Dairy-Free Milk Products Archives - The Beet https://cms.thebeet.com/category/dairyfree-milk-products/ Your down-to-earth guide to a plant-based life. Fri, 20 May 2022 15:31:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 “I Tried Shake Shack’s Plant-Based, Non-Dairy Milkshake. Here’s the Scoop!” https://thebeet.com/i-tried-shake-shacks-plant-based-non-dairy-milkshake-heres-the-scoop/ Wed, 18 May 2022 22:56:02 +0000 http://thebeet.com/?p=95366 When you are avoiding eating dairy, and instead are trying to be plant-based, as I am, there are only a few things you miss. One of those is milkshakes. So when I...

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]]> When you are avoiding eating dairy, and instead are trying to be plant-based, as I am, there are only a few things you miss. One of those is milkshakes. So when I heard that Shake Shack was introducing a vegan milkshake made out of 100 percent plant-based ingredients, made with NotCo non-dairy Milk and dairy-free Icecream, I leaped at the chance to try it. (Tough job, I know, but someone’s gotta do it.)

I jumped into my sneaks and ran out of the house, and up to my local Shake Shack at 86th Street and Lexington Avenue, in New York City, with Bonnie the beautiful sheepdog in tow.

Shake Shack Now Has Vegan Milkshakes in Partnership With NotCo

Here is what I thought and whether I would recommend this plant-based shake to others.

First of all, Shake Shack was busy! The popular destination had drawn a diverse group of New Yorkers of all ages and from all walks of life, including a half-dozen schoolkids grabbing an after-school snack, a couple of men in hard hats, and a spiffy-looking elderly man in a wheelchair with a fedora, waiting for his order patiently, his female companion at his side. The crowd spanned from ages 2 to 82, by the looks of it.

Upon ordering, I asked the young woman who beckoned me to the counter, “I’ll have the plant-based shake. But, are you sure all the ingredients are vegan?” At this, the helpful young woman said: “Let me check!” and she disappeared from behind the register for a brief instant, to go ask. In a few seconds, she came back, and cheerfully reported: “Yes! Everything in it is 100 percent plant-based!” I ordered a chocolate shake, glanced over at the menu board and saw that it had 695 calories, and decided to skip the veggie burger and fries.

How the Shake Shack Vegan Milkshake Tastes

We paid our $7.17 (including tax) and went outside on the bright spring day to sit down and wait at one of the metal and wooden tables in the courtyard and had very little time to check our email before my name was called!. In less than a minute, I heard “Lucy!” and was handed a large, cold, heavy white cup brimming with a chocolate shake.

The best sign that this milkshake would not disappoint was when I submerged the wide paper straw into the shake and it took a little work to get it to pass into the thick texture, which actually resisted! The plant-based shake appeared so thick that the straw stood up in the middle, on its own, surrounded by an icy chocolate mixture that promised a legitimately chocolate shake taste. It did not disappoint!

One sip and I was back to my childhood. We used to have these chocolate milkshakes after a day at the pool when my mom would let each of us kids have “one treat” a day, and I chose this. After swimming, diving, and a rousing game of Marco Polo, we never thought about calories, but instead were completely depleted and the milkshake was a way of quieting us down for the car ride home. So for me, a chocolate milkshake says: “Summer,” and spending time outside, and enjoying one’s food without guilt or recrimination.

So that’s what I decided when I did more than just “taste test” this shake. I sipped it down, one thick, smooth, chocolatey straw full at a time. As I walked toward home, sipping and relaxing and luxuriating in my “one treat” I decided that the calories were beside the point. What mattered was the joy and taste treat that this vegan, dairy-free milkshake offered.

Shake Shack and NotCo Team Up for a Vegan Milkshake

For context, NotCo is a Chilean-based company with investors that include Roger Feder, Questlove, and Lewis Hamilton. Their non-dairy milk is made from a blend of pea protein with taste notes of cabbage and pineapple (which you can’t taste) and smoothness from sunflower oil (also not perceptible). NotCo milk has no transfat, no cholesterol, only 4 grams of carbs per cup, and 4 grams of protein.

NotCo recently announced a partnership with Kraft Heins, to bring out vegan versions of some of the American food giant’s most popular products, including Lunchables. When news hits that Lunchables will introduce a vegan option, it struck a sentimental chord with a generation raised on the boxes, something the company is counting on.

