Cheese is addictive: how to cut it out for good

For a lot of people trying to transition to veganism, or even just removing dairy from their diet, cutting out cheese is seen as the hardest part of the process. It's one of the most common reasons people give for not switching to veganism and for not giving up dairy. But giving up cheese is so important. More and more now, people are starting to realise how awful dairy production is for cows, for the environment, and for our own bodies. We're simply not designed to consume milk beyond infancy, especially that of another species.

But I love cheese! I can't imagine my life without it! I can't go a day without eating cheese!

I once felt this way, and I know so many others who are facing the same problem. We're accustomed to topping nearly everything we eat with cheese. We can't imagine eating pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads without it. Have you ever wondered why that is?

Well, recent research has found that cheese is addictive. That's why it's so hard to give up. But cheese addiction, like any addiction, is possible to break. And luckily, cheese addiction is one of the easiest to let go of. There are so many alternatives out there to try, but if they're out of your price range, you can make your own fairly cheap.

Saying cheese is addictive is a pretty hefty claim, but there is a scientific basis for this assertion. Of course, for every scientific study released into the realm of journalism, there will be a conflicting scientific study saying the first was totally false. Personal experience, though, has lead me to believe that the cheese certainly feels difficult to give up at first, whatever the reason may be.

Cheese contains something called casomorphins. Casomorphins are protein fragments derived from the digestion of casein, a milk protein commonly found in cheese. According to some sources, casomorphins have addictive properties comparable to those of opiates such as codeine and morphine.

If you're unconvinced about the addictive properties of casomorphins in cheese, consider the high fat content of dairy products. People suffering from food addiction often gravitate towards foods with a very high fat content, such as fried foods, oily food, meat, chocolate and - of course - dairy. According to some studies, high-fat and high-sugar foods are addictive and, when suddenly eliminated from the diet, may evoke depression-like symptoms.

Despite all of these claims about addiction, it's not impossible to remove cheese from your diet. If you are genuinely concerned about your health, our environment, and the welfare of farmed animals, the following advice may help you cut out dairy products for good. And even if the addiction claims are entirely false, it's still true that people find cheese hard to cut from their diets and that dairy just isn't meant for human consumption.

"In western society, cheese is essentially a dietary staple. Tradition, like addiction, can be hard to break - but the availability of vegan cheese alternatives makes things much easier."

The issue of addiction goes hand-in-hand with the issue of tradition. In western society, cheese is essentially a dietary staple. Tradition, like addiction, can be hard to break - but the availability of vegan cheese alternatives makes things much easier.

For those looking to transition from vegetarianism to veganism, I have another useful article on that exact topic, which you can find here. It offers advice for cutting out dairy products, eggs, honey, and other animal products featured in the average vegetarian diet.

Cashews can be used to make delicious, creamy cheese alternatives

But if you're more interested, specifically, in cutting out cheese, here is a list of alternatives you could try. I have included brands purchasable in the three countries (the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia) that make up my blog's main audience.

United States: Chao, Daiya, Tofutti, Go Veggie!, Follow Your Heart

UK: Violife, Vegusto, Sheese, VBites, Tesco Free From

Australia: Daiya, Cheezley, Sheese, Biocheese, Tofutti

Of course, there are many other dairy-free cheese makers out there. If you're looking for other alternatives, Google is your friend!

If you're looking for a healthier cheese alternative, you could always try making your own. Vegan cheese can be made at home with common household ingredients. There's cashew cheese, almond cheese, macadamia cheese - the list goes on. And there is a seemingly endless list of different flavours and types of cheese to try - chilli cheese, Gouda, parmesan, black sesame, nacho cheese, feta, mozzarella, brie, pepper jack, and much more. Why not give them a go?

You can find a list of vegan cheese recipes here.

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Sources: 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9216246

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0117959

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/98684/20151023/cheese-is-addictive-as-drug-dairy-product-triggers-brain-region-linked-to-addiction.htm

https://skepticalvegan.com/2012/08/10/cheese-addiction/

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/12December/Pages/High-fat-food-addictive.aspx

A medley of delicious and diverse vegan pizza ideas

When I first considered becoming vegan, I was hesitant. I am, and was, a lover of food. I mean, I really, really like to eat good food, and - like many people - I especially like to eat junk every now and then. So, I thought: if I go vegan, I'll miss out on so much. No more chocolate, no more ice cream, no more pizza...

Pfft! How wrong I was. In fact, becoming vegan has driven my love for food even higher. I'm passionate about making my own meals and have come to savour every bite of what I eat. And what's that about pizza? I eat more now than I ever did as a vegetarian! You don't need dairy cheese to make a damn good pizza pie.

So, without further ado, here is a list I've compiled of awesome vegan pizza recipes from all corners of the internet, with a few of my own ideas thrown in. Bon appetite.

