Why say “no” to cheese?

• Cheese is made from cow’s milk or other mammal’s milks.  This milk is the perfect milk designed especially for… calves.

• Cheese contains saturated fats and animal proteins – both are contributors to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancers promotors, and linked to auto-immune conditions.

• Cheese is 70-80% fat, the most calorically dense form of calories, so if you are looking to lose weight, start here.

• Cheese contains casein that breaks down during digestion to form casomorphins, chemically similar to morphine, thus extremely addictive… cheese lovers you know what I mean! Watch this video by Dr. Barnard to learn more.

How to get off cheese?

Cold tofurkey! Get rid of it in your home 100% to avoid sneaking when no one is looking...

If you are craving cheese, these plant-based cheeses are a big step above animal-based cheese. They can fill the void where cheese existed (topping a pizza, sprinkled on pasta…). If they are made with nuts, they are considered a healthy fat so would be a “B-rated” food.

Cheese substitutes are made from calorically dense plant-based products and are therefore super rich in calories. Many are made using coconut oil – avoid these all together. Some are nut-based – these are the healthier options, so read labels!! Enjoy, but use sparingly:)

cream cheese

Kite Hill Cream Cheese with chives – this is almond-based, for a treat on a whole grain bread or bagel. (And the chives add a bonus from the allium family – antioxidant rich)

Ricotta

Kite Hill – also almond-based. For a plant-based lasagna – mix one 8 oz carton of this with a package of tofu, for one of the layers.

Cheese to slice with crackers

Miyokos. Read labels! This brand of artisanal cheeses I love… but some have coconut oil so you must read labels. The Aged Smoked English Farmhouse Cashew Cheese is to die for and does not have any coconut oil. In addition, their Herbes de Provence and Sharp English Farmhouse wheels have no added oils. Plant City carries it and sometimes Whole Foods.

Mozzarella

So far, I cannot find one without oil that is ready made. So, you can try to make it yourself with this Vegan8 recipe. Many brands contain coconut oil as a main ingredient so I would avoid these.

Sliced cheese for sandwiches or burgers

Bad news – I cannot find ANY without coconut oil! Every brand I researched contained coconut oil or other oil.

Parmesan

You can buy Nooch-It to shake onto pasta dishes made from cashews and nutritional yeast, or make it yourself with this recipe. It is super easy to make!