Avoiding Dairy is so easy nowadays.

[hells_bells2207]

I started writing @CBDB a reply & then I recalled how many people have mentioned that dairy is exacerbating their conditions, gout, asthma, eczema & so on. I wanted to hilight the dairy free / vegan cheeses that are now available. My favourite food (lifelong!) has been cheese; I thought I'd never be able to give that up, but I have (many years ago) & do not miss dairy cheese one jot. Most people do not know cheese is addictive; the Caesin in it, triggers the brain's opiod receptors. This is why its hard to give up most & just have a bit; the receptors come back into play. If serious about it, it has to be given up completely.

In my personal experience, I share with you my recommendations. There are ones like camembert & brie that are delicious for using as is or as a baked Camembert. There are some varieties in the supermarkets, but unless you are in a huge superstore, there is not much choice. However, it is now better & easier than it has ever been as, the vegan community increases. New products are coming out daily.

I'd suggest looking them up on line and maybe trying some:

** Honestly Tasty (delicious Bree (brie), Herbi (Boursin), Blue, Ched & Sham (camembert).

** Tyne Cheese lovely & they do a taster/ selection box of little tiny ones (about 10 x little 20g rounds); this is superb & I buy when family come together.

** Bute Foods do Sheese in about 25 different tastes.

** Follow Your Heart do a lot (Greek Crumbles are identical to Feta & they do Italian ones, including grated & also shredded Parmesan like. FYH also do delicious mayo's in different tastes).

** Green Vie (lots including Mozzarella).

** Nuriish (the best for baked camembert). I bought it at Christmas in Sainsburys; the vegans, the vegetarian & the carnivores ALL loved it!

** Makers we all know of, now do dairy free; ie Philadelphia (delicious & creamy), Baby Bell, Applewood, Mexicana & many more.

To see a huge variety in one place go to The Vegan Supermarket on line, type in cheese & see how many there are (100's). There truly is no need for you to have symptoms; you'll not need dairy. Also Naturli is a delicious butter (block & spreadable), also Flora butter (block salted & non). Both available in Supermarkets. Dairy free milk is also delicious and there are so many now; it is worth trying different ones (chiller section & longer life ones in UHT milk aisle), oat milk being my favourite of the day for now!

I hope this is helpful to some, please ask any questions at all (this thread or DM). CBDB

[CBDB Graduate]

That is so useful, as we only get the vegan cheese that is in our usual supermarkets.

(We do use all sorts of nut milks, so I’m not missing milk although I used to think I couldn’t live without it. So if I can get to the same point with cheese, that would be awesome!)

Would you be able to give the link to “The Vegan Supermarket” . There seem to be a few, but all with slightly different names.

Thank you so much!!!!!!

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to CBDB]

I’m likely leaving this site, so drop me your email or mobile number & I can mail or WhatsApp any help or if you’d like to keep in touch .This s the 2nd thing that has really upset me since I joined & twice in a couple or three months is a lot. H x

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Avoiding vegan alternatives is a lot cheaper of course.

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I was trying to help all those that suffer with dairy but said they can’t give up cheese.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to hells_bells2207]

That’s probably not many of us. I disagree that vegan alternatives are vegan if they mimic the taste of the dairy option they are still dependent on the dairy industry and so farming. I am also concerned that these things are ultra processed foods, and so probably worse for us than the processed alternatives. I’ve been vegetarian for 34 years now, and I often cook vegan, but always from scratch.

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Same here in many ways; I’m lifelong vegetarian & vegan ages!!I cook from scratch but I was aiming it at the list of people who are suffering a symptom/ exacerbating an illness by eating dairy, but all said ‘can’t give up cheese’!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to hells_bells2207]

I’m sure it’s not easy… but some of the articles said it was as addictive as heroin/crack which it isn’t. With cheese the only thing I’d say is while fighting a mild addiction to an opioid you are also fighting the dopamine (and possibly seratonin too as cheese contains bacteria) so it’s certainly harder than other food addictions to defeat. Food addiction in general while not being as strong as nicotine (for example) and so easier to defeat initially, staying “clean” is more difficult as it’s harder (probably impossible with supermarkets) to avoid being around your former vice.

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

As a nurse , I’d say it is not as addictive as heroin (I agree some studies say it is)!Also agree, it is harder than all other foodstuffs (casein, dopamine & more).

Agreement of all you’ve said.

[CBDB Graduate in reply to hells_bells2207]

Thanks to both of you. I found the information from the discussion really useful, as I navigate my way through my health journey. Understanding the different options is a big part of it. So i appreciate posts like these, and the discussions around it.🙏👍🏽

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to CBDB]

Thank you so very much, I am so grateful. That means a lot.

[DylanTheRabbit Graduate]

Thanks, I'll take a look at these. I used naturlii to make vegan brandy butter and bread sauce at Christmas and it worked well. I usually just go for oil and salt on my bread though. Some other dairy free sort of creamy/cheesy/tangy options are tahini with marmite (for toast), tahini and miso dressing with a little lemon juice or vinegar for bite and if you have a Chinese supermarket in your area- jars of fermented tofu are creamy and funky/cheesy, a little in cooked greens is lovely or I like it on toast with avocado (I think the red stuff is for cooking only and the white stuff can be used as a condiment).

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to DylanTheRabbit]

Exactly!All of the above are great.

One can make cashew butter also; delicious!

So much can be made, but initially I find people changing their diet want to buy the substitute .

[CBDB Graduate in reply to hells_bells2207]

We use cashews and marmite to make Parmesan, and that works great. ( I just can’t have bread either, and am still trying to make (to me) acceptable bread. As a German, that’s hard, but I replace it now often with Nairn GF biscuits, which are great!)

