Reasons to try plant-based yoghurts

Yoghurt is popular in England, with many brands sold in grocery and health stores. But most are made with dairy – from cows or goats.

Good plant-based yoghurts are made with organic soya or coconut, and can sometimes be found in supermarkets. Other brands are uniquely sold in independent health stores.

Kind to animals (and your heart)

Plant-based yoghurts are made from many ingredients, even oats. All are cholesterol-free, so better for your heart.

Lower environmental impact

Imperial College London says one of the 9 best ways to reduce climate emissions is to eat less meat and dairy. This is because plant foods use less land and water, and don’t emit methane gas emissions.

Dairy-free is good for allergies

Whether you have a serious allergy (or simply issues with sinuses or acne), many people who go dairy-free find their symptoms clear up pretty quickly.

Unique flavours

Fed up with peach, strawberry or cherry? Although these flavours are nice, you don’t want the same yoghurt flavours for decades! Brands like Sojade (an organic yoghurt from France) is only sold in indie health shops, and offers different flavours like apricot or even Skyr-style thick Icelandic yoghurt.

Rich in protein

Organic soya and pea are particularly rich in protein. So you get all of the benefits, with none of the dairy, cholesterol or high environmental impact.

Still contain live cultures

Plant-based yoghurts still contain live cultures, for ‘good bacteria’ in the gut like probiotics. These are ideal to settle sensitive stomachs and IBS.

Easy to eat in different ways 

You don’t just have to eat yoghurt from a pot. You can pour it over fresh organic fruit, layer it up with granola, fruit and whipped vegan cream to make a parfait – or add it to thicken homemade smoothies.

Easy to recycle pots

Most kerbsides now accept yoghurt pots for recycling, including plastic tops. And some brands (like Sojade and Cocos Organic) have even removed the plastic tops. After opening, just decant the rest into a covered bowl, and keep it in the fridge for up to a couple of days.

Good brands of plant-based yoghurt

Sojade is a French brand of organic soya yoghurt (so rainforest-friendly). It’s also removed the plastic lids, and the yoghurts are made with solar power.

Only sold in independent health shops or farm stores, these flavours are very different – you still can find traditional flavours like cherry, but it also offers apricot, lemon and even banana yoghurts.

Coconut Collab makes thick yoghurts made from fairly-traded coconut milk (guarantee not harvested by monkeys abroad). The range includes plain (including high-protein and gut-friendly) and flavours like strawberry and mango. It also makes a nice thick coconut cream, to layer with yoghurt, fruit and granola to make a homemade parfait.

Cocos Organic again makes monkey-friendly coconut milks. It’s also removed the plastic lids. It offers nice traditional flavours like strawberry.