Full-fat dairy options can be an excellent source of protein, calcium, and other nutrients, but for a lot of us, the benefits don’t outweigh the drawbacks. What kind of dairy drawbacks are we talking about exactly? Think skin breakouts, inflammation, gas, bloating, and other uncomfortable symptoms of lactose intolerance (lactose is a sugar found in dairy that is hard for many humans to digest properly). So, if you’re hoping to enjoy a dairy treat every now and then without having to deal with the actual dairy, you may want to look into some alternative dairy-free products that still taste great.
You May Also Like: I’m a Vegan. Should I Fuel My Body Differently When Working Out?
5 Top-Rated Dairy-Free Products to Buy
1. Dairy-free ice cream.
Of all the dairy items people seem to love the most, ice cream usually tops the list. You can make your own dairy-free versions if you’re feeling adventurous (check out this recipe), or try some of our favorite “d-free” brands including So Delicious and Halo Top (with flavors like chocolate covered banana, caramel macchiato, and birthday cake!).
2. Nutpods dairy-free creamer.
This Whole30 approved creamer (made from almond and coconut milk) tastes fantastic, is “deliciously creamy” and unsweetened, and comes in tons of different flavors. We’re already excited about the pumpkin spice flavor coming soon!
3. Dairy-free Parmesan by Angel Food.
Vegan cheese might sound a bit questionable to some people, but the folks at Huffington Post recently shared their reviews of some top-rated dairy-free cheeses. Earning their praises was the Parmesan from the New Zealand company Angel Food. A great hint of dairy-free flavor for pasta, soups, salads, asparagus, and so on.
4. Turmeric Superfood Creamer by Laird Superfood.
We’re adding another dairy-free creamer option into the mix because we find this product to be pretty unique. Rich and smooth, the Turmeric Superfood Creamer is dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy free, plus offers you all the health benefits of the turmeric root (which includes antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties).
5. Ghee.
Ghee, otherwise known as clarified butter, offers all the nutty taste of butter (along with the high heat tolerance for cooking) without the nefarious lactose. You can make this Paleo-friendly treat at home yourself in a fairly simple step-by-step process, or buy some online or at most major grocery stores (we like Organic Valley and Bulletproof brands).
Got some other dairy-free faves of your own? Let us know about it in the comments below!