Dairy Alternatives

Diets that exclude dairy, but include plant-based sources of calcium can be perfectly healthy and nutritionally adequate alternatives. (Read more information about health here).

Dairy alternatives are now widely available in supermarkets, health food stores, and specialty stores around Australia.

Milk – a wide range of plant-based milk such as soy, almond or rice milk, are available in most supermarkets. We recommend trying a few different kinds and a few different brands as they all have a different taste.

Butter – dairy free margarine spreads are available at most supermarkets, including brands such as Nutellex.

Cheese – there is a growing variety of dairy-free cheese available – some dairy-free cheese will melt really well, some is good with sandwiches or crackers, and other types go well with cooking. Supermarkets already stock some dairy-free cheese such as BioCheese, but for a wider range of vegan cheeses, try your local health food stores or specialty vegan stores (see below). You can also make your own vegan cheese at home – read more and find recipes here.

Chocolate – most supermarkets have some dairy-free chocolate available – Green & Blacks 70 or 85% dark chocolate, Lindt 70% or 85% dark chocolate, Sweet Williams dairy free chocolate (Coles & Woolies), Whittakers – some varieties (Woolies). Check out our list of delicious chocolate here! 

Ice Cream – most supermarkets stock dairy-free ice cream such as Sanitarium So Good available at Coles & Woolies. You can also find a range of dairy-free sorbets in the ice cream section of most supermarkets. Many health food stores also stock a range of delicious coconut ice creams such as Cocoluscious and Over the Moo.

Yoghurt – A range of coconut and soy-based yoghurt available in most supermarkets and health food stores, such as Co-yo, Kingland, and Soy Life brands.

If your local supermarket doesn’t have the alternatives you want, don’t forget to ask them! Supermarkets are slowly responding to consumer demand and stocking a greater variety of alternatives.

Specialty stores and markets – large variety of specialty dairy-free products including cheeses, sweets, ice cream, etc.

• Cruelty Free Shop – Open 7 days at 2/165 Melbourne St, South Brisbane. You can also shop online.
• The Green Edge – Open 7 days at Shop 2b 229 Lutwyche Rd, Windsor. You can also shop online.
• Vegan Markets – 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, Russel St, West End.

For more information, check out this comprehensive list of alternatives (download PDF) compiled by Melbourne Cow Save.