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<p>
 When I was asked to review plant-based cheeses, I thought twice about doing so. Although there are some companies, usually smaller operations, that make non-dairy cheese out of fermented nuts or soya beans, more often than not it’s manufactured by big companies who are adept at recreating flavours, but who use ultra-processed ingredients such as emulsifiers, stabilisers and additives to get there.
</p>
<p>
 I’ve used vegan cheese only a handful of times in the eight years I’ve been writing
 my vegan column for the Guardian
 , partly because I like to know what’s going into my body (and, on reading the ingredients, I am often bamboozled), and also because it varies so wildly in terms of how it behaves: does it melt, split, grate and, most importantly, how does it taste? For a food writer, that makes it tricky to use and make sure there’s consistency in the journey between my kitchen and yours.
</p>
<p>
 So here is my chance to dig a little deeper. In testing these cheeses, I’ve led with flavour first, looking for anything on the spectrum between buttery, sweet and mild to full-blown extra-sharp, tangy and pungent. Following closely behind, the texture has to be right, too, because so much about eating cheese is about mouthfeel and that satisfying, creamy fattiness. Finally, credentials: my vote will always be in favour of products made with natural ingredients, because, ultimately, I believe that’s where the best food comes from.
</p>
<p>
 ***
</p>
<h2>
 The best vegan cheese
</h2>
<p>
 ***
</p>
<h2>
 <em>
  Best all-rounder
 </em>
 La Fauxmagerie Shoreditch smoked
</h2>
<p>
 <sub>
  £4.50 for 100g at Waitrose
 </sub>
</p>
<p>
 ★★★★★
</p>
<p>
 Absolutely delicious, and with the same instant gratification as dairy cheese – and I know because I can’t stop nibbling it. It melts beautifully in the mouth, has a potent, cheesy flavour akin to a medium mature cheddar and it comes in a pleasing wedge that can be cut or spread. Boasts a recognisable ingredients list, too.
</p>
<p>
 ***
</p>
<h2>
 <p>
  <em>
   Best bargain
  </em>
 </p>
 <p>
  Cathedral City plant based mature
 </p>
</h2>
<p>
 <sub>
  £3.60 for 280g at Tesco
 </sub>
 <sub>
  £3.60 for 280g at Asda
 </sub>
</p>
<p>
 ★★★★☆
</p>
<p>
 Great, sharp, pungent, mature cheddar flavour. Melts well into a creamy texture in the mouth. Faint powderiness that I can forgive because it hits the flavour and mouthfeel on the nail. Yes, it’s highly processed, but it is also a tasty, plant-based cheese. A solid block that could be used any which way.
</p>
<h2>
 ***
</h2>
<h2>
 <p>
  <em>
   Best splurge
  </em>
 </p>
 <p>
  Kinda Co Farmhouse
 </p>
</h2>
<p>
 <sub>
  £6.50 for 120g at Kinda Co
 </sub>
 <sub>
  £6.95 for 120g at Abel & Cole
 </sub>
</p>
<p>
 ★★★★☆
</p>
<p>
 A very soft, organic cashew nut- and miso-based cheese. It almost melts in the fingers and then does so in the mouth. Very sharp, almost lemony at first, then gives way to a flavour that’s more “pungent miso” than cheddar. That said, it has umami in spades, the mouthfeel is spot on and it has the purest ingredients list of all these “cheeses”. With its spreadable texture, would be best between two slices or melted through pasta.
</p>
<p>
 ***
</p>
<h2>
 <em>
  And the rest …
 </em>
</h2>
<h2>
 C’é Dairy? Matured
</h2>
<p>
 <sub>
  £6.99 for 120g at I Am Nut OK
 </sub>
</p>
<p>
 ★★★☆☆
</p>
<p>
 Very soft, and hard to extract from the packaging without smooshing it. Tastes like a fermented, very sharp, savoury, cheddary … cashew paste, which is exactly what it is. Has the fewest ingredients and could be an option for those looking for purity and good flavour, and are happy to sacrifice texture. Best spread on toast.
</p>
<p>
 ***
</p>
<h2>
 Bute Island Sheese cheddar flavour block
</h2>
<p>
 <sub>
  £2 for 200g at Ocado
 </sub>
 <sub>
  £2.49 for 200g at Alternative Stores
 </sub>
</p>
<p>
 ★★★☆☆
</p>
<p>
 Mild, gently tangy and impressively cheesy at first, with a good, creamy texture, too. Actually, perhaps the flavour is too mild because it gives way to a faint but detectable starchy finish. It comes in a block and cuts better than it crumbles, but is comprised of lots of processed ingredients.
