Nancy's Dining Room

How Do I Live Without Cheese?

Pizza, pasta, pastry; these are just some of the delectable foods where cheese has become an essential part of the ingredients. But what if you are trying to live a cheese-free lifestyle?

First, here are a few reasons why you would be deleting cheese as a part of your regular diet. If you are following a vegan diet, it does not include foods from animals, including: meat, poultry, fish, milk, eggs, and cheese.

Also, if you are lactose intolerant, your diet cannot include milk-based products such as cheese. Finally, there are certain individuals who are allergic to milk and cheese, which is why it is not recommended to be part of their daily food intake.

Is there Such a Thing as a Cheese Alternative?

Yes, there is such a thing as a cheese alternative. Here are a couple of types that you can choose from:

1. Soy Cheese

Soy cheese has almost the same taste as the meat-eater’s cheese. The only difference is that soy cheese is made from soy. It is specifically manufactured for individuals with milk allergies, lactose intolerance, those who are vegans, and those with religious restrictions.

If you have milk allergies, make sure that the brand of soy cheese you will buy is 100% casein-free. This ensures that the cheese is entirely free of dairy ingredients.

The good news is that there are different varieties of soy cheese to choose from, including Blue, Cheddar, Edam, Garlic, Gouda, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack and Parmesan.

2. Nutritional Yeast Flakes

This cheese alternative is available in your favorite health food stores. It’s a terrific food. It will enhance flavors, provide nutrition and add taste to your favorite meals and drinks.

These yeast flakes contain essential amino acids and is an excellent source of protein, folic acid and B-complex vitamins. This is also a natural low fat and salt food.

Tips for Living without Cheese

Are you a food lover who cannot resist the temptation of going for dishes with melt-in-your-mouth cheese ingredients, despite having dietary restrictions? Here are a few useful tips that you can follow to lead a cheese-free life!

* Resist the temptation.
When you see mouthwatering pasta and pizza dishes served with a huge amount of cheese, just remember its ill-affects on your health.

* Know what to avoid.
Some food items and dishes contain cheese, but they are not too obvious when you first look at them. Knowing exactly which foods to avoid can make you live a generally cheese-free life.

* Make sure you are still getting enough calcium.
Avoiding cheese and milk might make you calcium-deficient. Make sure that you are getting your calcium fix from other sources such as dark, leafy vegetables, sardines, almonds, and soy foods.

About the Author

Learn more about a vegetarian life that includes soy foods at http://www.SoymilkCrossroads.com and grab your Free Vegetarian Recipe Book. The author, Dee Overly, is an artist and mother who enjoys sharing the benefits of soy.

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