The new Shake Shack vegan milkshake is likely to appeal to Millennials and Gen Z generations, who shop with a mindful eye to sustainability and health, which is driving big legacy companies like Kraft and Nestle to introduce new plant-based alternatives for their most beloved products. A recent study found that 55 percent of consumers shop with the sustainability of their food in mind.

Anyone with a dietary restriction such as lactose intolerance, or who just doesn’t like the idea of cow’s milk or real dairy, will be a consumer of this Shake Shack vegan milkshake.  It’s a way for sustainably-minded consumers who care about how their food choices impact the environment, as well as nutrition, to share their favorite childhood treats with their own kids.

Where Can You Find Shake Shack’s Vegan Milkshake?

The dairy-free milkshakes are part of a limited-time trial that will occur in Florida and New York; at the Garden Mall, Miami Beach, Winter Park, The Fall Carol Gables, Astor Place, Harlem, Midtown East, Upper East Side, and Battery Park City locations.

For more delicious dairy-free ice creams, check out our Beet Meter for the best dairy-free ice creams taste-tested by tough critics: kids!

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]]> We Tried Pistachio Milk. Here’s Why It’s Better Than Other Plant Milks https://thebeet.com/what-is-pistachio-milk/ Fri, 28 Jan 2022 17:00:53 +0000 http://thebeet.com/?p=87350 Pistachio milk is having a moment. There’s a reason that the non-dairy milk made from tiny little green nuts is gaining in popularity: It’s packed with protein and fiber, has about...

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]]> Pistachio milk is having a moment. There’s a reason that the non-dairy milk made from tiny little green nuts is gaining in popularity: It’s packed with protein and fiber, has about the same number of calories as skim milk, but is perhaps the best non-dairy creamer you can find. Pistachio milk, when steamed, creates a thick, rich, frothy addition to coffee that has all the texture and taste of half and half, or a barista-style creamer, but with less saturated fat, carbs, and calories. Plus pistachio milk is friendlier to the environment than almond milk.

We put pistachio milk to the test, to see if it would hold up to our latte-loving standards when frothed and spooned onto our favorite Vente, then used it as our morning choice in cereal and even tried drinking it straight from the glass. Here’s what we found out about the milk that is making the scene, and how it stacks up to oat milk and almond milk and all the other best-selling plant-based milks in just about every category, including price. Read on for our review on pistachio milk and when you should use it instead of your usual almond, oat, or another non-dairy creamer.

One note: We tried the chic brand, Táche, simply for the reason that our friend had bought a case of six (how they are sold online) and offered us the option to try one. Then we learned it was female-founded, by Roxana Saidi, who is of Middle Eastern descent and grew up with pistachios as a household staple. But Elmhurst 1925 makes it as well, and you can also make your own, though we don’t guarantee your product will be as smooth or frothy as the kind sold in stores since they are careful to make sure no extra nibs of nuts makes it into the formula.

What does? Pistachios are grown for their taste and quality since according to the website, these nuts are like the grapes that make up your favorite wine: Where they are grown, including the water, the soil, and the sunlight, impacts what your pistachios ultimately taste like. So we can’t vouch for your home-grown version, but here is what we thought of Táche’s original unsweetened formula.

Is pistachio milk healthy?

Pistachios are popular not only because they are packed with protein and fiber, (6 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per ounce) but they contain micronutrients and must-have essential vitamins and minerals that include Calcium and zinc, which make this nut milk well worth the 92 calories in a cup.

Pistachio milk has more potassium than other non-dairy milk, and it is also a great source of antioxidants, phytosterols, and heart-healthy fats. Unlike most oat milk, Táche contains no added vegetable or canola oils, which can add up. According to the website, “just one serving of oat milk with rapeseed (i.e. canola oil) is the equivalent of ingesting about the same amount of oil used for frying a medium order of fries.” Not so with pistachio milk, which has fewer calories, sugar, and carbs than oat milk.

Why is pistachio milk popular?

Pistachio milk has elbowed its way into the top milk trends of our time, nudging over oat and almond milk, and putting a new lactose-free dairy-free, and cholesterol-free option on the coffee creamer counter. One reason: It froths! In our brief test, pistachio milk steamed up smoothly and frothed as well as dairy milk or cream when added to coffee and matcha drinks. We would go as far as to say that pistachio milk is the best non-dairy creamer around.

Is pistachio milk expensive?

This is where pistachio milk falls down in comparison with other options. While it’s one of the richest, most luxurious plant-based milks around, it’s also the priciest. While you may have some price aversion (it sells for about $7.80 for a 32-ounce carton), keep in mind that it has a long shelf life. If you buy a case of six cartons, they will last for up to 12 months unrefrigerated so long as they are not in a storage area that gets hotter than 88 degrees Fahrenheit or colder than freezing. Once you open the carton, it will last for up to 10 days in the fridge or longer but the taste may start to turn (though it is still safe).