</p>
<p>
 ***
</p>
<h2>
 M&S Plant Kitchen sliced mature style
</h2>
<p>
 <sub>
  £2.80 for 180g at Ocado
 </sub>
</p>
<p>
 ★★☆☆☆
</p>
<p>
 Looks more like those yellow-tile backing boards you find in your local B&Q than real food. Tastes somewhere between cold unsalted butter and the mild, sweet wrapped sliced cheese that I ate (and enjoyed) in the 1980s. The mouthfeel starts at polypropylene and transforms to cream. I ate one and didn’t hate it, but I didn’t feel particularly well afterwards, either.
</p>
<p>
 ***
</p>
<h2>
 Tesco Free From coconut oil mature cheddar alternative
</h2>
<p>
 <sub>
  £2.60 for 200g at Tesco
 </sub>
</p>
<p>
 ★★☆☆☆
</p>
<p>
 Tastes like ground powdered rice held together by fat. On checking the ingredients, it turns out I’m wrong about the rice – it is actually four different types of starch held together by water, coconut oil, a regulator and a phosphate. On the plus side, it has a nice, smooth and solid texture that not every plant-based cheddar can boast.
</p>
<p>
 ***
</p>
<h2>
 Nurishh cheddar flavour plant-based slices
</h2>
<p>
 <sub>
  £1.75 for 120g at Sainsbury’s
 </sub>
</p>
<p>
 ★★☆☆☆
</p>
<p>
 Comes in slices and tastes like the mild, buttery and plasticky love child of a Baby Bel and a Laughing Cow triangle, which is weird but apt, seeing as it’s produced by the same company that makes both those cheeses.
</p>
<p>
 ***
</p>
<h2>
 Applewood vegan block
</h2>
<p>
 <sub>
  £2.30 for 200g at Asda
 </sub>
 <sub>
  £2.45 for 200g at Waitrose
 </sub>
</p>
<p>
 ★☆☆☆☆
</p>
<p>
 Tastes of nothing until masticated vigorously. The texture is a touch rubbery and a touch powdery, and the flavour eventually makes an entrance as a not-unpleasant salty smokiness. Excellent firmness to the knife.
</p>
<p>
 ***
</p>
<h2>
 Violife Cheddarton
</h2>
<p>
 <sub>
  £2.75 for 200g at Ocado
 </sub>
 <sub>
  £2 for 200g at Asda
 </sub>
</p>
<p>
 ★☆☆☆☆
</p>
<p>
 Tangy and salty, but not in any discernible cheese- or cheddar-like way, plus it disintegrates into a disgusting powder in my mouth.
</p>

‘I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t feel particularly well afterwards’: the best (and worst) vegan cheese, tested

Unknown food and drink, foodies, product reviews, vegan diet, vegan food and cuisine

When I was asked to review plant-based cheeses, I thought twice about doing so. Although there are some companies, usually smaller operations, that make non-dairy cheese out of fermented nuts or soy…

Diet specialists offer advice on steering clear of common traps when following a plant-based diet, like consuming excessive amounts of processed items and not getting sufficient vitamins and minerals.
<p>
 Although prominent bodies like the American Medical Association and Harvard Medicine concur that a predominantly plant-based diet enhances heart health, physical well-being, and general wellness, one can still adopt an unhealthy lifestyle even when adhering strictly to a vegan regimen.
</p>
<p>
 Similar to other dietary approaches, it might be tempting to avoid nutrient-rich whole foods and choose heavily processed alternatives. Certain store-bought cookies, chips, and sweets could be labeled as vegan because they contain no animal-derived ingredients like butter, milk, eggs, or meat; however, this doesn’t automatically make them nutritious choices.
</p>
<p>
 Below are some typical methods of a
 vegan diet
 may not always be beneficial.
</p>
<p>
 Are you looking for insights into the most significant issues and developments globally? Find your answers here.
 SCMP Knowledge
 Our latest platform features handpicked content including explainers, FAQs, analyses, and infographics, all provided by our acclaimed team.