A healthy choice

When we think of pizza, the word healthy doesn't often come to mind. We typically associate pizza with lots of cheese, lots of sauce, and lots of fat. But it doesn't have to be this way. A pizza with a wholemeal base topped with piles of veggies is delicious and packed full of vitamins. Try these toppings on for size:

- Homemade marinara sauce (recipe here)
- Spinach
- Onion
- Pineapple
- Broccoli
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Chia Seeds
- Avocado

A not-so-healthy choice

Healthy isn't always the most important thing. Sometimes, delicious takes centre-stage instead. This three-cheese pizza is made with processed cheese and lots of oil, but it tastes too damn good for me to care. Of course, you should probably avoid eating this too often. If health is a concern, leave this one for special occasions.

You can use any three cheeses you like - including homemade if you prefer a healthier option - but here are some suggested brands that are available in Australian supermarkets.

- Daiya mozzarella cheese
- Shredded MyLife Biocheese, cheddar flavour
- Cheezly (various flavours)

This recipe is very simple, but you could always jazz it up a bit. All you need is a standard pizza base, some store-bought marinara sauce (which is usually vegan) and bake it so the three cheeses melt over the top. Feel free to add any other toppings you enjoy.

Simple vegan pizza (from The Minimalist Baker)

Some people just aren't great at cooking. I'm one of them. Some people also don't have access to expensive or exotic ingredients. I'm one of those people, too. If you fit one or both of these definitions, The Minimalist Baker's recipe is right for you. It's easy to prepare and the ingredients are cheap and widely available.

The Minimilast Baker also offers a 1-minute, homemade vegan parmesan cheese recipe, which looks and tastes awesome on the simple vegan pizza.

Check out the recipe here.



Buffalo chickpea pizza (from Vegan Richa)

Just the title of this one makes my mouth water. I've never heard of anything like it before, but I'm always on the lookout for new flavour experiences!

This recipe is a little more complicated than the others, but I'm sure it's worth it. It's perfect for people who love a lot of flavour. This unique pizza is topped with sriracha hot sauce, olive oil, black pepper, Italian herbs, ranch seasoning, celery seeds, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder... the works! If you're looking for a flavour explosion, this is where you'll find it.

Go here for the recipe.

Spicy Indian-style pizza (from Oh Dear Drea)

Here's another flavour-rich option for vegans who love everything hot and spicy! Indian cuisine is one of my favourites, and I'm pretty much addicted to Naan bread, so this pizza sounds absolutely amazing.

The recipe uses non-vegan yoghurt and non-vegan Naan bread, but these can easily be replaced with vegan alternatives. There are a few brands of vegan Naan bread available in supermarkets, but if you can't find anything, you could always make your own. Here's a recipe for vegan Naan bread.

If you can't handle too much spice, don't fret. The pizza uniquely uses mango as a topping, which should offset some of the spiciness.

Read the recipe here.

White wild mushroom pizza (from Chef Chloe)

Mushrooms are my favourite pizza topping ever. If I could afford it, I'd order ten times the amount of mushrooms on my takeaway pizza. But two dollars per extra topping is highway robbery! That's why it's much better to make your own at home!

The concept of wild mushrooms sounds a little fancy, but the recipe is much simpler than it seems. The outcome, though, looks very professional.

Chef Chloe's recipe can be found here.

Roasted veggie & black bean Mexican-style pizza (from Connoisseurus Veg)

Here is another unique and flavoursome recipe for lovers of spice. This recipe boasts blended black beans, a garden of healthy roasted vegetables and tahini nacho cheese. Have a look at the photos on the website - this pizza looks spectacular.

According to the writer, this pizza is like a plate of nachos in pizza form. For takeaway food lovers, I can't think of anything much better. As an extra plus, compared to your average takeaway pizza or nachos, this recipe is healthy and vitamin-rich.

Check out the recipe on the Connoisseurus Veg website.

P.S. Damn, Connoisseurus Veg is a creative name. I wish I'd come up with that.

Banana Split Dessert Pizza (from Breast Cancer Maven)

Once you've finished eating all your savoury, spicy, cheesy pizza, you'll probably be hanging for something a little sweeter. This banana split dessert pizza from Breast Cancer Maven is exactly what you'll need.

Topped with banana, strawberries, chia seeds and a healthy chocolate ganache, berries, coconut shreds, and anything else you think would work, this recipe is perfect for fulfilling those after-dinner dessert cravings. It's gluten-free, too, and fairly healthy if you top it with a medley of fruits.

See the recipe here.

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I hope you've enjoyed the options I've presented here. Please let me know if you find any other unique and diverse vegan pizza recipes. I want to try them all!

For now, start cooking :)