Andy Montoya
Cheddar cheese is a hard, sharp-tasting cheese that originated in the English village of Cheddar, in Somerset, and is one of the most popular cheeses in the world. But is it suitable for those on a paleo diet? The short answer is that it depends. While some people on the paleo diet consume dairy, others do not, and there are several paleo-friendly cheddar cheese substitutes available, both store-bought and homemade.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of diet | Paleo |
| Type of food | Cheese |
| Variety | Cheddar |
| Texture | Stretchy |
| Consistency | Melts |
| Taste | Sharp |
| Ingredients | Tapioca, Cassava flour, Vitamin C crystals, Nutritional yeast, Agar, Non-dairy milk, Cashews, Lemon juice, Mustard, Tomato paste, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Chili powder, Turmeric |
| Dietary restrictions | Dairy-free, Vegan, Gluten-free, Grain-free |
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What You'll Learn
Paleo-friendly cheese alternatives
Cheddar cheese is not considered paleo-friendly, but there are several paleo-friendly cheese alternatives that you can try. Many of these are homemade and can be made with simple ingredients.
One option is to make paleo-friendly cheddar cheese using gluten-free, grain-free flour. This flour can be used to create a meltable and stretchy cheese that can be sliced, shredded, and melted, just like traditional cheddar. This option is perfect for those who want to enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich, burger, or bacon egg cheese biscuit without compromising their paleo lifestyle.
Another popular choice is to make paleo-friendly cheese using tapioca. Tapioca cheese is an excellent replacement for mozzarella, as it has a similar texture and consistency. It can also be easily adapted to suit vegan dietary needs.
Additionally, there are several recipes for paleo-friendly cheese substitutes made with nuts, seeds, or vegetables. For example, you can make a creamy cheese spread using cashews, almond milk, and pine nuts, or a nut-free option with cauliflower puree, coconut butter, and probiotics. Zucchini cheese is another popular choice, with many variations available, such as basic zucchini cheese, garlic-chive zucchini cheese, and nacho zucchini cheese.
If you're looking for a quick and easy option, you can also purchase paleo-friendly cheese alternatives like tapioca cheese, which is a perfect replacement for mozzarella, or try paleo-friendly Parmesan cheese made with cashew and nutritional yeast.
These alternatives ensure that those following a paleo diet don't have to miss out on the deliciousness of cheese and can still enjoy their favorite dishes with suitable replacements.
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Nutritional yeast
Some varieties of nutritional yeast are fortified with additional vitamins and minerals, such as iron or vitamin B12. However, it is important to note that the nutrients in fortified nutritional yeast are often not naturally occurring and are synthetically added. For this reason, some people prefer to use non-fortified nutritional yeast, which is a 100% whole food with no synthetics.
Overall, nutritional yeast is a tasty and nutritious ingredient that can be easily incorporated into a Paleo diet. It is a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, and its savoury flavour can enhance the taste of many dishes.
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Melting and stretching
While dairy is considered a grey area in the Paleo diet, with some people choosing to include it in their diets, there are several dairy-free and vegan options for cheddar cheese that are suitable for the Paleo diet.
Some Paleo cheeses lack the ability to melt and stretch like regular cheese, but there are some options that can satisfy your cheddar cravings. The Curious Coconut, for example, offers a recipe for a meltable, stretchy, shreddable cheddar cheese that is both Paleo and AIP-friendly. This recipe uses Otto's cassava flour, which results in a cheese with a softer, fluffier mouthfeel.
There are two options provided for this recipe, with the first option being the best for melting. It sets more softly than the second option but is ideal for placing on top of a burger or a piece of bread and then melting. It can be baked in the oven for as long as needed and will remain stretchy, making it perfect for dishes like lasagna or pizza.
The second option is better for slicing, shredding, and eating chilled. While it does melt and become delightfully gooey, it does not retain its stretch and does not stand up to long cooking times. This option also has a sharper cheddar flavor thanks to the addition of vitamin C.
