Vegans !

[Dairyfreedaisy]

sorry for clickbaity title, just a bit desperate for advice here from vegans or dairy free people

I’ve been unwell for a while and we have discovered it is due to lactose and dairy. I’ve removed it from my diet altogether, but I’m struggling with substitutes and so far I haven’t liked all the diary free things I’ve tried in place of chocolate, biscuits, ice cream and just general dairy based snacks and treats. I miss being able to eat chocolate without being unwell and I’ve got some dairy free chocolate to try but i didn’t like the taste or texture

does anyone have any go-to yummy vegan/dairy free treats or favourite brands/shops?

ive been contemplating going vegan for the last decade and never quite doing it so this has been my motivation to do it once and for all

also does anyone have any good places for recipes recommendations for dairy free baking and cooking or cookbook or website recommendations? I’d like to start meal making from scratch but a lot of things use cheese or cream so didn’t know where to start

thanks xx

I had no idea Sweedish Glace did other flavours. Only had the vanilla.

Alpro soya desserts (similar to mousse) are quite nice. GU puds do vegan mini cheesecakes whih are lovely.

I lived off Oreos and bourbons when I had to be dairy free.

Oreos are vegan. Slight disclaimer that they may come into contact with milk in the factory process, but so long as you aren't fatally allergic it will be absolutely fine

I make a nice vegan pesto, I don’t have a recipe as such, loads of basil, some mint and parsley, mixed nuts (heavy on cashews), Clove of garlic, lemon juice, loads of nutritional yeast, olive oil and seasoning. Takes a bit of trial and error to adjust it each time but it’s really nice and I hate normal pesto now even though I’m not vegan or dairy free. Don’t make it in a really efficient blender as that turns the nuts into a nut butter texture which is a bit claggy, I use a stick blender which is hard going but seems to work the best.

I agree though things that are accidentally vegan tend to be nicest apart from the Mc vegan burger from McDonald’s which is amazing but not an everyday food!

Dark chocolate almond milk is yum! I had to go dairy free for a while and would have that rather than chocolate to get my sweet fix. You can heat it up to make hot chocolate. It’s less calorific than regular chocolate milk too.

restaurants tend to be easy - there is always a vegan menu

The longer you avoid the dairy versions, the better the vegan ones taste.

Cheese - I like Applewood vegan the best.
Rythmn 108 is lovely chocolate. I also like Jeavons and Go Max although none of these are cheap.
Booja Booja and and Ben and Jerry’s are good ice cream.
loads of biscuits are accidentally vegan. Tesco dark chocolate digestives are my faves. And only 60p a pack.
sorry, written in a rush but I’ll have a think about other things I can add later

Ritter sport marzipan. I didn't think I liked marzipan but it's lovely. M&S have some lovely vegan marshmallows now. Sainsburys plant based lemon cake is very nice too.

I actually like Aldi vegan chocolate (both the "milk" variety and the white chocolate) Also Ben and Jerry's non-dairy cookie dough ice cream!

Buttermilk chocolate bars, they do a knock off mars and snickers that are very nice. Nomo caramel bars too and Asda own free from chocolate orange bars. Cheap Bourbon biscuits and Jammie dodgers.

Asda grated cheese is nice, as is their tomato and herb pasta bake sauce. Flora light for margarine or sainsburys plant pioneers spreadable salted butter. I like Asda oat milk the best and Alpro vanilla yoghurt.

Papa johns pizzas are very good, as well as the Mcplant from McDs and the very best, the Vegan royale from Burger King.

Ah yes the McPlant and Vegan Burger King whopper mmmm. I find out eating out very easy as most places have a free vegan options now/can change normal meals to be dairy free. Chain wise I think pizza express have the best vegan menu.

Have you tried lactase enzymes? You take them with food and they help break down the lactose. They are a game changer!

This was going to be my next suggestion if OP confirmed it's just lactose intolerance amazing little things!

nut based cheeses are the best options. I’d go cold turkey on dairy cheese for a month before trying vegan cheese and then go for:
im nut okay ricotta
koko cheddar
nush cream cheese

vegan magnums are a fantastic substitute

Oh and naturlii butter is incredible

Many of my favourites have been mentioned but I have to throw in the subreddit, r/veganuk as a source, and also Happy Cow for finding cafes and restaurants!

I find Ocado best for interesting vegan products and treats.

So true with cheese. I struggled to give up cheese as the vegan stuff was just horrendous and the smell 🤮 My DD said to go without for a couple of months then try the vegan cheese again, did it and can’t believe I love most vegan cheese now. It’s so strange.

I just stopped eating cheese of any kind for 3 months when I went vegan . Then gradually tried introducing vegan cheese. As you prob know, they are very mixed! Funnily enough I just don't really eat it any more and don't miss it either.

My family like Epic Mature (Violife) and I think Tesco Free From Wensleydale with cranberries is divine and so like the real thing my friends have been convinced it is!

Good luck. Going vegan is one of the best things I've ever done. I'm sure you'll enjoy it more than you expect.

Fair comment but have you seen what goes on routinely (essentially) in the dairy industry? It's hideous and I will never put a penny in their direction again.

Flora block butter salted is GREAT

Nomo chocolate

Flora slightly salted vegan butter
Anything from Marks plant kitchen range with special mention of the cherry bakewell cookies and chicken Kievs.
Galaxy do vegan versions of some of their chocolate, I love the blue one
Oomph kebabs
Vivera steaks and other products

If you do give up dairy then try lots of different things from different shops and ranges

Naturli butter (called block) is better than Flora's version. Dandy's marshmallows. Alpro custard.

I really struggle with cheese. As pps have said Applewood smoked vegan is ok and there are smoked fake gouda which are ok too but all the rest is nasty.

That was meant to say fake gouda slices

Been dairy/milk free for three weeks due to my 12 week old having suspected allergy. Oreos are great as is vegan galaxy chocolate - Asda sells it. Tesco free from range of choc chip cookies are amazing.