnewstoday.com

Here’s How to Choose the Best Vegan Milk

If you’re new to dairy-free living, choosing a vegan milk can be overwhelming, since grocery stores and cafes have more delicious plant-based varieties than ever.

chooseveg.com

News - Oat Milk Should be Your N°1 Choice

Forget almond, soy, and even dairy milk: Oat milk should be the only milk you drink. Here's why. Good article but it didn't convince me to give up on my soy milk. It seems like the author's only point against soy milk over oat milk is that it oat tastes better in coffee. Soy has more protein...

www.veganforum.org

So This Is Why Everyone’s So Hyped About Oat Milk

Cool article, with all kinds of interesting background. https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/best-oat-milk-brands

www.veganforum.org

Trouble with milk

I’m trying to turn vegan but I’m really struggling to like almond milk, I tried almond milk unsweetened is it better to have that or will I rather sweetened one? Don’t know whether I will like soya milk. Will I like it? Or has almond milk for a nicer taste in general?

www.veganforum.org

Almond milk and the bees

Obviously in the push back from the dairy farmers over the popularity of almond milk there have been numerous news articles recently about the use of bees to pollinate the almond trees in California and the amount of bees dying in the process. If you haven't read any of these articles they are...

www.veganforum.org

 

[shyvas]

Hello &

I find that the Alpro range of alternative dairy products are by far the best. You also have the Swedish brand Oatly which also have
excellent oat milk/cream and ice cream. My favourite plant based cheese is Violife. However, it all depends on your taste buds.
If your
favourite cheese is cheddar, none of the plant based really taste like the real thing and there is a time of adaption. I find that the best plant based alternative for melting is Tesco's Free From cheddar style cheese or Violife mozzarella style.

There is also a UK product thread where we try and list all of the new products that are available in the UK supermarkets.

Drinks | Alpro

Looking for the perfect plant-based drink to go over your cereal, whizz up in a smoothie or even as a delicious drink?

www.alpro.com

Our Products

violifefoods.com

New vegan cheese-Violife

We just bought a new vegan cheese the other day called Violife. Taste: Really quite good! Very much like Mozzarella. Jen said it was one of the best vegan cheeses she's had, ever. I think she first bought some from Tesco (delivery?) and then found some more at Holland & Barrett in town...

www.veganforum.org

UK - Product Thread

Chocolate soy yoghurt? Sounds yum :) I know that the ahimsa (slaughter free) project are bringing out a cheese in the next few months. But I'm under sworn secrecy not to tell anyone the details. It will be a good option for people who are unable to give up cheese or transitioning vegans who...

www.veganforum.org

 

[bluegirl123]

Amazing! Thanks so much for both of your responses.
Great to hear your opinions.
I will definitely be checking out those articles, and I am now watching the new product thread!

 

[Powerpeas]

I really like the non-sweetened soy milk by Alpro. I find it doesn't taste as watery as other non-dairy milks. I always try to pick the ones that have calcium added as well

 

[shyvas]

I really like the non-sweetened soy milk by Alpro. I find it doesn't taste as watery as other non-dairy milks. I always try to pick the ones that have calcium added as well

That is the one I also buy. I like it with strong coffee.

 

[Luis Halson]

I'm not vegan (my parents won't even let me go vegetarian, but I am still discussing that with them), but I found the most nutritious milk alternative is soymilk. All others have little nutrition, and must have vitamins added for it to be comparable.

 

[Lou]

I stopped drinking coffee a few months ago. but the desire for something hot and dark to drink in the morning has persisted.

For the last couple of months, I have been having hot chocolate instead. it's decadent but I need the calories. and since i make it with soy milk it is nutritious, too. I have been using Equal Exchange Organic Dark Hot Chocolate to make my morning cup. It's funny that it's mostly my morning beverage that I have to be careful to get the slavery-free brands.

Anyway, I ran out of EE so I asked my sister to pick up some chocolate-flavored soymilk. Most of the plant milk companies are careful about the chocolate they put in their milk. She got me Silk cashew almond chocolate milk. And it has 10 grams of protein from peas. I was a little skeptical at first until I tasted it. I really like it.

 

[Luis Halson]

Soymilk is the healthiest plant-based milk. All others have low nutrient contents, and must be fortified to be comparable in nutrition to dairy milk.

Try making your own cheese - yogurt cheese take your "milk", add a yogurt starter and strain through a cheesecloth, and cottage cheese take your "milk", heat, add an acid, like lemon juice and vinegar and strain though a cheesecloth.https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cheese. DON'T USE ANIMAL RENNET FOR CHEDDAR! It is made from calf stomachs. If you want to make cheddar, use vegetable or FPC(microbial) rennet.

