Are you a yogurt lover?

I know many of my clients love their yogurt! It is an easy go-to breakfast or healthy snack! That’s why, for those of us who have to go dairy-free to see real health changes, finding an alternative is huge!

For most people, the instinct is to grab the dairy-free alternatives from the grocery store. They’ve got almond and coconut yogurts in most stores these days and they can be fantastic solutions for many people.

However, a word of caution, especially for those of us with gut-issues and/or autoimmune disorders: store-bought yogurts (dairy-full and dairy-free) alike almost all contain thickeners/gums.

Xanthan gum

Guar gum

Acacia gum

Carrageenan

All of these are known gut-irritants, meaning that they can contribute to inflammation in the GI tract and could potentially contribute to leaky gut.

Carrageenan is absolutely the most problematic of these thickeners, so my rule of thumb is to look for at LEAST carrageenan-free yogurts & milks, like those made by Silk.

My favourtie solution, however, is to make my own coconut yogurt.

I stick with coconut because I know that nuts contain phytic acids and digestive enzyme inhibitors, which sometimes don’t agree with my sensitive celiac tummy. And I love my yogurt, so I wanna be able to eat a lot of it!

I know it's not exactly everyone's favourite thing to experiment in the kitchen BUT if you want to give it a try, here are the two procedures I use to make homemade coconut yogurt.

Homemade Coconut Yogurt (Instant Pot)

The easiest (and thereby my favourite) way to do it is in an instant pot - legit so easy and you cannot fail.

INGREDIENTS

4 cups coconut cream (the thick stuff in your cans of coconut milk - easier to scoop out after refrigeration)

4 probiotic capsules

1 tsp gelatin (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1) Scoop coconut cream into 2 pint sized jars.

2) Add two capsules of probiotic into each jar by opening up the capsules and sprinkling the probiotics in. Stir well to combine.

3) Place jars into the instant pot without their lids.

4) Press the “yogurt” function on the instant pot and set the time to 10-12 hours, depending on how tart you want to make it.

5) Once the timer is done, open the lid and remove the yogurt.

6) If you want to make it a bit thicker, add the yogurt to a blender with the gelatine and mix well. Then, pour back into the jars.

7) Place jars into the fridge without lids and allow to cool and thicken. After a couple of hours, place the caps on jars & wait till you’re ready to enjoy!

Homemade Coconut Yogurt (Good Ol’ Fashioned)

This way is a little harder to control, it doesn’t always turn out perfectly but be patient with yourself and try a couple of times. You’ll get it!

INGREDIENTS

4 cups coconut cream

4 probiotic capsules

2 tsps vanilla extract (optional)

1 cup frozen raspberries (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1) Pour your coconut cream into a clean, sterilized, dry glass jar or bowl.

2) Empty your probiotic capsules into the yogurt and use a wooden or plastic spoon to stir.

NOTE : DO NOT USE A METAL SPOON, as they can react negatively with the probiotics.

3) Cover the mixture with a cheesecloth and secure with a rubber band.

4) Let the yogurt activate for at least 24 hours and up to 48 hours (depending on how tangy you want it!) in a warm dry place.

5) Once the yogurt has reached the right amount of tartness and thickness for your liking, cover securely with a lid and refrigerate until cold.

6) To flavour, add a bit of vanilla extract & berries. You may also like a couch of maple syrup for a bit of sweetness.

Both of these can be stored in the fridge for around 7 days. You’ll know it’s gone bad when the smell is yucky and/or there is mold showing up.

Which way are you going to make your yogurt?

If you make either of these recipes, please feel free to take a pic and tag me on instagram @realistic.holistic and use #realisticholistic :) I’ll be sure to share your culinary adventure!

COMMENT below if you have any questions or comments about the recipe! I’m always here to help & I love hearing what your experience was with the recipe!

SHARE this with a friend who wants to keep their morning porridge but should really be avoiding grains! <3 I feel that!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

xox Meg