Yogurt for the Lactose Intolerant and Vegan

by Jen L.

I think I've shared before that I am lactose intolerant and I know I've shared about my friends with dairy allergies.  These issues keep me on my toes when food shopping. I always keep my eye out, particularly when I can visit a "natural foods" store like Whole Foods or The Fresh Market, for non-dairy options.  Lately, I've been trying to branch out, particularly since I haven't been able to find my favorite soy yogurt, mad by Silk, in over three months.  Here's what I've learned:  Some things are a great yogurt alternative, while others are just gross. 

I recently started buying Stonyfield Organic O'Soy Yogurt.  The only kind I can consistently find at any of my stores is the six-pack of peach and strawberry.  That's all fine and good, but I get SO TIRED of these two flavors.  I also really miss more traditional "fruit on the bottom" yogurt options.  Stonyfield makes a great fruit on the bottom variety, but alas, I cannot find it locally.

Hi, blueberry.  I miss you.

I recently stumbled upon Whole Soy & Co. at my local Earth Fare store, then again at Whole Foods.  This stuff is the bomb.  They have a nice variety of flavors, a great texture (with fruit on the bottom!) and a perfect taste.  So many times, soy yogurt can taste a bit like the box it came in.  This brand has the perfect combination of sweet and tangy that I crave. I eat it alone or mixed with granola. My favorite is the mixed berry, followed closely by the apricot mango.

Know what's not good? Almond milk yogurt.  I was SO disappointed, as almond milk has pretty much replaced soy milk in my house.  I was expecting a great, smooth, nutty experience, but was met with a horribly grainy texture, a bit of a sour taste and a smell I couldn't quite get past.  There was a lot of liquid (and maybe some oil?) on top that never really went away, no matter how much I stirred.  Too bad--I had high hopes for almond milk yogurt.

My next conquest will be coconut milk yogurt.  I'm anxious to see how coconutty it tastes and how exactly I feel about that.

Do you know of any non-dairy yogurt options I should explore?

IMAGE CREDIT:  goodguide dot com

Comments

[Martha]

Hello! Just stumbled over your blog while googling lactose-free recipes. I'm lactose-intolerant, too. I recently discovered a great line of organic lactose-free yogurts from Green Valley organics. (I got mine from Whole Foods). They are absolutely wonderful. (I had a laugh when I got to the part where you write Hi Blueberry - that's exactly the reaction I had when I found the yogurts on the shelf!)

Have you ever found a lactose-free heavy cream? That's my next goal. I'd love some real whip cream again!

-Martha