By Lisa MarcAurele, Food Drink Life

Dairy alternatives are becoming a go-to choice for consumers who want simple solutions for dietary restrictions. From creamy almond milk to rich oat-based yogurt, these alternatives replicate the taste and texture of traditional dairy, making them a convenient option for those following plant-based diets or managing dairy sensitivities. With so many delicious choices available, switching to dairy free doesn’t mean giving up your favorite foods.

What are dairy alternatives?

These days, you can find alternatives for nearly every dairy product like milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream. Plant milks, such as almond, soy and oat milk, are among the most popular. These options offer creaminess for drinks like lattes and work well in baking.

Plant-based cheeses and butters are also in high demand. Cheese alternatives now come in various styles like shredded and sliced as well as spreadable soft cheese. Many brands rely on nuts, soy or coconut oil to replicate traditional cheese textures.

Vegan yogurts made from coconut, almond or soy bases are popular, too. They are available in various flavors, including vanilla and berry. You’ll also find a variety of non-dairy ice creams, puddings and cakes in grocery stores. These days, going dairy free doesn’t mean giving up your favorite treats.

Popularity of dairy substitutes

Thanks to their versatility and widespread availability, dairy substitutes have become a kitchen staple for millions. Plant-based options offer a delicious solution, whether you’re lactose intolerant, cutting back on animal products or simply following food trends. From vegan whipped cream for your morning coffee to oat-based ice creams for dessert, the choices are endless.

Related Articles

Recipe: Here’s how to make a King Cake for your Mardi Gras celebration

Recipes: Think you hate tofu? Try making these 3 dishes

Highlights among new foods at Allianz Field this season

At 62, Alton Brown seeks fresh, creative recipes in life

Award worthy: Visiting St. Paul’s three James Beard semifinalist restaurants

Health is a major motivator for many. Lactose intolerance affects a significant portion of the population, and dairy alternatives offer relief from discomfort without compromising on taste. Others choose dairy-free products for environmental reasons since plant-based options generally have a lower carbon footprint.

Beyond health and sustainability, the sheer variety and convenience of these products appeal to consumers. Grocery stores are stocked with options like soy milk, cashew cheese and coconut yogurt, making it easy to find something that suits your taste and dietary needs.

Types of dairy-free milk

Plant-based milk refers to a broad range of options, including soy, coconut and hemp milk. Soy milk stands out for its protein content. According to Very Well Health, coconut milk, while lower in protein, contains medium-chain triglycerides that may provide health benefits. Healthline also provides that hemp milk, though less common, is rich in omega fatty acids.

Nut milks are among the most popular due to their creamy texture. Almond milk is a favorite for its low-calorie count and versatility, while cashew milk is mildly sweet and often blended with oats for extra creaminess. Lesser-known options like pistachio and macadamia milks offer more choices.

Oat milk has soared in popularity for its thicker texture and mild taste making it a great option for creamy drinks like hot chocolate. Rice milk is another grain-based option, offering a naturally sweet flavor and lighter consistency, making it perfect for cereals and smoothies. Though lower in protein, rice milk is easy to digest and suitable for those with allergies.

Seed-based milks, such as flax and sunflower, are excellent alternatives for those avoiding nuts and grains. Flax milk is rich in omega-3s and blends seamlessly into recipes. Sunflower seed milk, with its nutty flavor and allergen-friendly profile, is gaining attention as a versatile option.

Blended milks combine multiple plant-based ingredients to create well-rounded alternatives. For example, a cashew-oat blend offers the creaminess of cashews with the thick texture of oats, making it ideal for cooking, baking or drinking on its own.

Cheese and yogurt

Finding good non-dairy cheese used to be a challenge, but today’s options are more sophisticated than ever. From tangy cashew spreads to firm almond-based slices, there’s a plant-based cheese for every preference and recipe. You can even make a dairy-free macaroni and cheese that tastes like the real thing.

Non-dairy yogurt is another booming category. Options made from coconut, almond, soy and oat milk provide a range of textures and flavors. Coconut yogurt is particularly thick and creamy, making it ideal for parfaits and smoothies, while almond and soy yogurts offer neutral flavors suitable for cooking or enjoying on their own.

Butter and cream substitutes

Butter and cream are essential in many kitchens, and thankfully, dairy-free alternatives deliver comparable results. Plant-based margarines work well for spreading and baking, while coconut oil excels in frying and adding richness to dishes.

Cashew cream is a popular choice for its mild flavor and creamy texture. It’s perfect for thickening soups, sauces or even desserts. Oat-based creams are also gaining traction, offering a texture similar to heavy cream. With these options, dairy-free cooking and baking have never been easier.

