The rules surrounding Whole30 Compliant Cheese can be murky! It’s definitely one of those gray areas, where we defer back to you! I hope this post about Whole30 Compliant cheese brands and where to find them helps you figure out if these dairy free cheese options are or are not good fits for your Whole30.
If you’re new to the Whole30, a question you may ask at the beginning is:
Can you have cheese on the Whole30?
Nope. You can’t have ANY dairy on the Whole30, including milk, cream, cheese, or ice cream.
I know, you’re so sad… The next question you may be asking is:
WHY isn’t dairy allowed on Whole30?
There are a lot of different reasons that dairy isn’t allowed on your Whole30. First and foremost, the Whole30 is supposed to be a 30-day health reset. We want you eating THE healthiest foods possible for 30 days. If anything is problematic for your gut, your brain, or your psychological response with food, it’s out. Unfortunately, dairy didn’t make the cut.
Some of the biggest issues are that the whey protein in dairy stimulates a huge insulin surge and casein, another milk protein, has the potential to trigger a histamine response. This can cause headaches, GI upset, asthma, and seasonal allergies.
Additionally, lots of people have an inability to convert lactose, a milk carbohydrate, into usable forms of carbohydrates: glucose and galactose. This leads to bloating, and GI pain. Ingesting even small amounts of lactose can contribute to an imbalance in gut bacteria.
Milk is an energy-dense hormone delivery system. Hormones are messengers, and the messages they send are biologically healthy and appropriate when you are a BABY COW! Milk promotes aggressive growth of a COW.
If you’re interested in the science of food nutrition, and why certain things are and are not on the Whole30, I would highly suggest reading their first book It Starts with Food. Snag it on Amazon here.
The exception to the no dairy rule: Ghee!
Yes, you CAN have ghee on your Whole30! Pastured, organic ghee contains none of the harmful proteins, growth promoters, or hormones found in milk but many of the beneficial compounds: vitamin K2, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and omega 3’s.
What is a good substitute for cheese?
The answer completely depends on what kind of recipe you’re using “cheese” in. If it’s more of a cream-based sauce, a good dairy-free and Whole30 compliant option is using Coconut Cream.
Adding nutritional yeast can add a “cheesy flavor” to most recipes, plus it is called nutritional yeast because it’s packed with vitamins!
There are some commercially-produced non-dairy cheese options, though be wary!! MOST are packed with gross additives, and definitely not a healthy choice for you.
Melissa Urban’s (Co-Creator of the Whole30) Comments on Kite Hill’s Dairy-Free “Cheeses”:
“I’ve been using Kite Hill cream cheeses to add flavor, variety, and creaminess to my Whole30 meals and snacks for years. You won’t believe it’s not dairy! I’m thrilled to help showcase the many ways Kite Hill’s products can add joy to your Whole30 or dairy-free lifestyle.”
-Melissa Urban, Whole30 co-founder and CEO
Melissa Urban’s Caveat with Non-Dairy “Cheeses” and Whole30 Compliant Cheese Brands:
“Nut cheeses and dips ARE compliant on the program, with a strong caveat that these should be used with caution, especially if you know you rely on cheese as a comfort or stress-relieving food, OR if cheese is a trigger for other food cravings (like wine or crackers). As with Larabars or almond butter, Whole30 HQ and our Coaches all recommend that program participants use with caution, and think critically about whether including these foods in their Whole30 is a healthy choice, given their contexts and goals.”
Should you eat these non-dairy “cheeses” or Whole30 Compliant Cheese Brands?
That’s totally up to you. If you already know you have huge cravings for cheese and have an emotional relationship you need to break, I’d say absolutely not. But I know that’s not the case for everyone.
Even if you DO choose to try some of these Whole30 compliant cheeses on your Whole30, stick to the normal rules: eat a small bit, and consciously eat it. If you’re sitting down in front of the tv with a tub of Kite Hill Ricotta Cheese and sweet potato chips you made yourself and you ate the whole container, definitely not a good idea.
But you may find you really love the taste of eggs with some of the Whole30 compliant cheeses below, and you don’t see any issues with it. Then great! Carry on, warrior!
My goal here is always to scour the corners of the internet to find easy, compliant options for your Whole30 (that’s why we have such a slew of Whole30 resources on this site!). Whether or not you choose these foods below is totally up to you, and I support your choice!
The Only Officially Whole30 Approved Cheese Brand is Kite Hill
Kite Hill*
Kite Hill Almond Milk Ricotta
Ingredients: Almond milk (water, almonds), salt, enzymes, tartaric acid, cultures.
