Something awful has happened (lighthearted) (ish)

[OhNoWhereDidTheChocolateGo]

I have made a terrible discovery. After my newborn having suspected allergies to cows milk protein I went dairy free whilst breastfeeding to figure it out - made a world of difference to their symptoms so, hooray for that. It was a sacrifice, giving up my chocolate and cheese. But all for good reason. One day we'd be reunited.

But I've never felt better. I mean I'm less tired, less brain foggy, I have more energy then I feel I've had in a long time (even with nightfeeds!) I don't get headaches anymore, I haven't felt bloated in weeks and the best part - my life long eczema - all but gone.

I'm furious. I mean what a discovery? Brilliant. But chocolate. But cheese. In case anyone else feels permanently groggy, headachey or skin problems, and happen to eat a lot of chocolate, maybe I'm bringing you down with me.

... so anyone know any actually good vegan and soya free chocolate?

Yes! Green and Blacks 70%. It isn't certified vegan but has no dairy in the ingredients list.

Dark chocolate does nothing for me. Is it an acquired taste? Do I need to persevere?

Holland and Barrett have lots of options or the vegan store. Day to day choc for me would be nomo (cookie dough is lovely) or choc nutty balls as a treat - they're like forrero rocher but a tad expensive for what you get

Ah yes this happened to me too!

I could not believe my digestive issues all cleared up and I never felt better.

To test whether it was diary, I tried it a few times (once DS was weaned) and omg.... I paid for it. Not worth it.

Tbh, cheese makes me want to vomit at the smell and I don't miss it anymore at all. Chocolate I do miss, but I have found Topic Vegan to be a great alternative and tbf thr Lindt one too

Galaxy now do a vegan chocolate with hazelnuts , it’s my favourite regular price treat. If I’m feeling flash I go to Hotel Chocolat, their Nutmilk selections are divine!

I found the same when we went to being a dairy free household! There are a lot of "accidentally vegan" foods out there - have a look on Facebook. Oreos are vegan as a bourbon biscuits

In terms of chocolate bars - moo free are good, taste like cheap advent calendar chocolate. I've yet to find anything that gives the satisfaction of a dairy milk bar though

This is an expensive taste but bouja bouja chocolates are vegan and divine

Nomo chocolate is great. I hate dark chocolate and the milk is the closest I've found. They also do different flavours like orange chocolate or mint chocolate DH has the allergies so I've tried a few over the years.

Ah it's booja-booja truffles! Better than the dairy version.

Cheese is tricky though

I've noticed, at the ripe old age of 50, that if I eat chocolate or sweets (or both) I wake with a terrible headache. I'm gutted as my 'go to' snack on an evening is something with a tonne of processed sugar in it. Not good for me to start with - but I'm lost

I'm blaming the menopause

NOMO. They do a gorgeous caramel and sea salt that is amazing!!

Vego chocolate is lovely, and https://pureheavenly.com do lots of different varieties of dairy-free chocolate. You can get vegan Cadbury's, Kit-Kats etc. quite easily now as well.

When me and my bestie gave up chocolate years ago we both had a headache for weeks. Decided not risking that again! And life without cheese is no life.
Have given up cow's milk to feel a bit better morally and don't eat meat anyway
.

Have you checked it isn't the lactose? You can get lactose free milk/cheese.

Lindtt do a nice one. Not sure if it’s soya free

No! Moo free tastes like sadness (according to my lactose intolerant DD). 😆

Heavenly is nice though. Particularly partial to the chocolate orange.

Gave up dairy about 18 months ago; made such a difference to me.

For a chocolatey hit I just have a drink instead: cocoa or cacao made up with a barista vegan milk and slightly sweetened is delicious and keeps the choc cravings at bay.

Nomo chocolate is good. Vego is also amazing, though expensive, as are the little Vegolinos

https://www.thefudgepatch.co.uk/ this fudge is deadly and they deliver.

I love vegan Kit Kats and bouji chocolates the best.

Rhythm 108, especially the orange one and the hazelnut one are delicious (their bags of biscuits are lovely too).

kakoa do brilliant vegan chocolate, can’t remember if it’s soya free offhand.

You might find you can tolerate goats cheese
I can recommend https://sthelensfarm.co.uk/products/goats-cheese
I prefer the mild one and it's a more "normal" cheese texture so melts really well if sliced thinly onto pasta or for cheese on toast (yum!)

Another yes to Vego, Nomo and Booja Booja, plus Galaxy Vegan Orange. Melting Pot do a decent vegan fudge too.

As for.cheese, I'm still hoping...

I used to be a die-hard milk chocolate only eater, didn't like dark. I changed over to dark a few years ago to cut back on sugar. I don't like milk chocolate much any more, eat dark by preference, though anything above 90% dark gets a bit unpleasant for me.