Exploring the Health Benefits of Vegan Cheese Alternatives

We, like a lot of red-blooded humans out there, love cheese. And we know you’re wondering… Can vegans eat cheese? Of course, we can! Nowadays, it’s easy to find plant-based alternatives to our creamy favorites. We can get everything from cheddar to brie, from mozzarella to gouda, and from pepper jack to feta!

A lot of the time, people don’t try vegan cheese because they don’t think it tastes good or has the same texture. We do agree that they won’t be identical - How often will you honestly find food the same as others? But that doesn’t mean plant-based cheeses are bad! No way!

Vegan cheeses come pretty close, though. We love vegan cheese because they’re delicious and have fantastic textures. Our plant-based mozzarella melts just like yours and our cheddar is as punchy as the real deal. Vegan cheeses have improved so greatly over the years that it’s hard to tell them apart from the ones made with dairy.

Is Vegan Cheese Good?

We think so! We wouldn’t have dedicated an entire section of our website to vegan cheeses if we didn’t think they were good.

We also love the sheer variety we get. Like regular cheeses, you can get different plant-based cheeses that use different bases. Some are made with cashews, some with soy, and some with coconuts. Each of them delivers different flavors, of course, and even textures.

Speaking of textures, you can also just as easily find cheese blocks, shreds, wedges, slices, and cubes now. The vegan cheese aisle is just as impressive, if not more, than your regular dairy section.

Is Vegan Cheese Healthy?

If you plan on switching to dairy-free cheese, then it shouldn’t be a problem. If you consume a moderate amount like you would regular cheese, then you shouldn’t experience anything negative, healthwise. 

If you’re wondering whether vegan cheese healthier than regular cheese, then here’s a quick answer. It depends. As a generalization, however, it’s safe to say vegan cheeses are healthier than regular cheese. There’s lower saturated fat content in them, but that might also mean they contain less calcium and protein. 

If that’s a major concern, then you can pick up plant-based cheeses fortified with nutrients. That’s why we initially said that it depends - because it depends on what vegan cheeses you’re able to get!

Check Out - 9 Best Vegan Cheese to Satisfy Your Craving

What Makes Vegan Cheeses Healthy?

The benefits of vegan cheeses lie in their ingredients. If you think about our carnivorous friends and how they eat their burgers, it’s like putting fat (dairy cheese) on more fat (meaty burgers). Our arteries are tightening just thinking about it!

If you remember, vegan cheeses are made with ingredients like soy, oats, nuts, and oil. These ingredients, apart from oil, are usually low in calories, cholesterol, and saturated fat compared to regular cheese. Plus they’re naturally healthier ingredients! 

One thing that also makes vegan cheese healthier for some is that they’re free from certain allergens. Cheeses that are free from dairy and lactose are the bare minimum sometimes, but we love how there are options free from soy, nuts, and tree nuts. If you have dietary restrictions, vegan cheeses are what you should consider getting!

Also Read - Comparing Vegan Cheese Brand? Choose the Best One

Some Cons Of Vegan Cheese

If you’re simply relying on vegan cheese to provide you with full nutrition, then we have to burst your bubble. Certain ones aren’t a good source of vegan cheese protein, calcium, and vitamins. 

Though they’re also far less fatty and contain fewer calories, vegan cheeses also tend to contain more sodium. And that’s because of the additional seasoning to make them taste as close to their counterparts.

We are also aware that eating vegan cheese may sometimes feel like eating scoops of oil (for example, Good Planet Foods’ Cheese Blocks are made with olive oil), but a little won’t do you any harm.

So use cheese as an ingredient - not the main dish. A little cheese here and there won’t be unhealthy. It’s when you go overboard and consume more than the recommended intake that’s bad. After all, you don’t see people walking around eating bricks of cheese daily (at least we hope not).

Check Out - Is Cheese Vegan? Everything You Need to Know

Get Shred-y for Vegan Cheese

Don’t forget! Everything should be eaten in moderation… That’s especially true for plant-based cheese. That way, you can continue to enjoy it for years to come. 

When you’re ready to dive into a world of cheesy deliciousness, then head to Vegan Essentials! We’ve got all your dairy-dodging cheeses just waiting to be eaten.