A Dairy Department Deep Dive with Heinen’s Club Fx
The following article was written by Heinen’s Chief Dietitian, Melanie Jatsek RD, LD.
In the early developmental stages of creating Heinen’s Club Fx program, we were tasked with creating a set of easy-to-follow nutrition guidelines to help customers make healthier food choices.
Known as the “Fx™ Pillars“, these principles have one thing in common: a focus on plant-based food.
The Dairy Department may be the last place you would expect to find plant-based options, yet customer demand inspired us to bring in the following Fx™-approved dairy-free products to answer that call.
If you’re not quite ready to pour almond milk over your oatmeal, Heinen’s has you covered with the best Fx™-approved traditional dairy products too! Heinen’s Fx™-approved true dairy products come from pasture-raised cows fed only grass, an important distinction because grass is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats. Humans are unable to digest grass, but cows that graze on grass produce milk rich in omega-3 fats in a form we can digest.
Let’s take a deep dive into the Dairy Department and discover the best Fx™-approved dairy and non-dairy brands!
Yogurt
- Cocojune pure coconut organic cultured yogurt: Featuring organic coconuts blended with cassava root for added fiber and vegan probiotic cultures to promote a healthy digestive system, this no-added sugar yogurt makes a healthy base for yogurt parfaits and smoothies!
- Nancy’s 100% grass-fed whole milk yogurt: Made from the milk of grass-fed dairy cows, not only does this yogurt deliver omega-3 fatty acids, but it also comes with 41 billion live probiotics per serving, the amount found in some of the best quality probiotic supplements.
Milk
- Malk unsweetened almond milk: Filtered water, organic almonds and Himalayan pink salt are the only ingredients you’ll find in this USDA organic dairy-free almond milk. The absence of fillers and added sugar gives it superstar status!
- ORIGIN A2 milk: ORIGIN is a regenerative dairy brand focusing exclusively on quality golden milk from heritage breed guernsey cows. This 100% grass-fed and certified A2 milk is more easily digestible for those who experience discomfort from consuming dairy. ORIGIN uses low-heat VAT pasteurization methods to preserve flavor and keep their milk as nutrient rich as possible, offering 3x omega-3, 15% more protein, 12% more calcium and 35% more Vitamins A and D compared to standard milk.
Creamer
- So Delicious coconut milk creamer: Extremely low in sugar, one tablespoon of this rich and creamy coconut milk creamer is all your morning cup of Joe needs. Simply stir, sit back, sip and enjoy!
- ORIGIN A2 cream: A full-flavored, old-fashioned cream from pasture-raised cows that can elevate rich flavors in your favorite recipes. Add a splash to your next cup of coffee for a real treat!
Cheese
- Violife cheddar shreds or slices: My favorite way to enjoy this plant-based cheese is sprinkled over salads. Unlike some plant-based cheeses, Violife melts because it’s made from coconut oil. But don’t worry, it mimics the flavor of real cheese, not coconut.
- Organic Valley shredded cheeses (available in cheddar, mozzarella and Mexican): Milk from only pasture-raised cows goes into Organic Valley shredded cheeses. This means more omega-3s and zero GMOs for your homemade pizzas and tacos!
Cream Cheese and Sour Cream
- Kite Hill cream cheese and sour cream alternatives: Enjoy the creamy goodness of traditional cream cheese and sour cream minus the dairy with these delicious almond-based alternatives. Use them in homemade muffins, dips and frostings.
- Organic Valley cream cheese and sour cream: Whether on whole grain bagels or as a topping for baked potatoes, choosing Organic Valley cream cheese and sour cream is a step in the right direction. They are also the perfect way to upgrade your favorite cheesecake recipe, too!
Key Takeaway
Take a quick inventory of the dairy products in your refrigerator and using the above list, choose one to upgrade. Remember, the key to success in all areas of life, especially in health, is identifying and honoring where you are and taking small and consistent steps towards improvement. You can do this!
