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Tipping Points:

• Cholesterol-free with less saturated fat

• Higher dosage of iron and vitamins A and D than dairy milk

• Great source of potassium, riboflavin, zinc, vitamin B12, fiber, essential amino acids, and isoflavones

• Does not contain casein

• Loaded with bio-active components, which are thought to maintain healthy bones, relieve menopausal symptoms and hot flashes, and prevent prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers79

Bitchworthy Brand: Silk soy milk comes in vanilla and chocolate flavors.

www.silksoymilk.com

ALMOND MILK

Made from ground almonds, almond milk has a sweet, nutty taste and creamy consistency that is perfect for smoothies, beverages, and desserts. I prefer the unsweetened version, which tastes the closest to cow’s milk, for savory dishes and baking.

Tipping Points:

• Cholesterol-, lactose- and casein-free with less saturated fat than cow’s milk

• High in antioxidants and vitamin D, which aid in the absorption of calcium and help to build strong bones80

• Studies have shown that the balance of protein, “good” fats, and fiber found in almonds helps you lose weight

Bitchworthy Brand: Almond Breeze is light on calories and comes in original, lactose-free, and unsweetened. www.bluediamond.com

BITCHIONARY: CASEIN

A PROTEIN FOUND IN COW’S MILK AND USED INDEPENDENTLY IN MANY FOODS AS A BINDING AGENT. IN THE CHINA STUDY, T. COLIN CAMPBELL FOUND THAT THE PROTEIN—FOUND IN 87 PERCENT OF COW’S MILK—PROMOTED CANCER IN ALL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.81

RICE MILK

Another popular dairy substitute, rice milk is derived from brown rice. Generally sweet and fairly watery, rice milk has an almost translucent quality.

Tipping Points:

• Boasts very little fat

• Often fortified to be a good source of calcium

• Great source of carbohydrates but isn’t rich in nutrients except when it’s fortified

Bitchworthy Brand: Rice Dream Organic is fortified in calcium, and vitamins A and D. www.tastethedream.com

HEMP MILK

Calm down, pothead. Fairly new to the U.S., hemp milk is made from the seeds of the hemp plant, but it doesn’t contain THC (the psychoactive element of marijuana). It is creamier than soy or almond milk and tends to be a bit thicker. The nutty flavor makes this substitute another good candidate for baking, smoothies, and desserts.

Tipping Points:

• Contains no soy, gluten, sugar, or cholesterol

• Concentrated in vitamins A, B12, D, and E; magnesium; iron; zinc; beta-carotene; phosphorus; riboflavin; and the omegas

• Studies have shown that hemp milk helps strengthen your immune system and heart, increase your mental capacity, and make for clearer skin, hair, and nails.

• May be more digestible than soy protein because it contains no oligosaccharides82

Bitchworthy Brand: Living Harvest Hempmilk is a great source of the omegas with less sugar. All five varieties are non-GMO and dairy-and soy-free.

www.livingharvest.com

HUNGRY FOR CALCIUM?

SOME STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT WE ABSORB 75 PERCENT MORE CALCIUM FROM SOY MILK THAN DAIRY MILK 83

THE SKINNY: CHEESE

New and Improved Vegan Cheese Alternatives

Becoming a vegan was an easy choice for me. But like most people who make the leap from vegetarian to vegan, giving up cheese was about as easy as helping a kid with his algebra homework (x + y = what?!). There is just something about the way cheese melts in your mouth that always makes it the last to bite the dust.

Here’s the deal: Cheese was in every recipe I loved, every meal on the restaurant menu, and every drawer I opened in the fridge. Would I like some cheese with my wine? You bet your ass I would.

When I gave it up, I had a temporary meltdown, searching the Internet for addiction centers that catered to dairy abuse. (P.S. There are none to my knowledge.) Still, before I volunteered for an intervention, I made the decision to try to embrace my new lifestyle choice and find a way to still get my cheese fix. With the cow as my witness.

Then I discovered vegan cheese. And I cried.