Replacement for dairy that is not ultra processed?

[QueenLagertha]

over the past 1.5 years we've gradually cut out UPFs and are moving towards a more whole food plant based diet (I have an autoimmune illness). Still eating some dairy. After watching "what the health" last night we would really like to cut dairy out completely.

I put some Greek yoghurt in my overnight oats with water every day. Also like feta on my salads and mozzarella on homemade pizza. DH uses dairy milk in his coffee/tea.

Struggling to find alternatives that aren't full of emulsifiers etc am I asking for the impossible?
I'm confused-which is worse for our health, dairy or upf alternatives?

Go for an organic oat milk. Look out for brands like Oatly, Rude Health, Jord and Plenish.
Waitrose sells Cocos organic natural coconut yogurt which is about as unprocessed as you can get for a yogurt alternative.

Thanks @Fivemoreminutes1. Live in NI so no Waitrose unfortunately. I've looked at Oatly but the rapeseed oil puts me off.

You can make your own oat milk - or buy a machine that makes mills out of nuts. I think they are quite pricey though. You can also get yogurt makers from Lakeland.

I don't think you'll be able to get cheese alternatives that don't have lots of added ingredients though.

@paulmccartneysbagel that's what I was thinking, thanks

When the DC were little our nanny was vegan. She made homemade oat milk and I’m sure she made a “cheese” out of soaked cashews. We had no special equipment (normal domestic kitchen equipment) so it must have been straightforward without.

Please, please consider looking into the people who made "what the health." "Documentaries" such as this are a) biased, b) paid for by those with an agenda and c) often refer to American rather than UK practices. It utterly breaks my heart coming from a farming background - where all the animals come first, middle and last to the extent I didn't go to hospital in bloody labour until it was sorted (as an aside the poor midwife took one look at me and took me straight from front door to delivery suite, do not pass assessment unit, do collect delivery midwife on the way!). Examples such as antibiotics and "pus" in the milk. Nope. In the UK everything is heavily tested, if antibiotics are found the whole lot is dumped, forget being paid for it you're more likely to face a financial penalty. If you want to improve your impact on the environment and your health try and find a local dairy, maybe even raw milk if you can.

Tescos own free from natural soya yoghurt seems to be as minimally processed as these things can be

I’m vegan and trying to cut right down on UPFs and it seems to mean a lot more hummus and tofu over fake cheeses etc
TBH the dairy cheese is probably better for you if it’s decent quality and an occasional thing

Honestly buy a nutribullet and use cashews and water. Blend to different consistencies depending on consistency you need.

I make anything from milk, light cream, double cream, cheese, cheesecake, sour cream with cashews and water and a nutribullet on a daily basis. It's good fats, healthful, protein-rich (and we need very little protein)

I wouldn't say it's the cheapest but they are very filling so it evens out because you're filing up for longer with nutritious food which is better long-term.

Just eat dairy

Bovine lactation has nothing for adult human beings. It's all marketing. Think about it; it's a species-specific bayfood.

@rumplestiltskinp - would you mind me asking which nutribullet you have. I've been making cashew cheese with a stick blender as can't afford one of the top range ones but it is still a bit grainy. Thanks.

It's not overly complicated to make your own oat milk, so that's what I would do. You just add some oats to water, let it sleep for a while, then strain through some cheesecloth or a muslin.

Of course it won't have any added calcium, so you will need to find alternate ways to get enough calcium in your diet, or take a supplement

I’d recommend The Vegan Pantry by Miyoko Shinner. I have made her fermented vegan cheese - it makes a lovely ‘cheese’ sauce rather than a good ‘cheese’ imo (but could be me!). Agree with others - cashews make a great ‘cheese’ spread.

I have a NutriBullet, it's a brand. I paid top price for it at the time they came out but worth every single penny. No bits, definitely good for cashew stuff. It's needed over other blenders. I bet the stick blender means a grainy product? Just google that name, they are on amazon. I've replaced mine twice, within 8 years.

local farm shops may have their own milks.

@MrsMoppins I understand that. However I am concerned about pending UK/USA trade deal.

@BeastOfBODMAS thanks for that. The ingredient list is definitely acceptable.

@rumplestiltskinp I have to try this. I only have a breville (cheaper version of nutribullet). Not sure if this would do the job. We use it a lot for smoothies.

@BeastOfBODMAS yea I definitely don't want to be replacing foods with fake meat/cheese alternatives.

Plenish milks dont contain any oils, so I use them in smoothies, overnight oats or chia pudding. But I find without the seed oil, most milk substitutes are too watery for coffee. So I am thinking of trying Davinia Taylors MCT powder, it has grass fed butter and coconut mcts in it, its a creamer powder you add to your hot drinks. So not dairy free but supposedly good for you and your brain health. Havent tried it though so cant comment on taste yet.