What's Available in the Eggnog Aisle for Dairy-Free and Vegan Diets

Alisa Fleming ~ Did you know that there are almost more brands of Dairy-Free and Vegan Eggnog on the market than dairy-filled ones? How cool is that? In stores like Whole Foods, non-dairy nog actually dominates the shelves, but have no fear, you can find many of these delights at “regular” grocery stores, too. The shelf-stable ones (which I will note) can even be purchased online.

Unfortunately for eggnog traditionalists and lactose intolerant dairy-free consumers who are not vegan, the market currently lacks eggnogs that are simply dairy-free (I haven't found any as of yet, anyway). In other words, all of the dairy-free “egg” nogs are also egg-free and vegan. This doesn’t make them any less delicious, but it does put them an extra degree of separation away from the traditional.

The creamy dairy-free holiday beverages don’t stop [not-so-traditional] eggnog either. I’ve included some other seasonal sips below that you might enjoy, too. That all said, here are some nog-a-licious dairy-free AND vegan options ...

Silk Nog by Silk Soymilk (refrigerated) – The brand that started the vegan nog tradition.

Holly Nog by Vitasoy (shelf-stable) – They don’t heavily promote it on their website like the others, but trust me, it’s out there in stores!

Earth Balance Organic Soy Nog (refrigerated) – Earth Balance upped the nog ante in 2011 with an organic soy-based version.

Nog Coconut Milk by So Delicious (refrigerated) – Yes, dairy-free, soy-free coconut-based nog does exist!

Rice Nog by Rice Dream (shelf-stable) – Another tasty soy-free (and nut-free) option. They don't list it on their website (at last check), but it is sold in many stores and online.

To note, I have trialed two of the above brands, both very different from one another. You can see my review here: Comparison of Rice Nog and Silk Nog.

Peppermint Chocolate Non-Dairy Beverage by Vitasoy (shelf-stable)

Pumpkin Spice Non-Dairy Beverages by Silk Soymilk (refrigerated) – Pictured above with the their soy nog.

Mint Chocolate Non-Dairy Beverages by Silk Soymilk (refrigerated) – Pictured above with their soy nog.

Mint Chocolate Coconut Milk by So Delicious (refrigerated) - Pictured below.

Did I miss any? Feel free to send me an email!

Article, recipe, and photos by Alisa Fleming, founder of GoDairyFree.org and author of Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living. Alisa is also a freelance writer for several publications, with an emphasis on creating recipes for various types of special diets.

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Diets to Lose Weight Fast - How to Diet

Almost weekly, new diets to lose weight fast hit the market. They may work temporarily, but usually aren't effective in the long haul. Also, it's important not to count the latest best-selling diet among healthy ways to lose weight.

Have you considered "The Omega Diet"? This is a nutrition-based diet adapted from people living on the Island of Crete.

Healthy Ways to Lose Weight

The Omega weight-loss diet offers two plans. One is a 1,500- calorie diet that encourages gradual weight loss and 1,200-calorie diets to lose weight fast.

In scoping out healthy ways to lose weight, one will observe that exercise is literally a section of this food pyramid! Exercise is that important. Exercise complements diets to lose weight fast. It firms and tones your muscles and helps you maintain your healthy weight.

Foods on the Omega Diet

First, there are no unhealthy drugs, which serve to trick your subconscious into thinking you are full. It's just chock-full of high-fiber, low-calorie foods that fill you up.

A typical 1,200 per day menu looks like this:

Breakfast:

2 cottage cheese pancakes

2 T maple syrup

½ t. canola butter

Lunch:

Veggie-burger on multi-grain bun with lettuce and tomato.

1 T canola oil mayonnaise

6 oz vegetable juice

Dinner:

3 oz. skin-less roasted, skin-less chicken breast

½ cup cooked couscous

Green salad with 2-tsp. olive oil vinaigrette

Breakfast and lunch will average about 300 calories; dinner about 500 calories; leaving about 100 calories for healthy snacks.

Here are several 50 calorie healthy snacks:

1 medium peach

1 medium nectarine

4 walnut halves

¼ medium cantaloupe

¾ cup fresh berries

½ ounce of cheese

Dietary Guidelines

American diets are imbalanced. They are too high in omega-6 fatty acids and too low in omega-3 fatty acids. The Omega Diet rectified this by enriching meals with healthy omega 3's. Unless you eat fatty fish at least two times per week, take natural supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids.

Use canola oil or olive oil as your principal oil. Canola oil is low in saturated fat, trans-fatty acids and omega-6 and high in fatty acids and the plant form of omega-3 fatty acids.

Olive oil is a rich tasting healthy oil, which you may find yourself craving! It is lowest oil in saturated fat, high in fatty acids and low in omega-6. However, it does not contain omega-3 fatty acids, so that you will need to obtain them from fish or supplements.

Enjoy seven or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. It is most unfortunate the average American only eats 3.5 servings per day. Follow European's healthy ways to weight loss by snacking on fresh fruit instead of junk food. Choose fruit for dessert. Eat a minimum of one green salad daily. When you dine out, ordering vegetarian will accomplish the fastest way to weight loss.

Definitely eat more beans, peas and nuts. Nuts, walnuts in particular, are an excellent health food. They will spoil quickly due to omega-3 fatty acids, store in freezer.

Peas and beans may be used as a meat substitute on a tight budget. They are high-fiber and contain vitamins, protein and minerals.

Finally, avoid trans-fatty acids and saturated fat.

Among diets to lose weight fast, which promote healthy ways to lose weight, the Omega is quite people-friendly.

Scott C Brunne would like to show you how to lose weight by using the purest and most effective Nutritional Products available on the market today. You would be surprised how easy it is to learn how to lose weight and live a longer and happy life, all by using this simple ultimate Lose Weight Program.

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