October 1st is National Vegetarian Day, a day that recognizes that more and more people are leaving meat behind and turning to a more plant-based approach. The difference between a plant-based or vegan diet and a vegetarian approach is that vegans avoid all animal products, including dairy products, while vegetarians have avoided meat but continue to eat dairy products, including cheese and eggs.
But what many vegetarians don’t realize is that there are delicious plant-based cheeses (made from cashews, almonds, and other ingredients) and convincing egg substitutes (including chia seeds). However you choose a plant-based diet, one thing is certain: the more plants you eat, the healthier you will be.
A plant-based diet can reduce inflammation, lower the risk of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers, and strengthen your immune system thanks to plant-based foods that are naturally rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.
A cheese-free diet is healthier and can help prevent disease
Dr. Neil Barnard, who wrote the book Your Body in Balance, told The Beet in an exclusive interview that consuming too much dairy products can cause all sorts of health problems, including hormonal cancers like breast and prostate cancer, and mood disorders. Fertility problems and more.
“Adding even small amounts of estrogen to your body increases the risk of hormone-related cancers such as breast, uterine and prostate cancer,” said Barnard, The Beet’s editor-in-chief, Lucy Danziger. “Milk contains estrogen too, but cheese is more condensed. Worst culprit? Goat cheese has more of it. All animal cheeses are loaded with fat and hormones that add up,” he added.
3 dairy-free recipes we know you will love
To celebrate a plant-centric national holiday, we’ve rounded up our three most popular cheese-free cheese recipes, made with either cashew, nutritional yeast, Brazil nuts, and carrots, or a mix of everything for the ultimate sticky, cheesy experience to help you live healthier, and go even the extra step of going completely herbal if this is right for you.
Find your favorite recipe or create your own on this national day. If you’d prefer not to make your own vegan cheese, we ran a grilled cheese stretch test on five different store-bought dairy-free cheeses and then rated which cheese melted the best.
1. Grilled spinach cheese with homemade vegan cashew cheese
The “cheese” in this sandwich is based on cashew nuts, but the key ingredient for the perfect texture is tapioca starch, also known as tapioca flour, says JD Raymundo, recipe developer at The Beet and founder of The Little Almond. which will help you achieve that cheesy stretch. Note that this cannot replace any other starch like corn starch. “
2. Vegan Mac and Cheese for the stove
“This dairy-free macaroni and cheese recipe is simple, economical, and uses everyday ingredients,” says Head Chef Linda Soper-Kolton, author of Compassionate Cuisine. Our approach is deceptively delicious. Carrots, potatoes and chickpeas are mixed to a silky smooth perfection and, together with a few additional ingredients, make a sauce that is undeniably cheesy. “
3. Mini oreo cheesecake cupcakes
We saved the cutest recipe for last. This “cheesecake” recipe consists of non-dairy cream cheese (Violife is a good one, but there are plenty of plant-based cream cheeses to choose from), coconut cream, and coconut oil, which creates the same consistency as regular cheesecake, which is usually made with a softer cheese like brie.
For more great ideas for plant-based cheeses, butter spreads, milk and coffee creamers, and other delicious healthy milk substitutes, head to The Beet Meters, where you can find taste and health reviews and add your own!