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to CBDB]

I use cashews to make a lot & I'm addicted to Marmite (and a collector; that’s another story!) & loved Parmesan !Please could you DM recipe to me?

Thank you x

Photo of the marmite collection, well most of it 🤣!

[CBDB Graduate in reply to hells_bells2207]

Wowsa! That’s some marmite collection you have there! Brilliant! 🤣🤣🤣

Recipe for Parmesan

100g cashew nuts

10g marmite

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 garlic powder

Mix pulse until fine consistency.

Enjoy! Very fitting with your collection! 🙌👍🏽😍

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to CBDB]

Thank you for the recipe.

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate]

I'm 100% with you on casein and the addictive nature of cheese. Have you joined the vegan community on HU?

I do believe that there are some who feel this discussion is not really running related. I appreciate why it came about however 👍🏻

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you fro that, especially as I have regretted writing it; that took ages, is unliked by some & I’ve had a little telling off for putting links on & asked if I’m affiliated. Regretting ++I’m not on the HU one, but right now feeling very fed up & upset with this whole site because of this.

[SueAppleRun Graduate in reply to hells_bells2207]

Don’t leave because of one post. the information may be helpful for someone who runs, I once got very excited about speed and posted on C25K without thinking that speed is not what the programme was aiming for, I was reminded politely that it’s not a good idea to post that there, i felt quite upset at the time and removed post, since then I only ever write about speed/pace on Bridge to 10k and my speed is snail pace anyway I’ve learned a lot through the running community here and been given good advice that i wouldn’t have if i’d closed my account over one not so helpful post. If you do decide to go good luck and if you stay we’ll cheer you on when you tell us how the runnings going

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you @WillowandSola, I’ve had a few ‘polite reminders’ & yes, like you took them very personally & was very upset.. (I do admit to being incredibly sensitive & I’m quite emotional).I felt as it’s a few times in only a few months, it wasn’t t worth staying.

Nb: I’ve not had this on any other forum / group/ social media ever.

As I’m now too anxious to post anything, this is why I concluded I probably should leave.

Thank you for your support.

[roseabi in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

I recognise that the odd off-topic post adds flavour to the community so I am not against it if it is infrequent and is helping someone.

I do object to the suggestion that I am causing insult and injury (NB to a nurse - a low blow!!) when I was merely trying to prevent some of her comments from being picked up by spam bots. You may notice that the post itself is still in place.

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to roseabi]

Hi roseabi I’ve replied in DM & apologised if I hurt you; there was certainly no intention.

But, just as SueAppleRun said above, when we “are reminded politely” about our posts (that took ages to write & sometimes guts to post ) we can take it very personally & be very upset.

That was all.

Last thing, I do not understand what this means: “NB to a nurse - a low blow!!”

Take care.

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to hells_bells2207]

Thank you for your understanding & very kind DM. As far as I am concerned, we’ve sorted & settled all the little differences in posts & both were very sincere when apologising & explaining.

All sorted!

Take care,

H x

[roseabi in reply to hells_bells2207]

Thank YOU! It's been instructive for me, and a real pleasure talking to you xxx

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

Thanks for the links been trying to go more plant based but cheese is toooooo delicious so will definitely try some of these 😋

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to Wavy-chick28]

I’m glad it was interesting If you need any links for that Co & money off, DM me

Take care

H

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

I should’ve read this whole feed lol drama in the cheese 😋 found this interesting, yes forum is about running but also about health ok I’m off lol no cheese ……..

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to Wavy-chick28]

All sorted now, everyone is happy 😃. Don’t give up if you don’t like first or second one. Try different makes & different flavours; some you’ll like & some not I expect.

If you like baked Camembert (can poke in rosemary & garlic cloves), the Nuurish blue one is delicious; it’s in the original post.

[clarys Graduate]

Thank you so much for this info - but is there a reason why Violife isn't on your list? The Le Rond Camembert is just gorgeous and available in the supermarket beginning with S (don't want to do too much advertising). And the smoked flavour. I was never a cheese eater before becoming vegan so never missed, it but always seem to have a few non-dairy cheeses stashed away in the fridge these days. When people take up a form of exercise, it can lead to an overall healthier way of life, and diet is a major part of this.

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to clarys]

Thank you for your message. Indeed, I totally agree regarding people often looking at their dietary ways after taking up exercise.

There was no reason at all for leaving Violife off.

I guess the only possible thought was that it is in just about all supermarkets & pretty well known. I guess I was trying to help people with all the others available (so many makes & varieties) for those that feel like they are missing out!

Thank you for your reassurance!

[Yesletsgo Administrator Graduate]

Hi hells_bells2207 thanks for the helpful post. I'm not veggie or vegan but I know people who are so it's very useful to have a list like this.Just thought I'd mention nutritional yeast here. I bought some because I had to cook vegan for someone and was absolutely astonished how delicious it is. I've taken to using it as a substitute for parmesan in sauces, cheeses etc, I can't believe it's taken me so long to discover such a useful ingredient.

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Yes, Nutrition Yeast is excellent. It is very good for you & tastes cheesy in the sauce when used to substitute cheese, eg macaroni cheese, cauliflower cheese.

[Bluefly Graduate]

Don't leave! Diet is really relevant on an exercise related forum. I don't eat dairy either, although luckily never much liked cheese anyway. Possibly because I spent my Saturdays as a teenager on the local indoor market cheese stall, put me off for life!

[hells_bells2207 Graduate in reply to Bluefly]

Thank you for your very thoughtful message. I’m sure that’s why you are not a cheese lover!