Living dairy-free for Daisy Cole is about adopting a diet that supports gut health and general wellness rather than only eliminating dairy products.
“For many people, a dairy-free diet can help cut bloating, gas, and digestive discomfort,” she says. “These are some of my best ideas for building dairy-free, gut-friendly meals.”
1. Start with Plant-Based Milks:
Daisy likes to replace almond, oat, and coconut milk for dairy in her dishes. “They’re great in smoothies, baking, and even savory meals and naturally calm the gut,” she notes. “My favorite is oat milk because it’s creamy and has a mild flavor.”
2. Choose dairy-free yogurt.
For gut health, yogurt free of dairy produced from almond or coconut milk is quite good. “I always choose a yogurt that contains live active cultures because the probiotics support gut balance,” Daisy says. For a wholesome breakfast, she likes combining fresh fruit and granola with dairy-free yogurt.
3. Give foods high in fiber top priority.
Digestive health depends on fiber, hence Daisy makes sure her meals include lots of foods high in this nutrient. “I love adding beans, lentils, and whole grains like quinoa and brown rice to my dishes,” she notes. These foods aid in proper digestion and are mild on the gut.
4. Cook with Anti-Inflammatory Spices:
Standard ingredients in Daisy’s kitchen include anti-inflammatory spices including cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric. She says, “These spices not only taste great but also help soothe the digestive system and lower gut inflammation.” Daisy makes her soups, smoothies, even morning oatmeal with turmeric added.
5. Savors smoothies for gut health.
One of Daisy’s preferred approaches to load gut-friendly foods is with smoothies. “I create a green smoothie including avocado, chia seeds, spinach, and a dairy-free milk base,” she explains. “This is a great approach to get fiber, good fats, and lots of vitamins supporting digestion.”
Daisy’s meals are inherently gut-friendly and nouraging by emphasizing complete, plant-based foods and dairy-free cuisine. She explains, “Your gut will thank you when you listen to your body and choose foods that make you feel good.”