• About Me
    • Brand Work
    • Portfolio/CV
  • Family
  • Food
  • Health & Beauty
  • Home
  • Style
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
    • Shop My Amazon Picks
    • Shop My Instagram

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

This post contains affiliate links

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!

Wednesday Link Party

Welcome to the Wednesday Link Party! Meet your hosts:
Jaclyn from Coffee, Pancakes, and Dreams
Brittany from Dreams and Coffee
Mary Leigh from Live Well Play Together
Tiffany from Lake Life State of Mind
Lindsay from Lindsay’s Sweet World
Keri from Cultivate an Intentional Life

Holly from Simply Holley Marie

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
brittany worrell boyce

Related Posts

  • How I Survived Going Dairy-Free

    If you had told me a several years ago that I would no longer be…

  • The Best Edible Cookie Dough | High Protein, Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free

    I don't know about you guys, but I enjoy eating cookie dough more than actual…

  • Sausage + Cauliflower Gnocchi Skillet | Dairy-Free + Gluten-Free

    I promised you guys I'd share my recipe for one of my favorite go-to quick…

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

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

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.

read more
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Categories

Search

Follow
BrandBacker Member

Subscribe

Follow My Instagram

brittanywboyce

Wife | Girl mama | Pure Barre & Peloton obsessed | Dairy + gluten free | Freelance writer | Owner @somethingbleuclt | CLT | Order GS Cookies ⬇️

Brittany | Mom Life + Style
These beauties went camping at the @schielemuseum These beauties went camping at the @schielemuseum with Troop 2997 last night ⛺️ Proud of them for being brave because when I was their age, you couldn’t catch me sleeping away from home…ever 🤣
Finally took the girls back to our favorite place Finally took the girls back to our favorite place in Virginia — @colonialwmsburg ❤️ We loved it so much, we even took our engagement photos here back in 2011 😉
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Prolon Day 3 | The day started off really good — Prolon Day 3 | The day started off really good — I felt very clear-minded and awake this AM 🥳 Truly, I was nervous because today was a very low-cal day and I wasn’t sure how I’d feel 😅 I did grab a plain iced espresso because my energy was depleting super quickly and that def helped 👌🏼 After lunch, though, I started to hate depriving myself of real food and disliked that I couldn’t push myself in my workouts like I usually do 😒 After dealing with three kids who clearly woke up on the wrong side of the bed 😆, slicing my hand open with a knife and being cranky and irritable because I’ve been hangry for 3 days, I caved. And sorry, not sorry ✌🏼 I just wanted a dang salad and some protein so I can lift heavy things 💪🏼 Moral of the story, listen to your body and what it needs. And maybe try a 1-2 day cleanse/fast because that’s about all mine could handle 🤪
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
@prolonfmd Day Two | Overall an easier day than ye @prolonfmd Day Two | Overall an easier day than yesterday 👌🏼 Time went by faster and I didn’t have any nausea from being hungry…I looked forward to and savored all of today’s meals — the black bean soup for dinner was actually really good (esp with a little cumin + paprika!) 🙌🏼 I did @pure_barre this AM and then a @onepeloton walk this afternoon…keeping it light because of how little I’m consuming this week 😅 Not gonna lie, nervous for day 3 because it’s the lightest day of food and I’m already pretty hangry in general 🤣 Interestingly, I’ve felt pretty amazing today other than just craving a real meal 👌🏼 Btw, was so hungry for dinner that I forgot to share it in the reel 🤦🏼‍♀️
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
@prolonfmd Day One | The struggle is real 😅 I’ve done cleanses in the past so I’m no stranger to this…but coming off a few weeks of holiday drinks and some indulgences, today was no easy feat 🤣 My energy definitely ebbed and flowed throughout the day, and felt weak and nauseated every now and then from lack of calories and protein 🙈 It was the longest day ever, but I cleaned, vacuumed, mopped and then did a @onepeloton walk & yoga class and still had time left over (side note, why doesn’t every day feel this long?! 😆). Actually feeling good this evening after having a sparkling water ‘mocktail’, energized and clear-minded 👌🏼
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2022 — what a year ✨ It challenged me in so ma 2022 — what a year ✨ It challenged me in so many ways, but I also thrived in many ways. Continuing to grow a business with a husband, three kids, a dog and two cats is not a simple feat but here we are 😏 We adventured a LOT this year - from Girl Scout adventures to family vacations to HHI, the mountains, OBX and more, we had plenty of fun and made lots of memories 😘 The best part of this year was just really allowing myself to live in the moment and not allow stress to overtake me as I’ve allowed it in the past 😅 I also rediscovered my love of running thanks to my @onepeloton Tread and hit big goals at @purebarre_highlandcreek 💪🏼 Here’s to living more in the present, accomplishing bigger goals and dreams and having an amazing 2023 🥂
A little post-Christmas ice skating @birkdalevilla A little post-Christmas ice skating @birkdalevillagenc ❄️❄️❄️
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Merry Christmas, friends🎄🎄🎄 Merry Christmas, friends🎄🎄🎄
Load More... Follow Me on Insta
Design by SkyandStars.co
Back Top

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.