Ice cream without dairy

Non-dairy ice cream has come a long way, offering indulgent, creamy textures that rival traditional versions. Cashew, almond and coconut milk-based ice creams come in a variety of flavors, from classic vanilla to decadent chocolate fudge.

The best part? These treats are now widely available in supermarkets. Whether you’re craving something sweet after dinner or need a refreshing treat on a hot day, non-dairy ice cream has you covered.

Dairy-free condiments and sauces

Creamy condiments and sauces often contain dairy, but plenty of dairy-free versions exist. Vegan mayo, made from aquafaba or soy, works perfectly in sandwiches and salads. Dairy-free ranch and Caesar dressings offer the same creamy satisfaction as their dairy counterparts.

In the kitchen, coconut milk and cashew cream make excellent substitutes for heavy cream in savory dishes like pasta sauces and curries. Plant-based queso and other cheese-based sauces are also available, ensuring you never miss out on creamy comfort foods.

Why people ditch dairy

The shift away from dairy appears to be more than just a passing trend. Many people switch due to health concerns, environmental reasons or personal preferences. With so many delicious and accessible alternatives available, ditching dairy no longer feels like a sacrifice.

Digestive discomfort is one of the top reasons people cut out dairy. Lactose intolerance is common, and eliminating dairy can dramatically improve symptoms like bloating and cramps. Additionally, some people report clearer skin and reduced inflammation after going dairy free.

Environmental and ethical considerations are also driving the shift. Dairy production requires significant resources, and those looking to reduce their carbon footprint find plant-based options to be a more sustainable choice. Moreover, with the wide availability of alternatives like almond milk, oat yogurt and cashew cheese, transitioning away from dairy has never been easier.

Ready to make the move?

Switching to dairy alternatives opens up a world of tasty options. Start with something simple, like almond milk in your morning coffee or oat cream in your next dessert. Coconut yogurt can elevate your parfaits, while cashew cheese spreads add a gourmet touch to your meals.

You don’t have to sacrifice anything when making the switch. Whether you’re fully plant-based or just exploring new dietary options, there’s a dairy-free alternative for everyone. Give it a try. You might just discover a new favorite.

Lisa MarcAurele is the original founder of Low Carb Yum and the author of two keto cookbooks. She created Little Bit Recipes to help people save money by minimizing leftovers when cooking for one or two people. Lisa is a long-time resident of Connecticut and enjoys hiking and taking scenic day trips around New England.

My fondness for retrieving the mail has been described to me as antiquated, if not neurotic, by those who do their bidding online, which I reject out of hand on the grounds that I trust a mail carrier and his Jeep more than I trust an electronic pulse. Or her Jeep.

The mail, and thus the United States Postal Service, represents to me an American convention on the level of church going, or voting on Election Day. I lose on those fronts, too. I am older now, but not old enough to remember when we actually got mail twice a day. What a thing to imagine, two occasions on the same day to anticipate great surprises, a British car newsletter, a card, perhaps an enticement to cruise the Rhine on a decked-out barge.

And bills, of course, but I’d rather get the news on paper than on a screen.

As for neurotic, that only kicks in when the mail, prior to me fetching it, has been driven over, there being so much bounty on a given day it spills out of the bin and across the garage floor. “I didn’t see it,” she says.

How would you like to get your latest copy of Boathouse Barn Finds with tire tracks across the bow of a 1938 triple cockpit Chris Craft?

President Elon Musk might now wish to throw out the USPS with the bath water. I couldn’t take it. The news reports cite President Donald Trump as noodling about the USPS, maybe taking it private, maybe merging it with the Commerce Department. Yes, the USPS can’t make a nickel in profit. It bleeds hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars. But has the Department of Energy has ever produced any energy? Has the Department of Education ever educated anybody?

At least the mail puts something in my hand. And while I’m at it: Musk, leave the penny alone. There’s no such thing as a lucky dime.

Musk appears to be running the show. He appeared at Trump’s first Cabinet meeting the other day dressed in a T-shirt, a black overcoat and a ballcap, like he just ducked in before running to the drugstore to get a prescription filled. Boys, the post office is probably America’s oldest institution, first running out of a saloon in Boston as early as 1639. We weren’t even a country yet! And just as probably it is America’s favorite institution. According to the Pew Research Center, 75 percent of us have a favorable view of the post office, trailing only the National Park Service at 76 percent with a favorable view.

God only knows, but it is unlikely they are going to pave over Yosemite.

