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Dreams + Coffee

North Carolina Healthy Living + Style Blogger

The Best Dairy-Free Swaps

June 17, 2020 Comments : 4

I️f you’ve been following my blog for awhile, you probably know I️ have been Paleo and dairy-free for over 3 years now. I️ will occasionally have foods with gluten (it’s hard to pass up French bread, right?!), but I️ avoid dairy entirely. I️ cut both out and went Paleo when I️ was nursing my second baby because she was having lots of reflux issues. Since it seemed to help, I️ continued it and by the time I️ stopped nursing, I️ was so comfortable avoiding dairy and gluten that I️ had no reason to start eating either of those again.

I️ also admit that on the occasions where I️’ve eaten small amounts of dairy or gluten since then, my body doesn’t tolerate it well and I️ feel very lethargic for several days afterward. I️ decided it simply wasn’t worth it to me, so now if I️ crave something in particular, I️ opt for a dairy- or gluten-free alternative. I️ wanted to share some of my current favorite dairy-free swaps, since I️ have had quite a few people ask me for suggestions!

My Favorite Dairy-Free Swaps

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Use EARTH BALANCE instead of butter.

My Favorite Dairy-Free Swaps

While small amounts of butter don’t seem to bother me, I️ try to avoid it as much as possible. Instead, we use Earth Balance spread in its place. I️t honestly tastes the same and seems to do the job just as well. I️ have not used it in place of butter in things like chocolate chip cookies, etc. that require baking, so I️ can’t speak to its performance with that type of thing. But for cooking purposes and other no-bake items, like Rice Krispie Treats, it does a great job.

Use ALMOND MILK instead of dairy milk.

My Favorite Dairy-Free Swaps

We used almond milk long before I️ went dairy-free, but it’s become a permanent staple in our refrigerator these days. We use it for anything that calls for milk, even the girls’ macaroni and cheese. If you need *buttermilk* for a recipe (like pancakes), try this ratio: 1 cup of almond milk to 1 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar. Mix the two in a bowl and let sit for 5-10 minutes before incorporating into your recipe.

A runner-up dairy-free swap, in my opinion, is cashew milk – it’s very creamy and works well in recipes.

Use ALMOND OR OAT CREAMER instead of dairy creamer.

My Favorite Dairy-Free Swaps

We’ve also been using non-dairy creamer for several years – even my husband converted over! We both decided we liked the taste of the almond milk creamer (Silk Vanilla Almond Creamer is our favorite) and it froths pretty well. Recently, I️ tried Silk Oatmilk Creamer (Oatmeal Cookie flavor) and I️’ve been hooked on it. Keep in mind that all creamer has sugar, so even dairy-free creamer isn’t the BEST possible option. If you’re looking for something even healthier, try Nutpods! I️ like these too, but admit that I️ like a little sweetness in my coffee most of the time.

Use DAIRY-FREE CHEESE instead of regular cheese.

My Favorite Dairy-Free Swaps

Coming from someone who used to put cheese on everything, I️’m amazed by how well I️ transitioned to dairy-free cheese! I️’ve tried so many different ones and I️ will eat any of them, but I️ definitely have my preferences. I️ think Daiya brand is my favorite and it melts well (so it’s great for pizza or anything baked), but I️ also don’t mind Trader Joe’s Almond or Cashew Cheese Shreds. If I️ had to choose my least favorite, it would be Follow Your Heart brand – it has very little flavor and doesn’t melt…at all.

USE PALEO SALAD DRESSINGS instead of regular dressings.

My Favorite Dairy-Free Swaps

I️’ve found it so easy to find delicious salad dressing alternatives these days, with so many brands hopping on board the Paleo/Whole30 train. Some of my favorite brands are Hilary’s, Primal Kitchen and Tessemae’s. I️ also like using balsamic vinegar and olive oil and Trader Joe’s Balsamic Vinaigrette or Green Goddess Salad Dressing.

Other Favorite Dairy-Free Swaps

My Favorite Dairy-Free Swaps
  • Dairy-Free Cream Cheese
  • Coconut Cream Whipped Topping
  • Vegan Queso
  • Nutritional Yeast (replaces cheese)
  • Canned Coconut Milk (great in recipes)
  • Coconut or Cashew Milk Ice Cream
  • Coconut or Almond Milk Yogurt
  • Vegan Protein Powder (I️ like Orgain)
  • Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips

I️’ve had quite a few people say they think going dairy-free will be too hard, but honestly, it gets easier after a few weeks. Plus, there are so many great dairy-free swaps these days that it’s easier than ever to make the switch!

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4 Comments Categories: Food

Comments

  1. Tiffany says

    June 17, 2020 at 9:39 am

    This post was literally made for me. I have been complaining for over a week that my stomach just doesn’t feel right and told my husband and son I think it might have something to do with the dairy I’ve been eating. I actually have been trying to cut out dairy this week but haven’t done such a good job of it. This list is so helpful right! Will definitely be trying some of your recommendations soon. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Brittany says

      June 17, 2020 at 2:27 pm

      Awww I️’m so sorry to hear you’ve been having issues! But, fortunately, there are some amazing dairy-free products out there now that help ease the transition! Hope you are on the mend soon! <3

      Reply
  2. Holley says

    June 17, 2020 at 1:39 pm

    I had no idea there were so many options when it came to dairy-free items! This is a great resource especially for mamas like you that decide to cut dairy. Love it! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Brittany says

      June 17, 2020 at 2:26 pm

      Things have really come a long way with dairy-free foods! Especially in terms of flavor 🙂 It certainly makes it easier!

      Reply

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About Me

Hi y'all! I'm Brittany, a wife, mama to three little ladies and the creator behind Dreams + Coffee, a North Carolina lifestyle blog. Grab a cup of coffee and catch up on my latest family, food, health and lifestyle posts.

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