One reason it is so expensive is the same reason your favorite shelled pistachios are expensive to buy in the store, according to experts. “The pistachio cultivation process is lengthy because the trees require a specific climate and they take a long time to grow, which makes pistachio milk more expensive for the consumer,” Kylene Bogden, R.D. told Real Simple in an interview.

Is pistachio milk good for the environment?

Absolutely. If you usually choose almond milk, but care about which plant-based milk is best for the environment, you need to think about the fact that pistachios require half as much water to grow as almonds, and are on a par with oats as environmentally friendly crops.

One ounce of almonds requires about 97 gallons of water to grow, with most US almonds coming from drought-stricken California. Pistachios need about 75 percent less water to produce, according to research by UNESCO. With a shelf life of 12 months and recyclable packaging, pistachio milk also lasts long enough to be a pantry staple, when you order a case of six, lowering your trucking and shipping footprint.

Is it easy to make your own pistachio milk?

Big yes. So simple, but it takes soaking the nuts overnight. All you need to do is blend the mushy nuts and water, then strain the pulp off by running the mixture through a cheesecloth. It’s a bit of a messy business, and your yield (just a few ounces) may not make it worth the trouble, especially now that there are excellent store-bought options. Once upon a time, the best way to get pistachio milk was to make it yourself. While this results in pistachio milk, it may be that in this instance, homemade does not equal superior. I tried it and first of all my pistachios had been salted, so the milk was savory. And perhaps I have a terrible old basic blender, but there was something lacking in the uniformity, richness, and overall smoothness of the homemade concoction, and I would advise sticking with store-bought blended options, especially if what you’re looking for is froth-ability.

Who makes pistachio milk?

Both Táche ($7.79) and Elmhurst ($6.49) make neutral-tasting pistachio milk that you can either sweeten with maple sugar or make savory by adding a dash of salt. The Elmhurst blend is tailored to be added to coffee, since its Barista Edition comes in a variety of flavors suitable for seasonal coffees, including their pistachio milk option.

If making a professional grade coffee is your jam, add a light sprinkling of pistachio nuts on top of the foam, and then take your picture and post it so your friends will know you could, if necessary, always get work as a barista.

Does pistachio milk foam?

Like a champ. That’s one of the biggest selling points of pistachio milk. Other than the nutrition benefits. This stuff foams like you work at Starbucks and were trained to make adorable leaf or heart patterns on the top of your latte. Play with it. Like a bubble bath, for your chai latte.

What happens when you drink it?

How much do you like pistachios? I myself eat them by the fistful. The only reason I keep the shelled variety in my cabinet is to slow myself down from inhaling a cup or two a day. That’s the downside of loving pistachios so much. However, if you sip this as a milk alternative, or add it to a smoothie, the subtle taste just comes through like a hint or memory: Your brain may acknowledge it but your tastebuds won’t feel overwhelmed.

Is pistachio milk good for cereal?

Yes. When you add pistachio milk to your favorite breakfast cereal, it adds a little depth to the otherwise light, bran-flavored flakes. Or add it to Grape Nuts, which is also fiber and protein-filled, and you’ll make them taste even better. Or pour over your favorite granola, since the blend of the pistachio taste and the crunchy clusters make for a nutty, home-grown blend of flavors.

Bottom Line: Pistacho milk can replace all your plant-based needs

Foam it, pour it, or use it as a  baking ingredient. Pistachio milk is better for the environment, and for you.

For more product recommendations, check out The Beet’s plant-based product reviews.

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]]> Should You Replace Dairy in Your Diet? Here’s What the Research Says https://thebeet.com/should-you-replace-dairy-in-your-diet-heres-what-the-research-says/ Mon, 13 Dec 2021 23:17:35 +0000 http://thebeet.com/?p=80779 Two-thirds of Americans have tried non-dairy milk – or are fully switching to dairy-free alternatives – and last year, non-dairy products were the fastest-growing segment of the plant-based market, with $2.5 billion in...

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]]> Two-thirds of Americans have tried non-dairy milk – or are fully switching to dairy-free alternatives – and last year, non-dairy products were the fastest-growing segment of the plant-based market, with $2.5 billion in sales in 2020. As more Americans are aiming to go dairy-free and edge their way toward eating plant-based, they are finding and trying more dairy substitutes than ever at the supermarket. So the question now is: What do they know that other consumers don’t? Is it time to give up dairy?