Much of what Musk is up to is long overdue. And it is laughable that the third assistant shift leader in each agency’s Department of Loving and Happy Thoughts develops a terrible case of writer’s block when asked to tell us what they did in the last five days, but I certainly got mail in the last five days. A little DOGE goes a long way, but at great risk to my polished image, it won’t bother me a bit to continue feeding those hurting and in need, well, except in Minnesota, where thieves generally get the money before a kid gets the food.

There are 530,000 USPS employees serving all of us. The current price of a stamp is 73 cents. The math will never work.

Figure it out, Musk. That’s what you’re good at.

Joe Soucheray can be reached at jsoucheray@pioneerpress.com. Soucheray’s “Garage Logic” podcast can be heard at garagelogic.com.

Related Articles

Miller, Kramer: Where time begins — a proposal to relocate the Prime Meridian to St. Paul

John Marboe: A grant for good food for good people … gone

Skywatch: Absolute perfection

Working Strategies: Weighing the buyout offer Part 2, personal considerations

Real World Economics: Shaky politics make for a shaky economy

By JOHN LEICESTER, Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — Even months later, the pain of losing a pet can still hit without warning.

The trigger might be noticing — again, for the umpteenth time — how empty the house feels since your cat died, without the pitter-patter of padded paws. Or stumbling across the leash of the dog you lost and remembering how it used to set off tail-wagging glee.

Grieving owners can feel doubly lonesome if the humans in their lives don’t quite know how to help, perhaps because they’ve not had pets themselves or feel awkward around grief.

A sculpture of a cat is seen at the dog cemetery in AsniËres-sur-Seine, outside Paris, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

How can owners and their friends cope better with pet bereavement? Experts in pet loss offer these ideas:

Recognize that feeling awful is normal

For some grieving owners, pet loss can feel worse than a human death. That doesn’t make them monsters. Instead, it reflects the potential depths of human-animal bonds.

A sculpture of a dog is seen at the dog cemetery in Asnières-sur-Seine, outside Paris, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

For some people, a pet is their most important relationship, “the being that they see every single day, that maybe sleeps on their bed, that they cuddle with on the couch,” says E.B. Bartels, author of “ Good Grief: On Loving Pets, Here and Hereafter.”

“There are people who feel more comfortable with animals than with people,” she adds. “So losing those relationships can be really, really difficult.”

Offer a sympathetic ear

People who haven’t experienced pet love may struggle to understand what it’s like to lose it. They may think they are being helpful by saying, “It was just an animal,” or “They were lucky to have such a loving owner.” But pat phrases, no matter how well-meaning, can make grieving owners clam up and feel alone.

Tourists visit the dog cemetery while a worker prepares a tomb in Asnières-sur-Seine, outside Paris, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

“You feel like you can’t talk about it because people aren’t really empathizing,” says Annalisa de Carteret, who manages a telephone helpline and other pet-loss support services for Blue Cross, a U.K. animal welfare charity.

“Just allow that person to talk about how they’re feeling, and you don’t need to comment,” she says.

Avoid clichés like, “‘Oh, you can get another pet’ or ‘He had a good life, he was a good age,’” she says. For the owner, “that doesn’t make you feel any better, because you knew all of those things. You just feel sad and just want someone to listen and to understand.”

Bonds can run deep with any kind of animal

Another tip: Don’t assume that an owner’s grief is commensurate with the size or type of animal they lost, or the length of time they had them. The death of a pet lizard, for example, can be as painful for some people as losing the cutest of fur balls for others.

“My friend’s dad has a koi pond and he loves these koi. And he was so upset when a raccoon got in and killed all his koi one summer,” Bartels says. “Some people would be like, ‘Oh, they’re just fish.’ But he loved these fish, you know?”

Graves at the pet cemetery of Asnieres-sur-Seine, west of Paris, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

She suggests that friends can offer practical help: A grieving owner who no longer has a four-legged reason to leave the house might appreciate the offer of a walk with a two-legged companion.

“People can really feel they lose their community,” Bartels says. “In the morning you get up, you bring your dog to the dog park and you get to know the group of people who are there every morning really well. And that’s your social community. And so then if you lose your reason for going … you’ve lost a lot more than just a dog.”

Guilt often compounds pet loss

Up to 30,000 people contact Blue Cross each year for pet-loss support. Many aren’t simply sad but also are fearful that they may somehow have been responsible for their animal’s death or disappearance, de Carteret says.

“Guilt is a really big part of pet loss,” she says.

