If you decide to cut dairy from your diet (and my article “All about Dairy” might help you in deciding whether that is the right decision for you) you will most probably be looking for alternatives. There are plenty of dairy-free substitutes available in stores that are worth a try. They range from nut milks to dairy free cheeses. I recommend choosing brands that keep it simple: without added sugar, preservatives or other ingredients that we best do without. If lactose is a problem for you and you would like to continue using cow milk products, there are also some good lactose-free dairy products available.
Most of the easily available dairy alternatives are soy based and I would like to give a word of warning here, because I fell into that trap many years ago and I suffered the (hormonal) consequences. Most soy products are heavily processed, contain phytoestrogens which can upset the body’s hormonal balance, have added sweeteners and preservatives and unless labeled organic the soy they are made of is most probably genetically engineered. There is definitely a place for whole and fermented soy products but I would like to caution you against the heavily processed kinds such as soy milk.
Here are a few dairy-free alternatives that can easily be made at home. Easy, quick and you will know exactly what you are putting in your mouth!
Milk:
My personal favorite home-made dairy free milks are almond milk and coconut milk. They are both easy to make, naturally sweet in taste and smooth in consistency. Both work with breakfast porridge, over granola, in smoothies and shakes.
Recipes:
Ice Cream:
Super easy to make and super delicious. The chocolate banana ice-cream is a favorite with my boys and they know a good ice cream when they taste it.
Cheese Cake:
This is something I discovered when I did a raw food detox diet about 9 years ago: dairy and gluten free “raw” cheesecake. Absolutely finger-licking good.
I will be adding more dairy free recipes in the future so keep checking for other healthy options. Or share yours below!
