Yogurt is delicious, filling, and versatile, but one of the downsides of yogurt is that it contains dairy. Finding good-quality dairy-free yogurt can be difficult because it can be difficult to adjust the taste and amount of probiotics in your yogurt. So, instead of buying low-quality products in the market, make simple and delicious yogurt at home. Read on to learn about the nutritional benefits of cashew yogurt and how to make it at home.
Reasons to Choose Dairy-Free Yogurt Made with Nuts
Many people rely on yogurt as an important part of their healthy diet. It's high in protein and fat, which makes it a great snack and a good addition to some meals. But traditional yogurt is made from fermented milk, so it's usually not consumed by people who avoid milk for ethical or health reasons.
Most yogurts may look healthy, but in fact they contain dairy and therefore actually contain pollutants. Dairy farms often treat cows with hormones to increase milk production, and these hormones end up in dairy products, impairing the body's normal function. Milk can also contain pesticides from the feed the cows eat or antibiotics from the medicines you take. These toxins can build up in the body to harmful levels.
Even if a person consumes organic dairy products from grass-fed cows, some problems may arise due to the essential nutrients present in the dairy products. The percentage of fat contained in dairy products can cause problems with the cardiovascular system of the body. Yogurt made from dairy products is high in saturated fat, which can clog arteries and cause heart problems. Dairy also contains high levels of IGF because it is used to feed young animals. Therefore, consuming it on a regular basis may cause some problems in adults. High IGF-1 levels have been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, and diabetes. In addition to the risks dairy products pose to human health, they are also a problem for those concerned about animal rights. Although there are some farms that process their cows ethically, industrial farms are still the main source of most dairy in the country.
Yogurt isn't the best choice for many people, even if there are no health or ethical reasons behind it. Some people often have trouble digesting lactose, the protein in dairy products. People who do not have the gene for processing lactose experience excessive gas, cramps, and bowel problems when consuming dairy products. This is why milk is usually the most common allergen.
For this reason, many people prefer to eat dairy-free yogurt, and nuts are an excellent substitute for yogurt. Cashews have a very mild dairy flavor. This makes nut-based yogurts an ideal source of fat and protein, just like dairy-based yogurts. It can even be considered a healthier source of fat and protein because of the unsaturated vegetable fats it contains. This makes it a useful supplement for those looking to follow a ketogenic or Paleo diet.
Benefits of Including Probiotics in Your Diet
There are many dairy-free yogurt options on the market, but not all of them contain probiotics. Probiotic yeast is a class of microorganisms beneficial to the human body, including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Unlike other types of bacteria, probiotic yeast promotes human health when in the gut. The main benefit of probiotics is their ability to fight bad bacteria for the body because they live in the gut and prevent the growth of bad bacteria in the gut.
High content of probiotics can improve the balance of bacteria in the intestines, thereby reducing digestive problems, and the stomach can digest food well and eliminate toxins. As a result, people who take probiotics usually do not experience indigestion symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, and gurgling.
People with food allergies or certain digestive issues often include probiotic yeast in their diet and find it very beneficial. Probiotics help digest lactose and other allergens that cause allergic reactions or digestive problems in some people. Those with health problems like ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or Crohn's disease can take probiotic supplements to treat them.
Probiotic yeasts are generally good for the gut, and their positive effects can also be felt throughout the body. Some studies have found that probiotics produce lactic acid, which can help break down cholesterol, lower total cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure. Probiotics can also help boost your immune system and fight any germs your body comes into contact with. Some studies have even shown that probiotic supplements may even reduce symptoms of depression by reducing levels of stress hormones in the body.
The benefits of probiotic yeast are not limited to improving overall health. When added to food, these microbes can also help improve the taste of food. If you don't add probiotics to nut yogurt, it will taste more like nut butter because probiotics grow slowly in yogurt, which is what gives it that distinctive sour taste it often has.
How to Make Probiotic, Dairy-Free Yogurt
This recipe can take a few days to make, but most of the time is letting the probiotics ferment in the yogurt. This is actually a very simple recipe, requiring only five ingredients and just a few minutes of work. It's popular because the psyllium husks thicken the mix, while the probiotics give it a sour taste that ends up not tasting like cashew butter. So you can make creamy yogurt with a thick consistency and satisfyingly mild taste.
Components:
2 cups cashews
1 cup of water
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 probiotic supplements
1 teaspoon psyllium husk
method:
Place the cashews in a large bowl and cover with enough water so that the cashews rise an inch above. Cashews should be soaked for at least eight hours, preferably overnight.
Soak the psyllium husks in 1/2 cup of water and place in an electric blender along with the cashews.
Add ½ cup of water and maple syrup to a blender.
Blend cashews until smooth and creamy.
Put the cashew mixture in a bowl, break the probiotic capsules, then pour the probiotic powder over the cashews. Stir the mixture well until fully combined.
Cover the bowl with a cloth and place in a warm, dark place.
Leave the pot for at least 24 hours. You can taste the yogurt at this point to test its flavor. The yogurt will have a little sour taste at the beginning, and it will be less sour after a long time. The yogurt will keep for up to two days, depending on your preference.
Yogurt is kept in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Serve and enjoy the flavors.
Suggestions for Serving Homemade Yogurt
After making homemade yogurt, there are so many great ways to enjoy it. Top with a little honey or homemade jam for a delicious snack. You can also add a dollop of yogurt to your oatmeal bowl or blend it into a smoothie to add protein to your breakfast. For a more refined option, layer cashew yogurt between oatmeal, fresh berries, and grated dark chocolate for a luscious parfait. Adding a little yogurt to a curry paste makes it rich and creamy, and adding some spices and lemon juice turns it into a tangy vegetable dip.