View of a grave at the pet cemetery of Asnieres-sur-Seine, west of Paris, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

“They maybe think, ‘Oh, if I’d done something differently, maybe they’d have stayed alive a little bit longer,’ or if they were stolen: ‘If I didn’t put them in the garden.’ Or, ‘What could I have done differently to change the inevitable?’”

For bereaved owners who feel more upset about the loss of a pet than about a family member, that can trigger more guilt, de Carteret adds.

“It’s really normal,” she says. But “it feels wrong to say, doesn’t it? And people don’t want to share that.”

Can a new pet help?

Possibly. But it’s not a magic bullet. Each animal has its own personality and a new one won’t necessarily fill the void left by another. And if your previous pet was full-grown, you may no longer have the patience for kittens’ litters or puppy-training again.

Related Articles

An ice rink to fight opioid crisis: Drug-free fun vs. misuse of settlement cash

Texas measles cases rise to 146 in an outbreak that led to a child’s death

Measles is one of the world’s most contagious viruses. Here’s what to know and how to avoid it

Harsh flu season has health officials worried about brain complications in children

CDC report adds to evidence that HPV vaccine is preventing cervical cancer in US women

Bottom line: Grieving can’t be truncated. The sadness and memories can be lasting.

Bartels lost her dog, Seymour, last June.

“I’m sure I’ll have a hard time again in June when it’s the year anniversary of when we put him down,” she says.

De Carteret keeps her dog’s ashes by her fireplace, which was his favorite place to sit.

“Some people will think that’s weird,” she says. “But, you know, that’s how I deal with it … You have to find the right way for you.”

By Michelle Clardie, Bankrate.com

Despite attempts at financial equality, gender continues to impact nearly every aspect of personal finance, including earning, spending, investing and consumer debt.

Men on average earn more than women, allowing them to spend, save, borrow and invest more. Women tend to be more cautious with money, which makes sense since they have less of it. Data is not as robust for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals, but emerging research shows a pattern of even greater financial strain for this marginalized group as they work to overcome prejudices and early setbacks caused by a lack of financial support that cisgender peers typically receive from family.

Whatever your gender, being aware of the role gender plays in personal finance can help you better understand your financial hurdles and those others are facing.

General differences in the finances by gender

Statistics only tell a small part of the story regarding finances by gender. Chromosomes, sex and gender expression do not affect someone’s ability to manage money, build good credit, use debt responsibly or invest for the future. However, external factors and societal pressure assigned to gender roles do have a financial impact.

Related Articles

St. Paul and Minneapolis chambers of commerce consider merger — again

How to set and invest your emergency fund

Smartphones in schools: Do they help students learn?

Teens are spilling dark thoughts to AI chatbots. Who’s to blame when something goes wrong?

Microsoft shutting down Skype in May

On average, women are still responsible for the lion’s share of family caregiving and household labor, negatively impacting their lifetime earning potential. Women also tend to suffer more severe financial consequences of divorce. By contrast, men feel socially pressured to exude wealth and status regardless of their success and frequently go into debt to keep up appearances.

Transgender individuals typically take on more debt when starting out than their cisgender peers, likely due to a lack of financial support and living accommodations provided by family. This puts transgender or nonbinary individuals in a more financially precarious position than cisgender men or women.

Earning differences by gender

After decades of progress in narrowing the gender wage gap, 2023 saw the gap widen significantly for the first time in 20 years according to the annual Income in the United States report from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Women who work full-time were paid about 82.7% of a man’s salary in 2023, down from 84% in 2022. Full-time male workers made a median salary of $66,790, while full-time female workers made $55,240. This results in a difference of $11,550 per year — a gap that only widens further for women of color, women with disabilities and women working part-time.

The median income for all American men in 2023 was $56,280, while the median for all American women was just $42,110.

Earning information specific to TGD individuals is not available.

Spending differences by gender

Spending tends to be closely correlated with income, with higher earners spending more.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’s latest Consumer Expenditure surveys found that the average single woman spends $42,174 annually, while the average single male spends $43,299.

The breakdown of spending by category is shown below.

Type of spending
Single woman
Single man

Food
$4,899
$5,302

Housing
$17,093
$16,309

Apparel and services
$1,123
$833

Transportation
$5,170
$7,066

Healthcare
$4,131
$3,038

Entertainment
$1,899
$1,914

Single men spend more than single women on food, transportation and entertainment. Single women spend more on housing, apparel/services and healthcare.

It is worth noting that the average age of single women from the survey is 60, while the average age of single men is 52. Age is an important factor in earning power and spending habits. Cost of living, dependents, disabilities, and other considerations also influence income and expenditures.

There is no data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics breaking down income and expenses for transgender or nonbinary individuals.