</p>
<h3>
 Too many processed foods
</h3>
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</div>
<p>
 Although a 2023 survey conducted by the American data firm Gallup revealed that the number of vegans in the United States hasn’t significantly increased since the early 2000s, the appetite for vegan items certainly has grown.
</p>
<p>
 According to a trend analysis conducted by the market research firm Technavio, the vegan food industry is projected to see significant growth of several billion dollars over the coming years.
</p>
<p>
 Currently, you are quite probable to encounter
 a plant-based Beyond Meat or Impossible Burger
 as a choice at a burger franchise, and you can load up on
 non-dairy ice cream
 , plant-based sausages, vegan alternatives for eggs, and non-dairy cheeses available at major American supermarkets as well as international stores.
</p>
<p>
 However, according to nutrition experts, swapping out animal-based items for plant-based substitutes might not necessarily lead to a healthier diet.
</p>
<div class="blockquote-quote">
 Simply because something is vegan, it doesn't automatically make it healthy.
</div>
<div class="blockquote-author">
 Will Cole, a practitioner of functional medicine and an author
</div>
<p>
 [A] very common mistake with a plant-based diet," notes Dr. Michelle Thompson, who specializes in lifestyle medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) in Pennsylvania, "is consuming excessive amounts of processed foods.
</p>
<p>
 "They might start their day with a bagel for breakfast, followed by a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, and end the day with a frozen vegetable burger for dinner. I advise folks to consume items derived from plants rather than those manufactured in facilities," she states.
</p>
<p>
 Many of these plant-based substitutes include food additives that categorize them as "
 ultra-processed
 category—which may result in metabolic problems and hormonal imbalances—including oils, modified food starches, and added sugars.
</p>
<p>
 "Simply being vegan does not guarantee that something is healthy," states Will Cole, a functional medicine physician and writer based in Pennsylvania.
</p>
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 <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1AKQwM" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1AKQwM.jpg"/>
</div>
<h3>
 Looking for an increase in vitamins and minerals
</h3>
<p>
 Individuals adhering to a vegan diet may face shortages of certain vitamins since several essential nutrients primarily originate from animal-based products.
</p>
<p>
 "No matter what you eat, some people still do not get all the essential vitamins and nutrients required for their daily needs," explains Alianna Anselmi, who leads the dietary team at Allegheny Health Network located in Pennsylvania and New York.
</p>
<p>
 Deficiencies in
 vitamin B12
 and
 iron
 Vitamin B12 deficiencies are more frequent with a vegan diet. This vitamin aids in producing red blood cells and ensures proper nerve function; signs of insufficiency might involve numbness in the fingers or hands. Iron plays a vital role in blood formation and oxygen transport within the body, impacting your energy levels if concentrations fall below normal.
</p>
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 <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1AKTa1" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1AKTa1.jpg"/>
</div>
<p>
 Those following a
 plant-based diet
 One can obtain Vitamin B12 from enriched food items like nutritional yeast, soy milk, breakfast cereals, and vegetarian meat substitutes, according to Caroline Passerrello, a dietitian and nutritionist affiliated with the Pitt School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in Pennsylvania.
</p>
<p>
 Vegetarians can obtain B12 from dairy products and eggs as well.
</p>
<p>
 "For omega-3 fatty acids,
 linseed, chia seeds, and walnuts
 Are choices," Passerrello states. "Regarding iron, eating foods such as lentils,
 tofu
 and
 spinach
 Along with a source of vitamin C — such as bell peppers or oranges — this can enhance the body’s ability to absorb plant-based iron more effectively.
</p>
<p>
 Some dietitians also encourage
 vitamin supplementation
 when adhering to a vegan diet.
</p>
<p>
 Cole states, 'I don’t think a vegan diet offers the highest nutritional density for most individuals, but given our current era, thanks to supplements and readily available foods, we can create an optimal vegan meal plan tailored to personal preferences. It’s entirely possible to craft a nutritious and easily absorbable vegan diet.'
</p>
<h3>
 Too many refined carbs
</h3>
<p>
 A lot of bread items are vegan – and quite tasty – which might result in relying too heavily on carbohydrates, followed by a potential energy slump.
</p>
<p>
 Cole points out that some vegans rely heavily on carbohydrates for energy since these are more accessible and pleasurable for the human body—they taste good and activate reward centers in the brain. However, he adds that this approach might not necessarily promote sustained energy levels or overall well-being over time.