As more companies are introducing dairy-free milk alternatives, it’s easier than ever to ditch dairy and instead choose plant-based milks, non-dairy coffee creamers, coconut-milk yogurts, cashew-nut cheeses, and ice creams made of everything from coconut cream to almond milk. Americans are searching for and buying these dairy-free substitutes in record numbers, making plant-based dairy alternatives are the fastest-growing plant-based category, up 45 percent since 2019.

Why the big switch? Is dairy bad for you? It’s been linked to increased risk of everything from acne to breast cancer, and new research is being published recently that links full-fat dairy consumption to chronic inflammation that drives up your lifetime risk for disease, including heart disease, cancers, and type 2 diabetes. So is it a good idea to give up cow’s milk for the sake of your health, the planet, and animals?

Here’s what the science tells us, and how easy it is to replace dairy with non-dairy foods, including cheese and coffee creamers, that are as tasty and satisfying as the real thing, and much less harmful. The latest plant-based milks even offer calcium, vitamin D, B12, and protein, without all of the saturated fat content. Here’s what to know about how and why to replace dairy in your diet.

Your Dairy-Free Guide: Why and How to Replace Dairy in Your Diet

In recent years, big players in the dairy industry have responded to the growing demand for plant-based milk by pivoting away from cow’s milk, such as Elmhurst, which decided to re-engineer its entire production line to only sell non-dairy plant-based milk products. Newer players like Oatly, Califia, and NadaMoo have made inroads into the dairy market by offering popular dairy-free options, joining long-time soymilk makers like Eden Foods and Organic Valley. it’s the fastest-growing area of the food category, showing no signs of slowing down.

When the dairy board fought back with billboards that said: “Nut Milk is Not Milk” it became clear that demand had reached a level threatening to the dairy industry – as if Borden going out of business was not signal enough that times are changing and so are consumer preferences.

For decades, the dairy industry has perpetuated the myth that milk builds strong bones, and that “Got Milk” drove home the message that milk from a cow is an essential household necessity. Now the latest research tells us the opposite is true, as an expanding library of published peer-reviewed studies are revealing that full-fat dairy from cows presents more health dangers than benefits, and full-fat dairy has been linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer, and cardiovascular diseases such as hardening of the arteries, and blockages that can lead to stroke and heart attacks.

There’s never been a more opportune time to switch. The market is literally flooded with alternatives that taste the same as traditional milk without all the saturated fat and hormones that cow’s milk carries. Considering the health profile of plant-based milk, its relative sustainability for the planet (factory farming is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases of any industry), and the vast choice of products now on the market, giving up dairy can be simple. Here are the top five reasons to drop dairy and some easy tips for achieving a dairy-free diet.

Why Dairy is Bad For You & The Planet

Dairy has been linked to acne

Whether it’s due to stress, hormones, or dietary choices, adult-onset acne can be one of the most infuriating dermatological issues to struggle with. For those who suffer from breakouts, it is important to consider how acne may be linked to your diet. Several studies have linked breakouts to dairy intake, including a report from the Clinical Nutrition Journal that discovered a relationship between dairy and acne breakouts across all ages. Consumption of whey protein has been shown to cause skin inflammation which can block pores and create breakouts. By cutting dairy from your diet, it is possible to reduce breakouts that have not responded to taking prescription drugs or topical medications.

“In some cases, although they haven’t responded to acne medications, their skin improves when they stop taking whey protein,” according to Rajani Katta, M.D, dermatologist and author of Glow: The Dermatologist’s Guide to a Whole Foods Younger Skin Diet.

Leading dermatologists and researchers have reported on research that showed acne is tied to both dairy and sugar consumption, and dairy specifically appears to be a primary contributor to both the severity and frequency of outbreaks. Whether you’re dealing with acne or eczema, a diet that is heavy on dairy can be harmful to your skin’s health. By cutting dairy consumption, sufferers have been able to combat stress- or hormone-related outbreaks.

“Dairy increases the occurrence and severity of acne and eczema,” says Trista Best, a Registered Dietitian at Balance One Supplements. “Dairy leads to an overproduction of mucus in the body, which results in a greater amount of oil on the skin, primarily the face.”

