The exciting emergence of oat milk and other vegan “dairy” options at Trader Joe’s reflects how widespread vegan-based lifestyles have become today. You no longer have to go to a health food store to get vegan or vegetarian products, these products are available almost everywhere – from convenient stores to major supermarkets. Although there are are a number of great vegan foods out there, something that seems a little harder to perfect is great vegan ice cream.
Although Ben and Jerry’s full-dairy Tonight Dough will always reign supreme, these dairy-free alternatives still capture the great smooth texture and flavor, without the animal products!
5: Dairy-Free Halo Top
The soy-free, coconut-based, protein-filled Halo Top vegan flavors made the top five. Although it may be a little icy and may not fully resemble the creamy consistency of say, any real ice cream, it will surely satisfy your sweet tooth while simultaneously keeping you on track nutritionally (compared to other brands without protein and with substantially higher levels of fat).
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Flavors: cinnamon swirl, peanut butter cup, chocolate-covered banana, caramel machiato, oatmeal cookie, sea salt caramel, chocolate
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Caloric Nutrition: ½ cup is 80 calories
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Price: $3.99
4: Cado
Although it might sound strange, the creamy consistency of avocado (just like bananas) makes for the perfect ice cream consistency. The avocado flavor isn’t detectable at all and compared to dairy-fat, the avocado base will serve you better nutritionally.
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Flavors: vanilla bean, cherry amaretto chip, java chip, salted caramel swirl, deep dark chocolate, simply lemon, mint chocolate chip
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Caloric Nutrition: ½ cup is 170 calories
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Price: $5.99
3: Ben & Jerry’s
Above any other brand that offers dairy-free options, Ben & Jerry’s definitely has some of the most diverse flavor choices. The addition of dairy-free cookie dough and Oreos in their pints adds a great texture, capturing the essence of a real ice cream sundae experience. The main downside is that, compared to other dairy-free pints, it is relatively unhealthy. But the flavor is there… So who really cares?
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Flavors: chocolate salted ‘n swirled, chocolate chip cookie dough, chocolate caramel cluster, caramel almond brittle, cherry garcia, chocolate fudge brownie, cinnamon buns, coffee caramel fudge, peanut butter half-baked, chunky monkey, coconut seven layer bar
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Caloric Nutrition: ½ cup 250-300 calories (depends on flavor)
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Price: $4.59
2: Nada Moo
Nada Moo has recently released several new interesting flavors, including marshmallow stardust, peach cobbler, cookie dough fudge, strawberry cheesecake, and caramel cold-brew and cookies. You’ll likely do a double-take when you read “Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, organic, kosher” and then realize how freaking good it still is despite the elimination of several primary ingredients. Nada moo really has been killing it lately. Enough said.
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Flavors: peppermint bark, banana caramel crunch, marshmallow stardust, peach cobbler, cookie dough fudge, strawberry cheesecake, lotta mint chip, chocolate peanut butter, birthday cake cookie dough, the rockiest road, that snickerdoodle dough, himalayan salted caramel, chocolate cherry fudge brownie, pistachio nut, mm…maple pecan, vanilla…ahhh, dutch chocolate, cookies & creme, caramel cold-brew and cookies
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Caloric Nutrition: ½ cup is 140 calories
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Price: $4.99
1: Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream
Although expensive compared to other brands, this vegan ice cream has impressive ingredients to compensate for its hefty price tag. Beginning as a Brooklyn-based food truck, the alternative ice cream brand has expanded far beyond New York marketing their dessert in Whole Foods and online through Amazon.
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Flavors: rocky road, cookie crumble strawberry jam, cookies & cream caramel swirl, vanilla bean, salted caramel, honeycomb, peanut butter choc chip, chocolate, choc chip, mint chip, Sicilian pistachio
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Caloric Nutrition: ½ cup is 240 calories
Price: $8.00