Kamil Perry
Veganism has become increasingly popular, with vegan options now widely available in many restaurants. However, just because something is vegan does not automatically mean it is healthy. One of the most popular producers of vegan cheese is Daiya Foods. Daiya cheese has a similar number of calories and fat content to dairy cheese, but it contains significantly more ingredients and less protein and calcium. It is also processed and contains preservatives, colour additives, and sodium. On the upside, it is better for gut health and is free of hormones. Daiya cheese is also allergy-friendly and melts well, making it a good option for pizzas and grilled cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nutritional value | A 1/4 cup serving contains 90 calories, 6 grams of fat, 2 grams of saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 280mg sodium, 7 grams total carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, 0 grams sugar, 1 gram protein, 2% of your daily calcium and iron, and no vitamin A or vitamin C. |
| Ingredients | Daiya Foods uses a variety of oils (mainly coconut oil) and ingredients like tapioca starch, potato starch, and tapioca flour to create their cheese. |
| Health | Daiya cheese is better for gut health as it does not contain lactose or casein. However, it may be high in saturated fat due to the use of coconut oil. It also does not contain substantial amounts of protein or calcium unless fortified. |
| Taste | Daiya cheese is generally well-liked by consumers, with some preferring it melted on pizzas or grilled cheese sandwiches. However, some users have expressed mixed opinions on its taste and texture. |
| Allergies | Daiya cheese is usually allergy-friendly, but some individuals with specific allergies may need to avoid it due to the presence of potato starch or tree nuts in certain products. |
| Environmental impact | Vegan cheese has a lower environmental impact than traditional cheese, reducing the distress experienced by cows, goats, and sheep during the cheese-making process. |
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What You'll Learn
Daiya cheese is made with coconut oil and tapioca starch
Daiya cheese is a plant-based, dairy-free cheese alternative that is designed to melt and stretch, making it a versatile option for pizzas, pastas, sauces, and casseroles. The cheese is made with a blend of ingredients, including tapioca starch and coconut oil, which contribute to its melting properties.
Daiya cheese is produced by Daiya Foods, a company that creates plant-based, dairy-free cheese and cheese-forward foods. Their products are designed to be creamy and melty, with a rich flavour crafted from plants. The brand's cheese products are made from a blend of water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, cultures, enzymes, tapioca starch, coconut oil, corn starch, expeller-pressed safflower oil, calcium phosphate, konjac flour, yeast extract, fruit and vegetable juice, annatto, salt, dextrose, xanthan gum, lactic acid, and natural flavours.
The Daiya Oat Cream™ Blend, made from oats, is a key ingredient in the cheese, providing a creamy, melty texture and rich flavour. This blend is combined with other plant-based ingredients, including tapioca starch and coconut oil, to create a product that mimics the taste and texture of traditional dairy cheese. The inclusion of these ingredients contributes to the cheese's melting abilities, providing a creamy and rich mouthfeel.
Daiya cheese is a good option for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan, as it is made from plant-based ingredients and does not contain any artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives. However, it is important to note that vegan cheese may still be high in saturated fat, especially if it is made with coconut oil. Additionally, vegan cheese may not contain substantial amounts of protein or calcium, which are two major health benefits of dairy consumption.
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It is free of lactose, casein, and animal growth hormones
Daiya cheese is free of lactose, casein, and animal growth hormones. This means that it is suitable for people who are lactose intolerant or allergic to casein, a protein found in milk. The absence of lactose also means that consumers can avoid the intestinal permeability associated with eating dairy cheese, as well as the bloating, diarrhea, gas, nausea, and abdominal pain that can come with lactose intolerance.
Daiya cheese is also free of animal growth hormones, which some people believe can be harmful to the body. While there are varying schools of thought on whether dairy cheese contains enough of these hormones to be detrimental to health, choosing vegan cheese like Daiya removes the guesswork. This may be especially beneficial for people who experience acne, as the extra hormones in dairy cheese are thought to cause breakouts.
In addition to being free of lactose and animal growth hormones, Daiya cheese is also free of casein. Casein is another protein found in milk that gives cheese its stretchy, stringy texture. While Daiya cheese may not have the same stretchiness as dairy cheese due to the lack of casein, it is still a good option for those with casein allergies or intolerances.
The absence of lactose, casein, and animal growth hormones in Daiya cheese makes it a suitable option for those with dietary restrictions or allergies. However, it is important to note that vegan cheese may still be highly processed and contain preservatives, color additives, and sodium. It may also be lacking in protein and calcium compared to dairy cheese, so it is important to look for fortified options if these nutrients are a concern.