Borrowing differences by gender

Experian compared debt balances among men and women and found that men carry more debt in all categories except student loans.

On average:

Men have 16.3% more auto loan debt than women.
Men have 2% more credit card debt than women.
Men have 9.7% more mortgage debt than women.
Men have 20% more personal loan debt than women.
Women have 2.7% more student loan debt than men.

Type of debt
Women
Men

Credit card balance
$6,232
$6,357

Student loan balance
$36,131
$35,188

Auto loan balance
$17,747
$20,645

Personal loan balance
$14,780
$17,716

Home equity line of credit (HELOC) balance
$42,746
$47,017

Mortgage balance
$192,368
$211,034

Consumer debt information specific to TGD individuals is not available.

Credit score differences by gender

The Equal Opportunity Credit Act largely prohibits using demographic information, including gender, in credit reporting, so it is difficult to evaluate credit scores by gender.

However, the Federal Reserve analyzed the credit scores of thousands of men and women in 2018. Its findings indicate that gender has little impact on credit scores, although the average man’s score is slightly higher than the average woman’s, controlling for age. For example, the mean VantageScore 2.0 for men aged 31–40 was 793 while the mean for women of the same age was 785. While this data is older, it’s unlikely that this disparity has changed significantly.

There is no reliable data differentiating the credit scores of nonbinary individuals.

Investing differences by gender

Women are less likely to invest than men. A study commissioned by BNY Mellon Investment Management found that if women invested at the same rate as men, there would be more than $3 trillion in additional assets under management today.

BNY cites the gender pay gap, perceived risk of investing and lack of engagement as key factors for this disparity.

Anne-Marie McConnon, Global Chief Client Experience Officer at BNY Mellon Investment Management, said: “As women, we all have different hurdles to overcome to meet our individual financial goals. Some of these are influenced by demographics and personal circumstances but some are a result of how the investment industry has traditionally engaged with women.” In fact, 86% of asset managers acknowledge that their default target customer is male.

There is no information specific to the investment habits of TGD individuals.

Financial stress differences by gender

Women are more likely to report feeling stressed by finances than men. In a recent Bankrate study, 46% of women say money issues have negatively affected their mental health, prompting feelings of anxiety, depression and stress. Only 38% of men report feeling the same financial stress.

Recent research from the International Journal of Consumer Studies found that transgender college students experience greater financial strain than their cisgender peers. According to the study, “TGD students had significantly lower financial optimism, financial self-efficacy and financial socialization than their cisgender peers.”

Discrimination in lending by gender

Legislation has been implemented to prevent lending discrimination by gender.

The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prevents discrimination in mortgage lending, specifically based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity and sexual orientation, disability and family status. It wasn’t until 2020 that federal protections were put in place to prevent housing discrimination based on gender identity.

Additionally, The Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 prohibits discrimination in all types of lending based on race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age or participation in public assistance programs.

Before 1974, lenders were allowed to require women to have a male co-signer before approving a loan. This made it nearly impossible for women to build credit, buy homes or take out loans to start a business without a man agreeing to help them. While the act did make this discrimination illegal, prejudices from this era still carry forward.

The bottom line

Gender has no scientific bearing on your ability to manage money, but societal expectations and gender norms still affect your income potential and can pressure you to spend or borrow in a certain way. We’ve come a long way from when women couldn’t get their own credit cards and when nonbinary people could be charged more for housing, but we still have a long way to go.

Frequently asked questions

Do lenders consider gender when making decisions? No, a lender cannot consider your gender or gender identity when making decisions. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in mortgage lending, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits discrimination in other forms of lending.
What should I do if I’m being discriminated against financially because of my gender? If you feel you’re being discriminated against financially because of your gender or gender identity, try to gather as much evidence as possible. Take notes and record conversations if you’re in a state that allows one-party consent for recordings. Try to keep communications to a written medium for better tracking. Once you’ve gathered your evidence, submit a complaint through the proper channels, depending on your situation:

For housing discrimination, including mortgage lending and rental price discrimination: File a complaint through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For credit discrimination including loans, mortgages and credit cards: File a complaint through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
For any type of discrimination: File a report with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. Your state, county or city may also have a civil rights division where you can file complaints.
Note: Some of these may be subject to change with the Trump Administration’s changes. You may need additional research to find the best place to get help.

Key takeaways

On average, men carry more debt than women across all categories, except student loans.
The gender pay gap affects women’s ability to earn, save, invest and build wealth.
Even though women spend less and carry lower debt balances, they still feel more financial stress than men.

©2025 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.