It is National Cheesecake Day on Sunday 30th July.
If you suffer from IBS, you are probably wondering how you can celebrate with a cheesecake this weekend. A traditional cheesecake is indeed made from a dairy based cream cheese so it will not suit most people with IBS.
However, the amazing Loretta from Cibo in Northampton gifted us a fantastic IBS friendly vegan salted caramel cheesecake made from coconut milk, soft vegan cheese, carob bean gum and vegan dark chocolate. It was absolutely delicious, as the pictures show, and proves that IBS sufferers and anyone that is lactose intolerant can still enjoy sweet treats and join in the fun!
We, of course, could not keep all the huge cheesecake to ourselves, so shared it with some of the other businesses at Blisworth Hill Business Park, our neighbours Wellbeing Chiropractic and Nephew Media.
If you would like to try making your own, why not swap out the dairy based cream cheese and dairy based cream in a standard cheesecake recipe for one of these alternatives like Loretta did for us. But keep in mind your own specific trigger foods that you may want to avoid.
Cashew cheesecake: Made from soaked and blended cashews, this cheesecake has a creamy and slightly nutty flavour. Yummy when flavoured with lemon or lime juice.
Tofu cheesecake: Firm tofu can be whizzed up in a food processor until it reaches a smooth and creamy texture. You will probably need to add vanilla extract and sweeten it with a little agave nectar or maple syrup.
Coconut cheesecake: A dairy-free option made with chilled coconut cream, this cheesecake has a rich flavour and smooth texture which is delicious on its own or decorate it with fresh blueberries or strawberries.
Vegan cream cheese: this can be quite solid even when whipped up, so you could either mix with coconut milk, as Loretta did for us, or you could use a vegan cream to create the desired texture. Why not swirl in a fresh raspberry puree and decorate with fresh mint leaves.
The base of the cheesecake can be made using crushed up biscuits of choice, double check the ingredient list on the packet to ensure they don’t include any of your IBS trigger foods, or you could even use crunched oat cakes. Mix the biscuit crumb with a little coconut oil and press into the base of your tin.
These are all great alternatives to a traditional cheesecake and can be great options for individuals who can’t eat dairy due to their IBS or lactose intolerance.
Discover how UCU can help you assess your IBS and gut health issues and tailor a Unique Plan specifically to help alleviate your IBS symptoms https://www.ucunutrition.com/services