Hi

I like cheese but having, perhaps, overdosed on it when I was in my teens (cheese on toast, cheese sandwiches, pizzas, etc) I am totally unable to eat it now. If I have the slightest amount, I am (not to be too in depth) on the toilet in severe pain all night.

I believe, although I am not 100% certain, that this is due to the high fat content, as I have a bad stomach if I have semi-skimmed milk on my cereal instead of skimmed.

What are the main ingredients and fat content of vegan/vegetarian cheese, compared to normal dairy cheese? (From what I have seen on the web, dairy cheese varies from 15% - 48% fat depending on the variety)

What is the fat content of vegan/vegetarian cheese?

And, is there a difference between vegan and vegetarian cheese?

Thanks

Helen

I can't help you too much with this one since I can't find vegan cheese where I leave. But I do make my own "cheesy" sauces and they are low in fat. Most use nutritional yeast flakes. So if you want to make your own, just search the web and read the recipe to see what's in there for fat (usually just a bit of olive oil etc. sometimes nuts, and nut butters). I know there are some vegan cookbooks out there dedicated just to "cheese", but I don't own one yet.

Vegetarian cheese is still dairy cheese, it is just made without animal rennet. I would imagine the fat content of these would be the same as normal dairy cheese. Store bought vegan cheese is usually made with soy. One popular brand, Vegan Gourmet has 10% of its calories coming from fat. I think thats what you mean by the percentages. Here's the nutrional info for it. http://www.imearthkind.com/Nutritional%20Info.htm I usually buy it at Whole Foods.

There are also "cheeses" made from soy, almond or rice milk that contain casein, so while they're not vegan, they might be easier on your tummy.

Are you sure that your allergy or intolerance isn't related to the lactose and not the fat? That is how dairy allergies normally work.

Are you sure that your allergy or intolerance isn't related to the lactose and not the fat? That is how dairy allergies normally work.


No, I'm not sure of that at all. I don't know what causes it.

I'm OK with skimmed milk (but I only have it once a day on cereal, so I don't have huge amounts anyway) and one day, about 12 years ago, my stomach just said no to cheese. I'm as unsure as the rest of you! All I know is that, although I've come to live without it, sometimes I would really love a piece of cheese!

Helen

Vegetarian cheese is still dairy cheese, it is just made without animal rennet. I would imagine the fat content of these would be the same as normal dairy cheese. Store bought vegan cheese is usually made with soy. One popular brand, Vegan Gourmet has 10% of its calories coming from fat. I think thats what you mean by the percentages. Here's the nutrional info for it. http://www.imearthkind.com/Nutritional%20Info.htm I usually buy it at Whole Foods.

There are also "cheeses" made from soy, almond or rice milk that contain casein, so while they're not vegan, they might be easier on your tummy.


actually its more like 90% of its calories come from fat. you were looking at what percentage of fat is in the cheese out of how much fat a person is supposed to have a day.

Vegan Gourmet is vegan cheese that melts! However, I'm pretty sure it's loaded with fat. It's vegetable fat, but that probably wouldn't help your tummy...

Are you sure that your allergy or intolerance isn't related to the lactose and not the fat? That is how dairy allergies normally work.


Cheeses actually have a relatively low lactose content as most of the lactose is removed in the whey portion. Most lactose intolerant people can tolerate cheese unless they are extremely sensitive.

People who are lactose intolerant aren't actually allergic to milk - they just can't make lactase (or can't make enough of it), which is the enzyme that breaks down lactose (milk sugar). When it is not broken down, it cannot be absorbed and it is fermented by bacteria, which creates gas, which causes discomfort and bloating, etc.

Milk allergies would be due to an allergic reaction to the protein in milk (ie casein).

Vegan Gourmet is vegan cheese that melts! However, I'm pretty sure it's loaded with fat. It's vegetable fat, but that probably wouldn't help your tummy...


I could *not* get that stuff to melt! I put the pizza in the oven at the temperature stated on the package, and it *burned* before it melted. :think:

I also remember it was very high in fat.. don't know the percentages though.

i dunno how it works out in %

but redwood's have some really nice vegan cheeses (some are quite dry, some are quite melty)

i am looking on their website just now. the different styles of cheeses have different fat content. look at this page on the website here, and click on each cheese to see their fat content:

http://www.redwoodfoods.co.uk/products/cheezly/content.html

Thanks for the link, Wildflower. I will have it look at it a little later. And thanks to everybody who has been replying.

Like I said, I'm not exactly sure what it is that causes my stomach to be intolerant to cheese (fat, lactose, etc) I don't really know enough about lactose to be sure it is that but I will investigate all that has been mentioned and give the vegan cheese a try (I'll know within 10 minutes of eating a small amount if it doesn't agree with me)

Cheers

Helen x

Try veganrella mozzerella cheese. It has 2.5 grams of fat per 50 calorie serving and tastes great (imo) but doesn't melt as well as vegan gourmet.

if you really wanna figure it out, start a food journal and really look at the ingredients of what you ate when you got ill...
as for fat in veggie cheese--its still pretty high, esp the ones that melt nicely...my advice would be to spend some time reading and comparing labels in the grocery store...
anyway, i'm lactose intolerant--can't eat milk/cheese/icecream/etc (yogurt doesn't bother me) unless i take a lactaid pill...veggie cheeses/lactose-free milk/soy are great alternatives for me (ps--i wasn't sensative to dairy until i was about 28 yrs old)...
my mother, on the other hand, is severely allergic to dairy and cannot eat the vast majority of veggie cheeses because they still contain casein...
hope this helps a little...
good luck!

The lowest-fat cheese substitutes I've found at my local store are the Lisanatti almond products: http://www.lisanatti.com/. They are not vegan (they have some milk products), but they are only 20% calories from fat, and taste pretty decent, although they don't melt.