 

[Urban Gardener]

I like rice milk because the flavor is really light. It may not be the most nutrient-rich, but it's good for cereal, coffee drinks, cooking and baking.

I don't know if you're into ice cream, but there is some amazing vegan ice cream out there. I can't imagine eating dairy ice cream again for any reason. The vegan options are so good, and much healthier.

 

[silva]

Soymilk is the healthiest plant-based milk. All others have low nutrient contents, and must be fortified to be comparable in nutrition to dairy milk.

Try making your own cheese - yogurt cheese take your "milk", add a yogurt starter and strain through a cheesecloth, and cottage cheese take your "milk", heat, add an acid, like lemon juice and vinegar and strain though a cheesecloth.https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cheese. DON'T USE ANIMAL RENNET FOR CHEDDAR! It is made from calf stomachs. If you want to make cheddar, use vegetable or FPC(microbial) rennet.

I have never heard of using veg rennet for vegan cheese! Have you done this?

 

[Luis Halson]

Vegetable rennet can be made of extracts from fig juice, dried caper leaf, bedstraw, mallow, thistles, nettles, ivy, and some other plants.
FPC is made by putting the genes in calves that make rennet into microorganisms. Microbial rennet is made from some molds like Rhizomucor miehei.

 

[silva]

Vegetable rennet can be made of extracts from fig juice, dried caper leaf, bedstraw, mallow, thistles, nettles, ivy, and some other plants.
FPC is made by putting the genes in calves that make rennet into microorganisms. Microbial rennet is made from some molds like Rhizomucor miehei.

Yes, and dairy cheese can be made with either. I've never heard of any non dairy cheese being made with rennet of any kind, just fermentation

 

[thinman]

What are some good alternatives that taste good but will also give me the protein and other nutrients that I need?

Here in Canada my wife and I buy organic Natur-a unsweetened soy milk and chocolate soy. I like a hot choc drink in the evening but add a teaspoon of cocoa with a little hot water add the chocolate soy bev then microwave for 60 secs, makes it less sweet and more chocolatey. The plain soy is just plain and natural.

 

[Danielle]

I used to use vegan creamer for coffee, now I just use vanilla almond milk and some chocolate powder.
Miyoko makes the best vegan cheese so far, it’s made out of cashews. It is expensive but well worth it as an occasional snack. 365 makes some good vegan cheese, I like their smoked gouda.

 

[shyvas]

I have never heard of using veg rennet for vegan cheese! Have you done this?

All the artisan plant based cheese companies (Bella cheeze, Nutcrafter, Tyne, etc) use ferments. This enables the plant based option to have a similar taste to dairy.

Volcanic - Aged Charcoal

Our premium Volcanic is an extra aged cashew cheese coated in vegetable ash. It is air aged, rubbed and flipped every day for 4 weeks before the ripening process comes to a close. It has a dry texture, a creamy and characteristic tart and tangy flavour with intense pepper notes. [split]...

www.nutcrafter.co.uk

“The UK was ready for an artisan vegan cheese alternative” | Long Article | Speciality Food Magazine

www.specialityfoodmagazine.com

 

[thinman]

Some years back one of my Yoga teachers made Vegan cheese with cashews, the business just kept growing . . .

Home - Nuts For Cheese - Cashew Cheese, Dairy Free Cheese, Vegan Cheese

 

[silva]

All the artisan plant based cheese companies (Bella cheeze, Nutcrafter, Tyne, etc) use ferments. This enables the plant based option to have a similar taste to dairy.

Volcanic - Aged Charcoal

Our premium Volcanic is an extra aged cashew cheese coated in vegetable ash. It is air aged, rubbed and flipped every day for 4 weeks before the ripening process comes to a close. It has a dry texture, a creamy and characteristic tart and tangy flavour with intense pepper notes. [split]...

www.nutcrafter.co.uk

“The UK was ready for an artisan vegan cheese alternative” | Long Article | Speciality Food Magazine

www.specialityfoodmagazine.com

Well, yes, they use cultures, probiotics, rejuvalac and aging, but I was asking about veg rennet. I've never heard of veg rennet used in vegan cheese.

 

[shyvas]

Well, yes, they use cultures, probiotics, rejuvalac and aging, but I was asking about veg rennet. I've never heard of veg rennet used in vegan cheese.

Vegan rennet is used for making dairy cheeses so I don't see why it wouldn't be used for plant based cheese.

 

[silva]

Vegan rennet is used for making dairy cheeses so I don't see why it wouldn't be used for plant based cheese.

Ever seen it used? I've followed vegan cheese threads and have never seen any rennet used in non dairy cheese, only for vegetarian dairy.
I was simply interested in whether they knew something different. It's a coagulant/thickener for dairy milk and doesn't seem to have a purpose in non dairy cheese