Learn how to dip into plant-based, vegan yogurt alternatives as a healthy, delicious plant-powered option for your day with these 5 Best Vegan Yogurt Tips.
Plant-based diets are good for your body and the planet. And if you’re trying to power up on plants more often, one way you can do that is to make the switch to plant-based vegan yogurt alternatives. They can offer a tasty, versatile, nutritious plant-based alternative to dairy-based yogurts. Beyond good taste, I’m also looking for powerful nutrition in my plant-based yogurts, from vegan Greek yogurt to vegan flavored yogurts. If you choose wisely, plant-based yogurts can provide protein, calcium, vitamin D, and live active cultures to your day. But many vegan yogurt brands can be skimpy on the nutrients, which is why I suggest you turn over the label and read the ingredients list.
Now days, you can find vegan yogurts made out of plants like coconut, almond, soy, rice, oats, and more. But it’s important to look for a plant-based yogurt that not only tastes good, but contains a positive lineup of nutrients and ingredients. I look for a high protein vegan yogurt (around 6 g per serving), live and active cultures, no artificial colors or flavors, and low amounts of added sugars. You can dip into plant-based yogurt as a snack or compliment to breakfast, but you can also enjoy it in numerous other ways.
Vegan Yogurt Brands
Here are a few vegan yogurt brands you can find in your local supermarket:
- Anita’s has coconut based yogurts
- Ayo has almond based yogurts
- Chobani has coconut and oat based yogurts
- Cocojune has coconut based yogurts
- Culina has coconut based yogurts
- Dream has almond and coconut based yogurts
- Forager has cashew based yogurts
- Kite Hill has almond based yogurts
- Lavva has yogurts based on pili nuts, coconut, and cassava
- LeGrand has coconut based yogurts
- Nancy’s has soy based yogurts
- Oatly has oat based yogurts
- Oui has coconut based yogurts
- Siggi’s has coconut based yogurts
- Silk has soy or almond based yogurts
- So Delicious has coconut milk based yogurts
- The Coconut Cult has coconut based yogurts
My 5 Top Ways to Do Plant-Based Yogurt Alternatives
Try these strategies for using plant-based yogurt alternatives to power your healthy eating all day long.
1. Do Breakfast.
Just pop the lid on a plant-based yogurt alternative, top it with cereal and fruit, and you’ve got a breakfast meal in one. Try hot cereal, whole grain flakes, muesli, or granola in your breakfast yogurt bowl, topped with seasonal fruit (berries and stone fruit in the summer, apples and persimmons in the fall, pomegranates and dried fruit in the winter) and a sprinkle of flax seeds and nuts for a dose of healthy fats and protein.
2. Plant-Powered Dessert Magic.
Try plant-based yogurt alternatives as a subtly sweet, creamy ingredient in plant-based desserts. Stir it into banana pudding, trifle, and strawberry shortcake (featured in my book Plant-Powered for Life). You can also use plant-based yogurt alternatives as a topping on fruit salads, cakes, bars, and brownies.
3. Savory Cooking.
Turn to plain, unsweetened, unflavored plant-based yogurt for savory recipes that call for plain yogurt, such as Tzatziki, dips, and casseroles. Whenever you read a recipe that calls for plain yogurt, you can pull out your tub of plain plant-based yogurt alternative. I love to make yogurt dressings to pour over my salads and bowls, too.
4. Layer it On Thick.
Make a healthy dessert parfait by layering vanilla plant-based yogurt, fruit, nuts, and granola. Try a variety of seasonal fruits, such as berries, peaches, mangos, papaya, pineapple, and melons. Use a mason jar to show off your layers and provide a handy container for toting for lunch or snacks.
5. Smoothie Magic.
Add plain or flavored plant-based yogurt to your next smoothie for a creamy nutritious kick. Just spoon in one small tub with your favorite green veggies and fruits and push the button.
For other tips on eating a healthy, plant-based diet, check out the following:Â
5 Tips for Plant-Powering Your Eating Style
Spring into Fresh Healthy Eating
9 Tips for Plant-Based Eating on a Budget
6 Simple Tips for Eating More Plant-Based Meals
Top 5 Tips for Greening Your Plate