Dairy causes inflammation, slowing recovery time for athletes

Athletes have found that dairy causes inflammation that in turn elongates their recovery times. Research indicates that dairy has been linked to inflammation, which slows muscle recovery time and prevents lactose buildup from clearing, leaving you sore and fatigued longer. So athletes worried about recovery times or injury prevention and repair should stay away from dairy for performance purposes. It’s not only those who are lactose intolerant for dairy to cause bloating, digestive issues, and general inflammation since it can happen at a cellular level.

Athletes – or anyone involved in physical activity – should consider ditching dairy to avoid performance-related inflammation or pain from sports injuries. The sugars in lactose have been proven to lead to higher levels of inflammation that affect muscle and joint repair time.

The inflammation from dairy consumption can linger during the days and weeks following intense activity. Inflammation constricts blood flow, meaning that muscles and joints take longer to recover and repair. Delayed recovery can be dangerous for any level of athletes, weekend warriors, and pros alike, putting excess strain on already damaged muscles.

“Dairy is an inflammatory food, and athletes are constantly fighting inflammation to repair broken-down muscles and get back to training,” explains Olympic cyclist and medalist Dotsie Bausch who noticed her recovery times shortened when she abandoned dairy. “If you’re inflamed, you’re not at your best, and until you ditch dairy, you don’t know your true limit.”

Dairy consumption has been linked to higher BMI

Recent studies have linked dairy consumption to increased BMI and one study linked habitual dairy consumption to higher levels of obesity. Specifically, several studies have linked lactose and dairy product as a factor in higher BMI.

“Dairy has been linked to several preventable conditions,” Dr. Giuseppe Aragona, MD, at Prescription Doctor explains. “Cows milk, especially whole fat milk, contains trans and saturated fats, which have been linked to heart disease and obesity. Over time, if you drink milk a lot, it can clog arteries and lead to these complications.”

Dairy raises your heart disease risk

Study after study has linked saturated fat in animal products such as meat and dairy to higher levels of LDL (or bad) cholesterol in the body, which can lead to blockages in the arteries, drive up blood pressure, leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, strokes, and heart attacks. Doctors have warned patients at risk for heart disease, or who already have it, that they should avoid all saturated fat in their diet, which amounts to giving up red meat and dairy, especially creamy cheese.

Since 48 percent of Americans currently have been diagnosed with some form of heart disease and the rest of us probably have it and don’t know it yet, the best course of action is to simply stay away from dairy and red meat. A reduction in intake of saturated fat has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease by 21 percent, a large drop, according to doctors. The latest study, released this year, looked at data from 59,000 study participants and when they were educated to reduce sat fat in their diets, they lowered their heart disease risk significantly and the results appeared linked to both lowering the saturated fat and replacing them with healthier fats, from nuts, seeds and cooking oils that are plant-based and heart healthier.

Dairy is linked to certain types of cancer

For decades, the dairy industry has been under fire for its direct link to increased levels of certain cancers, especially hormonally linked cancers such as breast and prostate. Several experts have warned that the level of estrogen found in milk products could increase this risk, since lactating cows are given estrogen to keep up milk production.

One study found that men who drank two or more glasses of milk a day had a 60 percent increased risk of advanced prostate cancer. The direct link between cancer cells and dairy products cannot be ignored and can act as a key motivator to quitting dairy or at the very least, beginning to reduce dairy consumption.

A study from the International Journal of Epidemiology concluded that women who drank as little as two glasses of conventional cow’s milk increased their risk of breast cancer significantly. This risk could be avoided and also reversed by choosing plant-based alternatives and dieting, the study found.

“Consuming as little as one-quarter to one-third cup of dairy milk per day was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer of 30 percent,” lead researcher Gary E. Fraser, Ph.D., of Loma Linda University explained. “By drinking up to one cup per day, the associated risk went up to 50 percent, and for those drinking two to three cups per day, the risk increased further to 70 to 80 percent.”

Cancer expert and dietician at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Lee Crosby,  explains that a diet with high amounts of full-fat dairy presents more risk because of the saturated fat content in the animal products. The saturated fat content, the sugars in lactose, and the higher level of hormones can a serious concern regarding the development of cancer cells within the body. This can be avoided by adopting plant-based alternatives to traditional dairy products. Fiber and even soy products have been shown to be protective against breast cancer, she adds.

Dairy’s impact on the environment

Beyond its health risks, dairy production presents a significant danger to the environment. The methodology of factor farming used in American today has been shown to contribute to the worsening climate crisis and global warming. This became extremely apparent earlier this year with the UN’s IPCC released a “code red” statement that warned about the meat and dairy industry’s dangerous impacts on the environment.