Other meltable and stretchy Paleo cheese options include tapioca cheese, which is a perfect replacement for mozzarella, and a dairy-free cheddar cheese recipe from Jane's Healthy Kitchen, which uses coconut butter and lemon to create a firm, rich, and creamy cheese with a slightly tangy flavor.
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Dairy intolerance
The severity of symptoms and the amount of lactose that can be tolerated vary among individuals with lactose intolerance. While some people may need to avoid dairy completely, others can manage their condition by limiting their dairy intake or choosing more easily digestible forms, such as full-fat or fermented goat or sheep dairy. Additionally, taking lactase supplements before consuming lactose-containing foods may help reduce or prevent symptoms in some cases. It is important to read food labels, as lactose is often added to boxed, canned, frozen, and prepared foods.
For those following a Paleo diet who are dairy intolerant, there are several dairy-free and vegan options available to satisfy cheese cravings. These include Paleo cheddar cheese made with tapioca flour, cassava flour, or coconut butter, among other ingredients. These alternatives can be melted, stretched, shredded, or sliced, and used in various dishes, such as grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, or pizzas.
Some recipes for Paleo cheddar cheese include adding vitamin C crystals to enhance the sharpness of the cheese and mimic the taste of aged cheese. Other ingredients used in Paleo cheese recipes include cauliflower puree, coconut butter, probiotics, seasonings, and various nuts, such as cashews, almonds, macadamia nuts, and pine nuts. These recipes allow individuals with dairy intolerance to enjoy the taste and texture of cheese without experiencing unpleasant symptoms.
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Making paleo cheese
While cheddar cheese is not strictly paleo, there are many paleo-friendly cheese alternatives that you can make at home. These recipes typically use nuts, seeds, or flour as a base and can be flavoured with ingredients like nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and vitamin C crystals to achieve a cheese-like taste.
One popular option is paleo cashew "cheese". To make this, you'll need to soak cashews in water for a minimum of four hours. Drain the cashews and add them to a high-powered blender along with water and lemon juice. Blend until the mixture is thick and creamy. You can also add beef gelatin powder to help the mixture firm up and achieve a more cheese-like texture. This recipe is versatile and can be used as a spread, melted on top of dishes, or even frozen for later use.
If you're looking for a nut-free option, you can try making paleo cheese with seeds or flour. For example, the Autoimmune Paleo Diet Nut-Free and Dairy-Free "Cheese" recipe uses cauliflower puree, coconut butter, probiotics, and seasonings. You can also experiment with gluten-free, grain-free flours like Otto's cassava flour to make a meltable, stretchy paleo cheddar cheese.
For those who want a sharper cheddar flavour, adding vitamin C crystals can enhance the tanginess of your paleo cheese. You can also try fermenting the mixture before adding gelatin to get a flavour more akin to cheddar.
Lastly, if you're a fan of Parmesan cheese, you can make a dairy-free paleo version by blending cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt. This recipe is perfect as a topping, seasoning, or sprinkle on dishes like gluten-free pasta or roasted vegetables.
With a bit of creativity and experimentation, making paleo cheese can be a fun and delicious way to enjoy the flavours and textures of cheese while adhering to dietary restrictions.
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Frequently asked questions
The paleo diet is a nutritional plan based on the presumed ancient diet of wild plants and animals that humans consumed during the Paleolithic era.
Dairy is a grey area on the paleo diet. Some people can tolerate it, while others cannot. However, there are many dairy-free and vegan cheese options available for those on the paleo diet.
Some paleo-friendly cheese options include tapioca cheese, cashew cheese, cauliflower cheese, and coconut butter cheese.
To make paleo-friendly cheddar cheese at home, you can use ingredients such as gluten-free flour, vitamin C crystals, agar powder, and cassava flour. There are various recipes available online that provide step-by-step instructions and ingredient lists.