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It is high in saturated fat and contains fewer proteins and calcium
Daiya cheese is made with coconut oil, which is known to boost the fat content of vegan cheese. While it is free of cholesterol and hormones, Daiya cheese contains 4.5 grams of saturated fat per slice, compared to 3 grams in a Cabot slice. This is a concern because saturated fats and salts are known to cause bloating and clogged arteries, and can lead to heart disease.
Daiya cheese also contains fewer proteins and calcium than dairy cheese. A 1/4 cup serving of Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds contains 1 gram of protein and provides 2% of the daily value of calcium. In comparison, a 1/4 cup of Sargento Shredded Mozzarella contains 7 grams of protein and provides 20% of the daily value of calcium.
The lack of protein and calcium in vegan cheese is a significant drawback, as these are two major health benefits of dairy consumption. While Daiya cheese may be fortified with calcium, it still does not provide substantial amounts of protein. This is a common issue with vegan cheese, as the formulation can differ greatly between brands, and many are highly processed, containing preservatives, colour additives, and sodium.
However, it is important to note that Daiya cheese has some health advantages over dairy cheese. It is better for gut health, as it does not contain lactose or casein, which can cause intestinal permeability, bloating, diarrhea, gas, nausea, and abdomen pain in people who react poorly to these substances. Daiya cheese is also free of animal growth hormones, which may be present in dairy cheese and have potential harmful effects on the body. Additionally, vegan cheese is more environmentally friendly, as it does not involve the use of animal products, minimizing the carbon footprint and distress to cows, goats, and sheep during the cheese-making process.
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It is allergy-friendly and good for gut health
Daiya cheese is allergy-friendly and good for gut health. Daiya cheese is made from a variety of oils, mainly coconut oil, and ingredients like tapioca starch, potato starch, and gluten-free flours such as almond or tapioca flour. It is free of common allergens such as dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy, making it a safe option for people with allergies or intolerances to these ingredients.
The absence of lactose and casein in Daiya cheese also makes it a good choice for gut health. Lactose intolerance can cause bloating, diarrhea, gas, nausea, and abdominal pain, so Daiya cheese can be a suitable alternative for people who react poorly to lactose. The use of gluten-free flours in Daiya cheese also makes it a safe option for those with gluten intolerances or sensitivities.
In addition to being allergy-friendly and gut-healthy, Daiya cheese is also environmentally friendly. By opting for Daiya cheese over traditional cheese, consumers can reduce their carbon footprint and minimise the distress caused to cows, goats, and sheep during the cheese-making process.
However, it is important to note that Daiya cheese may not be suitable for everyone. Some people may have allergies or intolerances to the specific ingredients used in Daiya cheese, such as coconut or potato. Additionally, while Daiya cheese is better for gut health than dairy cheese, it may still be high in saturated fat, which can have negative impacts on heart health.
Overall, Daiya cheese is a good option for those seeking an allergy-friendly and gut-healthy cheese alternative. However, it is always important to read the ingredient labels and be mindful of individual dietary needs and restrictions.
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Daiya cheese is one of the most popular producers of vegan cheese
Daiya Foods is one of the most popular producers of vegan cheese. Veganism has become increasingly popular, with vegan diets excluding all animal products, such as meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy. This has led to a rise in vegan food options designed to mimic the taste and texture of animal products.
Vegan cheese, in particular, has become a popular alternative to traditional cheese, with consumers spending $5 billion in the "plant-based food sector" in 2016, according to the Washington Post. Daiya has been able to capitalise on this growing market by offering a variety of vegan cheese options.
Daiya's cheese is made using a combination of oils, mainly coconut oil, and ingredients like tapioca starch, potato starch, and other gluten-free flours. This gives their cheese a similar texture and meltability to dairy cheese, making it a popular choice for those who want a cheese alternative that behaves like traditional cheese.
However, Daiya cheese has received some criticism for containing more ingredients and having a higher saturated fat content than dairy cheese. It also lacks the same amount of protein and calcium as dairy cheese, unless it is fortified. Despite this, Daiya cheese is still a popular option for those with allergies or intolerances to dairy, soy, or tree nuts, as it is usually allergy-friendly.
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Frequently asked questions
The answer is conflicting. Daiya cheese contains ingredients that are generally better for gut health than dairy cheese. However, it is also high in saturated fat and lacks substantial amounts of protein and calcium.
Daiya cheese is made from a variety of oils (mainly coconut oil) and ingredients like tapioca starch.
Daiya cheese is usually allergy-friendly and tastes good when melted. However, some people dislike its taste and prefer other vegan cheese brands like Miyokos and Violife.
