The Best Brands of Plant-Based Yoghurts
Sojade is a France yoghurt brand, made in a solar-powered factory, and only sold in health shops. They got rid of plastic lids years ago, and the flavours are more unique than the usual supermarket fodder.
The company buys beans that do not come from cleared rainforest land. This protects habitats and helps keep deforestation-linked emissions out of the supply chain.
Choose from:
- Strawberry: Light and fresh, great for children and quick breakfasts. Try it with sliced banana or a sprinkle of oats.
- Blueberry: Known for antioxidants. Works well with toasted seeds or a swirl of almond butter.
- Raspberry: A vivid, tangy note that cuts through granola. Perfect in overnight oats or a simple parfait.
- Cherry: Deeper and richer, with a dessert-like feel. Lovely with dark chocolate shavings or crushed pistachios.
Serving ideas:
- Spoon over granola for crunch.
- Blend into smoothies with frozen fruit and spinach.
- Use as a dessert topper with stewed apples or poached pears.
- Stir into warm porridge for a silky finish.
Why Are People Giving Up Dairy?
The dairy industry is huge. No-one denies that a small organic dairy farmer treats his cows well. But the big dairy industry (from where most dairy milk is produced – especially for all the by-products used in ready-meals etc) has huge welfare concerns.
It’s still the case in the UK that most male calves (of no financial use to the dairy industry, which is separate from the beef industry) are shot dead soon after birth.
Many cows spend their entire lives in factory farms, being inseminated and giving birth, then having their calves ripped from them soon after birth. Cows and calves have incredibly strong relationships, and will cry out loudly for weeks, if separated.
Some organisations are helping dairy farmers to transfarm over to growing more profitable oats, giving seeds and training. Remaining animals are then left to live out their lives in peace, akin to farm sanctuaries.
Cocos Organic (coconut yoghurt from Kent!)
Cocos Organic is one of the better brands of coconut yoghurts in shops, made from ethically-sourced (no monkeys used to harvest) coconuts, all certified vegan and organic, and sold in easy-to-recycle packaging.
Coconuts are of course not locally, but after importing (sorry but you can’t grow coconuts in England!), they are then made in a Kent factory, creating local sustainable jobs.
This is a real artisan company, that makes coconuts full of gut-friendly live cultures. Plant-based foods actually absorb calcium better, and strong bones need regular weight-bearing exercise. This is why countries in the Far East that drink little dairy (but walk more) have stronger bones.
Countries that guzzle lots of dairy (the UK, Scandinavia, North America) have far more issues with osteoporosis, as they don’t walk as much, and drink more dairy. Choose from flavours:
- Natural
- Strawberry
- Mixed Berry
- Vanilla
- Mango Passionfruit
You can find these yoghurts in many good delis and farm shops, and some supermarkets.
A Coconut Yoghurt (with gut health benefits!)
Got an icky tummy? You’ve likely heard that yoghurt is good for your gut, but you don’t have to eat dairy to get the benefits. Look in shops for The Coconut Collab gut-health yoghurt.
Made with fresh coconuts combined with coconut water, the mix is then fermented (just like dairy yoghurt) to produce millions of healthy bacteria for a healthy tummy.
The Coconut Collab never uses monkeys to harvest their coconuts, and never uses palm oil (this helps to protect orangutans and other endangered species from deforestation).
This brand makes lots of other tasty coconut yoghurts, this one is a little different in that it has billions of additional live cultures added. Like all their yoghurts, it’s fortified with vitamins (including B12, the one really important for vegans) and calcium, so rich in nutrients for general good health and strong bones.
Also look in stores for their products, including vegan vanilla custard and a wonderful double cre*m, which although it’s made from coconuts, has no taste of them whatsoever, delicious to dollop on organic strawberries, especially during Wimbledon fortnight!
Mixed Berry Vegan Yoghurt Smoothie Recipe
This Mixed Berry Yoghurt Smoothie (The Simple Veganista) is a wonderful way to start your day. You literally only need a few ingredients.
A room-temperature banana (no need to freeze like most smoothies), some plain or vanilla plant yoghurt, your favourite non-dairy milk and optional toppings like a dollop of nut butter for protein. Just whizz it all up and you’re ready to go.
If you fancy something more substantial, try this blogger’s chocolate almond smoothie bowl. Smoothie bowls are basically thicker so you eat them with a spoon.
This one is made with protein-rich nut butter along with chilled plant milk and frozen bananas. Always slice your bananas before freezing. Keep cocoa powder away from pets.
Invest in a Good Blender
If you enjoy making smoothies, it’s worth investing in a good blender (it doesn’t have to be very expensive, just one with a glass jug and good motor that does not burn out, and is easy to clean).
It’s UK law that if you buy a new electrical appliance, the shop you buy from must take back the old appliance. So if you have dusty old broken blender in your cupboard (or anything else you don’t use like a chip fat fryer), take it back for a simple swap!