Ingredients: Almond Milk (Water, Almonds), Salt, Enzyme, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Mushroom Extract (to help preserve freshness), Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Cultures
Ingredients: Almond Milk (Water, Almonds), Salt, Chives, Enzyme, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, White Pepper, Mushroom Extract (to help preserve freshness), Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Cultures
Kite Hill Everything Cream Cheese
Ingredients: Almond Milk (Water, Almonds), Salt, Dehydrated Onion, Poppy Seed, Dehydrated Garlic, Sesame Seeds, Roasted Sesame Seeds, Enzyme, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Mushroom Extract (to help preserve freshness), Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Cultures
Kite Hill Garden Veggie Cream Cheese
Ingredients: Almond Milk (Water, Almonds), Salt, Red Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper, Smoked Tomato, Garlic, Parsley, Enzyme, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Mushroom Extract (to help preserve freshness), Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Cultures
* Kite Hill is the exclusive Whole30 Approved® plant-based cheese partner!
You can find Kite Hill Ricotta at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Publix, Target, and more! Use their Store Finder for a location near you!
List of Whole30 Compliant Cheese Brands and Where to Find Them
Siete Foods
Siete Spicy Blanco Cashew Queso
Ingredients: Water, cashews, tomatoes, nutritional yeast, onion, green bell peppers, distilled white vinegar, jalapenos, sea salt, flax seed, fermented extract (oregano, flax seed, plum), coconut milk powder, lactic acid, onion powder, garlic powder
Siete Mild Nacho Cashew Queso
Ingredients: Water, cashews, tomatoes, carrots, green bell peppers, nutritional yeast, sea salt, distilled white vinegar, flax seed, fermented extract (oregano, flax seed, plum), coconut milk powder, lactic acid, onion powder, tomato powder, garlic powder
Where to find Siete Queso: You can find them in the refrigerated dip aisle of Whole Foods Market locations nationwide.
Miyoko’s Creamery
Miyoko’s Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella
Ingredients: Organic Cashew Milk (filtered water, organic cashews), Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Tapioca Starch, Sea Salt, Organic Agar, Mushroom Extract, Organic Konjac, Cultures
Miyoko’s Organic Cashew Milk Smoked Mozzarella
Ingredients: Organic Cashew Milk (filtered water, organic cashews), Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Tapioca Starch, Sea Salt, Organic Agar, Mushroom Extract, Organic Konjac, Cultures
Miyoko’s Organic Cashew Milk Cream Cheese Classic Plain
Ingredients: Organic Cashews, Filtered Water, Organic Coconut Cream, Sea Salt, Cultures
Miyoko’s Organic Cashew Milk Cream Cheese Everything
Ingredients: Organic Cashew Milk (Organic Cashews, Filtered Water), Organic Coconut Cream, Organic Poppy Seeds, Organic Sesame Seeds, Organic Garlic, Organic Onion, Sea Salt, Cultures
Miyoko’s Organic Cashew Milk Cream Cheese Savory Scallion
Ingredients: Organic Cashews, Filtered Water, Organic Coconut Cream, Sea Salt, Organic Green Onions, Organic White Pepper, Cultures
Miyoko’s Organic Cashew Milk Cream Cheese Fish-Free Lox
Ingredients: Organic Cashews, Filtered Water, Organic Coconut Cream, Sea Salt, Organic Seaweed, Vegetable Juice for Color, Cultures
Use Miyoko’s Store Finder to find Miyoko’s Mozzarella near you!
Core + Rind Cashew Cheesy Sauce
Ingredients: water, pumpkin, cashews, apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, nutritional yeast, dijon mustard, sea salt, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric powder
You can find Core + Rind Cashew Cheesy Sauce on Amazon here!
Treeline Treenut Cheese
Aged Artisanal Classic Cheese Wheel
Ingredients: Cashew nuts, Filtered Water, Hickory Smoked Sea, Vegan Lactic Acid, L. Acidophilus
Aged Artisanal Cracked Pepper Cheese Wheel
Ingredients: Cashew nuts, Filtered Water, Sea Salt, Vegan Lactic Acid, L. Acidophilus, Black Peppercorns
Find Treeline Cheeses using their Store Locator.
