melissel Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I'm going to try taking us dairy-free in January--I'm hoping it will solve a few different issues here. Almond Breeze has been on sale for the past few weeks, so I bought some and subbed it in for a few things for the kids, and they mostly didn't notice. They even used it for cold cereal and liked it! We use coconut oil for lots of things, too. However, I'll need some kind of butter substitute, and the hardest part will be giving up cheese :crying: I've heard that some kinds of "buttery spreads" still include some dairy components. What kinds are safe if you're trying to go completely CF? And is there a cheese analogue that isn't completely horrid? Is there anything else I'm forgetting? TIA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Earth Balance buttery spread is DF and what we always used. Tofutti makes a pizza that's really good. I never found a cheese that I liked outside of the pizza. Tofutti also makes a really good cream cheese and sour cream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Forgot to add- The best way for any substitute to taste good is to not have anything for a while. So don't have the tofutti pizza a week after regular pizza. Wait a month. Chocolate soy milk is really good, but only if you have not had chocolate milk in a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleWonders Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 We use coconut milk, almond milk (just discovered it - we love the plain), and rice milk (mostly just dh and ds#3) as our milk substitutes. For butter, we go with Earth Balance (usually the organic version). And for cheese, when we need it for something, I'll buy Daiya. It tastes pretty good and is soy free (I try to limit our soy exposure, and usually only buy soy-based items for special desserts (pudding or ice cream once in a while). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 Earth Balance buttery spread is DF and what we always used. Tofutti makes a pizza that's really good. I never found a cheese that I liked outside of the pizza. Tofutti also makes a really good cream cheese and sour cream. Sour cream!!! See, I knew there were things I wasn't thinking of. Adding all of those to my list... :D I was looking at the Earth Balance in my store last night. It listed a few things that made me wonder about sneaky dairy, so I'm glad to know it's an option. I've heard other good things about it. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 And for cheese, when we need it for something, I'll buy Daiya. It tastes pretty good and is soy free (I try to limit our soy exposure, and usually only buy soy-based items for special desserts (pudding or ice cream once in a while). Thank you. I feel the same way about soy, so it will be good to have a soy-free cheese option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Sour cream!!! See, I knew there were things I wasn't thinking of. Adding all of those to my list... :D I was looking at the Earth Balance in my store last night. It listed a few things that made me wonder about sneaky dairy, so I'm glad to know it's an option. I've heard other good things about it. Thank you! Sneaky dairy is not allowed anymore. Allergy labelling laws requires all top 8 allergens (dairy/milk is one of them) to be labelled in plain english. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 You can look at the Kosher labels as a quick guide to dairy stuff. KD is dairy, KDE is made on equipment that also processes dairy, Parve is no dairy. Also, the Vegan V is no dairy. None of these are perfect (except maybe the V), but they're a quick way to look. Trader Joe's does a nice Not Cream Cheese. Tofutti does nice "cutie" ice cream sandwiches. Earth Balance margarine is not bad. I like rice milk better than soy milk, and I think the nutritional profile is better. I second the suggestion to have a break from the real thing before using substitutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I was looking at the Earth Balance in my store last night. It listed a few things that made me wonder about sneaky dairy, so I'm glad to know it's an option. I've heard other good things about it. Thank you! Maybe some flavors or varieties of Earth Balance have dairy and some don't. Looking for the word "vegan" on a product sometimes makes it faster to scan labels. I ate a vegan diet for a few years. I think the advice to wait a while before trying dairy free cheese is valid. You need time to forget the way cheese feels in your mouth, because dairy free cheese doesn't come close! :001_huh: Once I tasted real cheese again, I couldn't go back to the brands of fake cheese I had been eating and enjoying. We drink almond milk, coconut milk (in coffee) and have coconut milk based "ice cream". Cream cheese and sour cream substitutes are pretty easy to adjust to also, especially if they are used as a condiment to something else. ETA: Half of my family eats pizza without cheese. IMO, it taste better than using a cheese substitute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butterflymommy Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I try not to think in terms of substitutes. I don't buy fake dairy or meat products. Most taste weird and are expensive. Depending on what you are cooking, if you just go about things a little differently you can still have a great meal. Hummus and pureed chickpeas are a nice replacement for cheese layers in sandwiches, italian caseroles, and pizza. Buy some soy free vegan cookbooks (even if you don't plan to be vegan) to get some ideas. Donna Klein's mediterranean and italian cookbooks are excellent and soy free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I'mAlmond Breeze has been on sale for the past few weeks I just wanted to add that Almond Breeze milk can be grainier than other brands. We prefer Silk Almond milk (in the dairy case). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I don't substitute, except I did buy the Earth Balance spread once. Someone told me that canola oil works just as well on popcorn - I tried it, it worked, so I don't have a need for the Earth Balance anymore. Occasionally I but Vanilla Soy Milk, but that is more for my 10yo than me (he isn't dairy free, but low-dairy.) I don't miss dairy anymore. It was a little hard at first, but now it isn't a big deal at all. I can tell when I get it inadvertantly (as can anyone else!) I itch terribly. Who knew that my constant scratching was a reaction to dairy?:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Enjoy Life has dairy free chocolate chips. Expensive, but it's really nice to be able to have chocolate. We use the Earth Balance margarine. It's okay. One thing I had to watch for was when we learned that the Light version of one margarine was dairy free but the Regular version contained dairy. You have to read labels every time you buy a product. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I think coconut milk is a good sub in soups. Costco vanilla soymilk is my FAVORITE. I used to love Silk, but now it tastes bean-y to me after the costco brand, but I do NOT like costco's plain. I love love the original vegannaise for just about anything you would use a creamy thing like sourcream. It's so delish on baked potatoes with salt and pepper MMMmmm I use silken tofu alot too. IT's great for making dips and makes the most fabulous no bake chocolate pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 You might also try goat cheese or sheeps milk cheese. Many people who are lactose intolerant can eat them happily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Mainly because I don't want to overdo any one thing (especially soy). We use So Delicious Coconut plain or Vanilla (in smoothies). I buy the So Delicious coconut Kefir for smoothies occasionally. I also use the plain creamer for my coffee. In addition, I make almond milk from scratch. I also buy the hazelnut or hazelnut chocolate (still dairy free) just for treats. My dd also likes the horchata for a treat. I will also buy plain soy for dd to eat on cereal, and chocolate Silk when she wants chocolate. We use the soy-free Earth Balance spread (for homemade bread/waffles) and sticks (for recipes or baking). I'll use it with flour and coconut milk to make a white "sauce" that I can flavor to use in place of a cream soup every now and then. Veganaise is AMAZING!! Tofutti does good cream cheese and sour cream replacements (but the Veganaise people just came out with a cream cheese too, and I'm dying to try it). Haven't found good cheese substitutes - not sure there are things that can really compare with good cheese! Oh, there is this cheeze sauce - Wayfare "we can't say it's cheese." They have a sauce and a spread. Dd will spread some on her sandwiches because she really misses cheese. It's a little like nacho tasting cheese to me, so I like it with tortilla chips when I'm having a craving. It also makes decent quesadillas, especially when you have fresh salsa or pico and some good guacamole. Hope this massive post helps somehow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 So Delicious and Purely Decadent both make AMAZING coconut milk-based ice creams. So Delicious also makes amazing little ice cream sandwiches. Tofutti makes some as well as Almond Dream, but the So Delicious are the best IMO. And Uncle Eddie's makes a killer vegan cookie (in freezer section). Of course, many of the Newman cookies are vegan also. Honestly, we don't eat sweets that often, but we have tried plenty in our couple of years of veg/veganism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondeviolin Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Cheese is where I feel it most. I don't think there's a sub for that. BUT! I'm not dairy-free for me, so I'm not convinced it's all that great. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 We don't generally do subs but if we do: milk: coconut or almond butter: lard, olive oil cheese: daiya I think is the best but still not cheese! icecream: storebought SoDelicious coconut or homemade coconut milk icecream I've made a few homemade vegan cheese sauces and some have been decent- like this one I made w/ pine nuts an imitation ricotta was fairly tasty. I like nutritional yeast on popcorn. Nut yeast is variable though, they taste different depending on brands and I think quite an acquired taste but can really help give something a cheesy flavor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danybug Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 We like Soy milk, but haven't been drinking as much of it. The kids love the Chocolate Silk Soy Milk. I think the tofutti cream cheese and sour cream is good. I also like the Stonyfield O'Soy yogurts, but the kids are not crazy about them. Oh, and we really love the little mini tofutti ice cream sandwiches in all the flavors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted November 5, 2011 Author Share Posted November 5, 2011 Thank you all, I'm so happy to have reliable recommendations! If we stay dairy-free, my ultimate goal is to avoid substitutes as much as possible, but in the beginning, we may have a mourning period in which I'll try to offer some alternatives. If it was just for myself, I wouldn't really bother with subs, but because my hope is that the girls will benefit in a few ways, I want to be able to still offer some of their favorite things, like baked potatoes with a little "butter" and "cream cheese" :D Tonight I made potato-leek soup that called for a cup of heavy cream :svengo: Instead I added a cup and a half of almond milk, added a tablespoon more of the bacon fat, and used my stick blender to thicken it a bit. Everyone loves it! We've gone (mostly) organic and grass-fed, I've gone (mostly) gluten-free, and DD6 can't tolerate any food additives. I've always said the very last thing I wanted to give up was dairy--and here we are :001_huh: You guys are making it sound more manageable. I appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyLittleWonders Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 Dairy was the one I was dreading for so long. It took about 3 years after going GF to finally take the plunge. It was a very good decision for us. We started with Feingold (additives) first as it seemed the easiest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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