</p>
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 <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1AL0pk" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1AL0pk.jpg"/>
</div>
<p>
 It's not about eliminating everything
 junk food
 , carbohydrates and sugars, but rather about being more deliberate regarding the origins of your food and considering it in a well-rounded manner.
</p>
<p>
 This is one aspect of what Thompson covers in lifestyle medicine, which emphasizes
 food as medicine
 .
</p>
<p>
 She might occasionally advise her patients to liken their bodies to cars, pondering over what they require to function smoothly and efficiently.
</p>
<p>
 "If you add sugar to the fuel tank and motor oil into the reservoir meant for the windscreen washer fluid, obviously the vehicle will perform badly," she explains.
</p>
<p>
 They shouldn’t be surviving off packaged goods; we’d rather see their expenses going towards supermarkets rather than drugstores.
</p>
<h3>
 Gut health overlooked
</h3>
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 <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1AKTak" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1AKTak.jpg"/>
</div>
<p>
 Doctors such as Thompson and Cole in functional medicine dedicate significant time to enhancing their patients' gut health.
</p>
<p>
 A discontented digestive system has been associated with
 anxiety and depression
 ,
 irritable bowl syndrome
 , inflammation and hormonal imbalances. Similar to any dietary choice, adopting a vegan lifestyle may not yield benefits if your gut health is compromised.
</p>
<p>
 Cole often says, "You need to connect with your instincts wherever they stand."
</p>
<p>
 He states, 'We become what we take in.' And if your digestive system isn’t functioning optimally... then you must consider whether your food is being used effectively by your body when you treat your meals like medication.
</p>
<p>
 A lot of foods that inherently do not contain animal products are also rich in
 FODMAPs, which stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols
 Bacteria in the intestines thrive when they break down high-FODMAP foods, which leads to poor absorption of these substances by our bodies. Consequently, this may result in an imbalance within your gut microbiota and trigger symptoms such as constipation, cramps, diarrhea, excessive gas, and bloating.
</p>
<p>
 Wheat gluten, legumes, garlic, onions, cashew nuts, bananas, apples
 broccoli
 And processed soy proteins are merely a few instances of Fodmap-rich foods — items that might be everyday necessities for those following a vegan diet.
</p>
<p>
 This might place individuals following a vegan lifestyle due to moral beliefs in an awkward position. Cole occasionally advises his patients to adopt a more meat-centric diet when aiming to recover from gastrointestinal issues; however, this poses challenges for vegans dealing with similar concerns.
</p>
<h3>
 A sign of a broader pattern
</h3>
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 <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1AKOln" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1AKOln.jpg"/>
</div>
<p>
 According to Cole, the issues faced by people adhering to plant-based diets stem from a broader tendency towards highly processed foods aimed at providing more convenience and reducing costs.
</p>
<p>
 As a society, we are confronting epidemic-levels of
 intestinal well-being and problems related to gut bacteria
 , leading to various inflammatory health issues," he explains. "Our ancestors, going back to our grandparents and great-grandparents, never encountered the substances we are now exposed to.
</p>
<p>
 Herbicides, pesticides,
 forever chemicals
 ,
 microplastics
 And ultra-processed components have been garnering increased scrutiny as potential contributors to chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and hormonal issues.
</p>
<p>
 "Blaming the plant-based diet isn’t entirely fair; instead, we should consider the significant impact of the assault on both our own microbiomes and those found in the soil,” says Cole. “This disruption hinders the ability of the human body to effectively process and absorb nutrients. So, this issue shouldn’t be seen primarily as related to plant-based diets but rather as a broader concern for overall human health.”
</p>
<h3>
 Be open to change
</h3>
<p>
 Cole, Thompson, and Anselmi do not recommend a particular diet for every one of their patients.
</p>
<p>
 Thompson emphasizes that each person is unique, hence having varying requirements—much like individual eyeglass prescriptions.
</p>
<p>
 Anselmi expresses her hope that vegans won’t be deterred from consulting a dietitian if they seek advice. “There are numerous excellent plant-based dietitians who can help ensure this dietary approach remains both nourishing and engaging,” she states.
</p>
<p>
 Nobody will dictate how you must approach this," Thompson states. "Just because you've followed one dietary pattern throughout your life doesn’t mean it has to be permanent.
</p>
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Why a Vegan Diet Isn't Always Healthy: Expert Tips to Get It Right

Unknown diet and nutrition, healthy eating, healthy living, nutrition, vegan diet