I’m allergic to milk as a whole. If I eat any milk byproduct (whey, casein, lactose, etc.) I get sick. Many foods that say “dairy free” or “non-dairy” are really “lactose free.” As in they don’t contain lactose but still may contain other milk ingredients like casein. For the purpose of this list I will only be featuring products that are 100% dairy free.
Also, before I get into my top ten list, I have to give you the bad news. The thing that makes cheese cheesy (that gooey and stretchy texture we identify with cheese) is casein (a byproduct of milk). Because of this fact, there are no 100% cheese alternatives that I can recommend. I’ve tried many products over the years and none of them even vaguely resemble cheese. Some of them come close on taste but they always fall short when it comes to texture.
And now, my top ten list of 100% dairy free products that I eagerly recommend:
#10. Nucoa Margerine – The down side to Nucoa is that it contains the dreaded trans-fat. But, when it comes to replacing butter, Nucoa is the only 100% dairy free margarine that I recommend. You can purchase it at most grocery stores. It’s got a great creamy and salty texture. And, unlike some margarines that burn easily, Nucoa stands up to use as an ingredient in cooking.
#9. Whole Soy Yogurt – The problem with all the soy yogurts I’ve tried is that they get a little runny at room temperature. Whole Soy suffers from this problem but, long as you keep it cold, it beats all the other soy yogurts I’ve tried on taste.
#8. Haagen Dazs Tropical Fat Free Sorbet – The problem with a dairy free diet is often about a lack of variety. You get allot of basic flavors but not many complex flavors. I like this sorbet because it’s a blend of fruits. But, even separate from the unique flavor of this sorbet, its a well-balanced blend of tropical fruits.
#7. Silk Soymilk – If your looking for something to replace milk in your cereal and cooking, Silk is the way to go. The brand also offers some great flavors like chocolate milk and coffee. And, during the holidays, I always keep an eye out for the yummy silk nog flavor.
#6. Mocha Mix Non-dairy Creamer – If your looking for something to replace the cream in your coffee or baking, Mocha Mix is the way to go. Mocha Mix is a little creamier and heavier than Silk Soymilk. Mocha mix also has some great coffee creamer flavors.
#5. Chocolate Peppermint Stick Luna Bar – In general I recommend Luna bars to my friends. I think it’s a great brand that produces yummy energy bars. In particular I recommend this flavor of Luna Bar. Some Luna Bar flavors aren’t sweet enough and the texture can be a bit grainy. But this flavor of Luna Bar is near perfection. It’s as close to a dairy/wheat free granola bar or candy bar as I’m likely to get.
#4. Soy Dream Butter Pecan Non-dairy Ice Cream – You’ve probably noticed that I recommend a lot of soy based products. I’ve found that the texture of soy best replicates the texture of milk. Most soy ice creams are passable when it comes to texture. The problem usually comes when talking about flavor. Soy Dream’s Butter Pecan has a great buttery flavor and a nearly perfect ratio of candied pecans.
#3. Purely Decadent Cookie Dough Non-dairy Ice Cream – This is currently one of my favorites. Partly because it contains gluten free chunks of cookie dough but also because of the flavor. I’ve really come to love this ice cream because the flavor is less heavy handed than many other soy ice creams I’ve tried. The vanilla ice cream is a really light and well compliments the chocolate flakes. Topped off by hidden chunks of cookie dough.
#2. Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese – Of all the things that made living life without milk easier the Tofutti brand is at the top of the list. I have yet to try a product by them that I don’t like. I think the reason their products taste so yummy is because they’re a kosher company, not a healthy food company. This cream cheese replacement is creamy and has a texture that I swear is as close to actual cream cheese.
#1. Tofutti Sour Supreme – When making onion dip for a party no one can tell the difference when I use Tofutti Sour Supreme as compared to regular sour cream. When I want to make a creamy noodle dish, I go straight for the Tofutti Sour Supreme. Unlike many of the products I recommend on this list, Tofutti Sour Supreme isn’t something I eat on it’s own. It’s something that I add to dishes. This is my #1 favorite non-dairy item because it practically doubles the amount of recipes I can cook.