VioLife
Just Like Feta Block
Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Potato Starch, Salt (Sea Salt), Glucono Delta Lactone, Flavor (vegan sources), Olive Extract, Vitamin B12
Just Like Cream Cheese Original
Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Potato Starch, Salt (Sea Salt), Glucono-Delta-Lactone, Flavor (vegan sources), Olive Extract, Vitamin B12
Just Like Cream Cheese with Chives
Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Potato Starch, Salt (Sea Salt), Chives, Onion, Glucono-Delta-Lactone, Flavor (vegan sources), Olive Extract, Vitamin B12
Just Like Cream Cheese with Garlic & Herbs
Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Potato Starch, Salt (Sea Salt), Garlic, Herbs (Chives, Parsley), Sodium lactate, Glucono-Delta-Lactone, Guar Gum, Natural Pepper Flavor, Flavor (vegan sources), Olive Extract, Vitamin B12
Just Like Cream Cheese Cheddar
Buy online from Violife or look for their products at your local grocer.
365 by Whole Foods Plant-Based Cheeses
365 Plant-Based Cheddar Style Shreds
Ingredients: Filtered Water, Highly Refined Coconut Oil, Modified Potato Starch, Modified Tapioca Starch, Potato Starch, Sea Salt, Olive Extract, Natural Flavor, Paprika Extract (Color), Beta Carotene (Color).
365 Plant-Based Mozzarella Shreds
Ingredients: Filtered Water, Highly Refined Coconut Oil, Modified Potato Starch, Modified Tapioca Starch, Potato Starch, Sea Salt, Olive Extract, Natural Flavor.
365 Plant-Based Parmesan Shreds
Ingredients: Water, Modified Potato Starch, Highly Refined Coconut Oil, Salt, Natural Flavors, Yeast Extract, Turmeric (Color), Annatto (Color).
365 Plant-Based Cheddar Slices
Ingredients: Filtered Water, Highly Refined Coconut Oil, Modified Potato Starch, Natural Flavors, Yeast Extract, Turmeric (Color), Annatto (Color).
365 Plant-Based Cheddar Slices
Ingredients: Filtered Water, Highly Refined Coconut Oil, Modified Potato Starch, Modified Tapioca Starch, Sea Salt, Olive Extract, Natural Flavor Paprika Extract (Color), Beta Carotene (Color).
365 Plant-Based Smoked Gouda Style Slices
365 Plant-Based Smoked Gouda Style SlicesIngredients: Filtered Water, Highly Refined Coconut Oil, Modified Potato Starch, Modified Tapioca Starch, Sea Salt, Olive Extract, Natural Flavor, Beta Carotene (Color).
Find 365 Products at your local Whole Foods Market or online at Amazon.
Good Foods
Good Foods Queso Style Dip
Ingredients: Cauliflower, Red Bell Peppers, Almonds, Water, Almond Butter, Apple Cider Vinegar, Red Onions, Lemon Juice, Garlic, Sea Salt, Nutritional Yeast, Chia Protein, Ground Cumin, Ground Turmeric, Cayenne Pepper
Good Foods Spicy Queso Blanco Style Dip
Ingredients: Cauliflower, Water, Green Chilis, Almonds, Apple Cider Vinegar, Jalapeno Peppers, Garlic, Lime Juice, Cashew Butter, Nutritional Yeast, Sea Salt, Chia Protein, Cayenne Pepper, Ground Cumin
Use the Good Foods Store Locator to find their products near you.
If you are in the UK, this brand looks amazing!
Nush
Nush Creamy Almond M*lk Spread
Ingredients:AlmAlmond Mlk (95%) (Filtered Water/ Almond), Potato Starch, Thickener: Carob Gum, Salt, Thickener: Transglutaminase, Live Vegan Cheese Cultures
Nush Creamy Almond M*lk Spread with Chives
Ingredients: Almond Mlk (93%) (Filtered Water/ Almond), Chive (3%), Potato Starch, Thickener: Carob Gum, Salt, Thickener: Enzyme, Live Vegan Cheese Cultures
Find out where you can find Nush near you using their Store Locator!
New Roots Vegan Creamery
Soft White
Ingredients: Cashews, Rock Salt, Plant-Based Fermentation and Ripening Cultures.
Greek Style
Ingredients: Cashews, Herbs, Spices, Tomatoes, Onion, Garlic, Sea Salt, Basil, Oregano, Parsley, Thyme, Chili, Pepper, Sunflower Oil, Rock Salt, Plant-based Cultures. 
Black Pepper
Ingredients: Cashews, Water, Pepper, Rock Salt, Vegan Probiotic Cultures.
La Cotta
Ingredients: Cashews, Water, Rock Salt, Plant-Based Cultures.
New Roots cheeses are Made in Switzerland from organic cashew nuts. Fermented following traditional Swiss cheese-making methods.
Available at various retailers throughout Switzerland, England and France. Find New Roots cheeses via their online shop.
Are there any other Whole30 Compliant Cheese Brands out there that you love?! Share below and I will happily add them!
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