Taste Test: Vegan Cheese

In response to the rise in allergies as well as in direct for nondairy cheeses, numerous vegan cheeses are now widely available. Vegan cheeses can be made from the accumulation of ingredients, similar to soy, tapioca, rice as well as almonds. Find out if these vegan cheeses measure up in season as well as nutrition.

The Criteria

We tried out cheddar-flavored vegan cheeses from assorted companies. Each cheese was rated on the scale of 1 to 5 (5 being highest). The ratings are based on taste, mouth feel, cost, nutrition (specifically calories, fat, sodium as well as calcium) as well as ingredients.

Daiya Cheddar Style Slices
Rating: 3.0
Cost: 64 cents per ounce

Per serving (1 slice, 20 g): Calories 60; Fat 4.5 g (Saturated 2 g); Sodium 115 mg; Protein 1 g; Calcium: 0% DV

This cheese is free of lactose, casein, gluten, soy as well as cholesterol. The season doesnt really resemble which of cheddar, though the mouth feel is nice. Like many other vegan cheese brands, it doesnt contain any combined nutrients, similar to calcium. It does, however, contain carrageenan, which the Center for Science in the Public Interest lists as an ingredient to be cautious of, as studies have related it to certain forms of abdominal cancer as well as ulcerations in animals.

Go Veggie Cheddar Style Singles
Rating: 4.5
Cost: 63 cents per ounce

Per serving (1 slice, 17 g): Calories 40; Fat 3 g (Saturated 0 g); Sodium 150 mg; Protein 3 g; Calcium 20% DV

This cheese promotes itself as being lactose- as well as soy-free, though it does contain casein, which is the divert protein (so it is not dairy-free or vegan). The base of the cheese is made of rice, as well as it has similar characteristics as popular dairy-filled cheese slices. This cheese is the only one of the bunch which is fortified with the accumulation of vitamins as well as minerals, including calcium; vitamins E, A, C as well as B12; iron as well as folic acid. It also contains carrageenan, which is tough to replace in these types of cheeses.

Lisanatti Almond Cheddar Style Cheese
Rating: 4.5
Cost: 62 cents per ounce

Per serving (1 ounce, twenty-eight g): Calories 50; Fat 4 g (Saturated 0 g); Sodium 210 mg; Protein 6 g; Calcium 20% DV

This almond-based cheese contains no cholesterol, GMOs, lactose, saturated fats or gluten. It has much more protein compared with the other vegan cheeses. It also contains 20 percent of the recommended daily volume of calcium, some which substantially comes from the almond as well as some through fortification. It does contain casein, the divert protein, so those with the divert allergy should not consume it. The flavor, which is robust with the small sweetness, resembles which of cheese as well as is quite pleasant. This cheese contains recognizable ingredients as well as has fewer ingredients than many of the other brands.

Tofutti All American
Rating: 3.5
Cost: 46 cents per ounce

Per serving (1 slice, 19 g): Calories 80; Fat 6 g (Saturated 3 g); Sodium 290 mg; Protein 2 g; Calcium: 0% DV

This is an additional soy-based cheese which contains no dairy, cholesterol or gluten. It is also certified as kosher. The mouth feel closely resembles which of dairy-filled cheese slices, as well as the season is neutral. The ingredient list does include carrageenan, as well as the sodium is also the top of the bunch. There are no combined vitamins or minerals in this cheese, either. The cost, however, is the lowest of all the cheeses reviewed here.

Follow Your Heart Cheddar Vegan Gourmet
Rating: 2.0
Cost: 55 cents per ounce

Per serving (1 ounce, twenty-eight g): Calories 70; Fat 7 g (Saturated 0 g); Sodium 170 mg; Protein 1 g; Calcium 0% DV

This vegan cheese is certified kosher, Non-GMO Project Verified, as well as dairy- as well as gluten-free. It is made from soy as well as chicory root, as well as also contains carrageenan. The mouth feel resembles which of tofu taken from the package, very moist, as well as the smell is unpleasant. The cheese crumbled easily when the package was gently pressed. It also contains more fat than the other brands, from canola oil, as well as contains no combined vitamins or minerals.

Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN, is the registered dietitian as well as expert who specializes in food reserve as well as culinary nutrition. She is the author of The Greek Yogurt Kitchen: More Than 130 Delicious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Day.