The plant-based milk industry is making strides to produce milk alternatives that are better for planetary health. Even while some plant-based milk, such as almond milk requires vast amounts of water to produce, a recent study found that a serving of dairy milk is responsible for nearly three times more greenhouse gas emissions than a serving of non-dairy milk.

The mounting environmental concerns have become a key motivator for consumers to abandon animal products. A study from food and beverage company Mattson found that the number of consumers making decisions about food choices for the sake of the environment has increased from 17 percent in 2018 to 48 percent in 2020.

In the wake of environmental disasters such as raging wildfires and droughts in the western United States, floods in Europe, and the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, making food choices that are more sustainable and healthy is at the forefront of the conversation. Plant-based eating significantly reduces your personal carbon footprint. Cutting dairy consumption is directly linked to reducing methane emissions.

The USDA released a report that found that methane comprises 36 percent of greenhouse gases produced in the entire agriculture industry. By reducing methane emissions linked to raising cows and other livestock, consumers can personally combat climate change and lower their individual contribution to the intensifying climate crisis.

“The number one reason to quit dairy is to save the environment as intensive livestock farming is simply not a sustainable practice as evidenced in the movie Cowspiracy,” Dr. Lina Velikova, MD, Ph.D., medical advisor at Supplements101 said. “Greenhouse emissions from operations that produce dairy and red meat account for almost a third of all carbon pollution on the planet.”

How to Go Dairy Free

You can get nutrients from plant-based sources

The most daunting thought when removing dairy from your diet is the question of whether you will get enough calcium. Traditionally, dairy milk is championed as the single source of calcium in the American diet, but your bone health will be protected by eating calcium-rich fruits and vegetables.

“With careful planning, attention, and [possibly] supplementation, you can absolutely meet your calcium needs on a strict vegan or vegetarian diet,” according to Maya Feller, RD. “You can actually meet your needs if you have a balanced diet that is close to the dietary guidelines.”

If you are concerned about calcium consumption, simply eat more of the top 10 calcium-rich foods that are plant-based and heart-healthy, such as almonds and protein alternatives such as tofu and tempeh, which all contain a significant amount of calcium. Leafy greens such as kale, collards, bok choy, and turnip greens are all high in calcium.

5 Easy Steps to Replace Dairy

  1. There’s never been so many non-dairy milks or creamers to choose from. Although it may feel daunting at first to find a replacement, plant-based milk companies are releasing new variations nearly every week. From popular substitutes like Oatly to upcoming creamers like Ripple, and classics like Elmhurst, there are plenty of options in the refrigerator case. Check out The Beet’s top non-dairy creamers.
  2. Try one of the many new plant-based cheeses. Over recent years, several companies such as Violife, Daiya, Follow Your Heart, Chao, Treeline and more have developed plant-based cheeses that taste and melt better than ever before. Here is The Beet’s list of the top shredded cheeses on the market.
  3. Add extra protein to your diet with legumes, nuts, and seeds. Many consumers fear that without milk, they are robbing themselves of certain nutrients, especially protein. But by removing dairy from your diet you likely are getting enough protein from all the other foods you eat. Many plant-based milk products are protein-rich, and there are great sources of protein on a plant-based diet, from tofu to legumes to nuts and seeds, so you never have to feel cheated.
  4. Check the labels. One of the hardest obstacles to overcome when cutting out dairy is making sure that it doesn’t sneak into other products. Many products use minimal dairy so it is important to check the ingredient or the listed allergens to avoid dairy the next time you visit the grocery store.
  5. Try new Recipes. There is no better way to understand how easy it is to reduce dairy than actually trying to. Add dairy-free milk to a recipe that you love or experiment with plant-based cheeses. Or even try to make your very own cashew or coconut-based dairy substitutes at home.

Here Are Some Dairy-Free Recipes to Get Started

Dairy-Free Snacks

Dairy- Free Breakfast

Dairy-Free Lunch

Dairy-Free Dinner

Dairy-Free Dessert

Choosing the healthiest, best plant-based milks, creamers, pizzas, and more

When it comes time to choose the right non-dairy products for you, check out The Beet Meters where we rate and recommend products based on 10 health criteria and 10 part taste attributes, so that you can find the one that fits your lifestyle and taste preferences best.

The 5 Best Non-Dairy Cream Cheeses

7 Best Plant-Based Vegan Milks That Don’t Contain Any Oil

The 12 Best Non-Dairy Coffee Creamers

The 8 Best Non-Dairy Frozen Pizzas to Try Today

For more products and recommendations check out all the Beet Meters here.

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