Now, several plant-based brands including Wendy’s Nutty Cheeses and Miyoko’s Creamery have developed the perfect vegan and dairy-free artisan cheeses to adorn your cheese board. There are actually enough vegan artisan cheeses to make an entirely vegan cheese board that will keep your guests happy –– whether or not they are vegan.

We all know that dairy-free cheese is no longer hard to find, but often, consumers still complain about the taste and texture of store-bought cheese alternatives. That’s why brands such as Treeline and Miyoko’s have worked to create dairy-free cheeses that give us the same experience as their animal-based counterparts.

What Is Vegan Cheese?

Despite the health and environmental, about 230 million Americans eat cheese every year. Vegan cheese had a significant but short boom coinciding with America’s interest in plant-based milk, but sales have waned in recent years. But why? One answer is taste. But now, vegan brands have doubled their efforts to create dairy-free cheeses that give consumers the same taste, texture, and look as traditional dairy cheese.

Vegan cheese is made from a wide variety of ingredients including cashews, oil, proteins, cultures, and more. Some plant-based cheeses also go through a fermentation process to replicate the funky taste of traditional cheeses. It is important to check the ingredients and nutritional information on vegan cheese because some dairy-free cheeses contain substantially more saturated fats, especially those made from coconut oil.

To accompany these brands, there are also plenty of recipes to make your own artisan cheese at home. Try a cashew-based cheese at your next dinner party. This way you can moderate your diet between processed store-bought brands and homemade whole-food options. While you’re at it, check out the healthiest vegan crackers to add to your board.

READ MORE: How to Make an Epic Vegan Cheese Board

Eating Vegan Cheese is Better For Your Health

Remember that when you switch out dairy cheeses with vegan cheese, you are providing healthier options for you and your guests. Picking healthier dairy-free artisan cheeses can help reduce the risk of several chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, among others. Consuming more dairy significantly increases the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

So, when you construct your vegan charcuterie board, make sure you find a brand with less saturated fat than dairy cheese. For example, one ounce of brie cheese contains about 5 grams of saturated fat, whereas Laughing Cow Plant-Based contains 2.5 grams.

READ MORE: 8 Ways Avoiding Dairy Can Benefit Your Health 

The Best Vegan Artisan Cheeses

Boursin Dairy-Free Galic & Herbs

This creamy spread hits every high note that the brand’s dairy counterpart does. Rich, spreadable, and addictive, add this to a charcuterie board and you’ll be shocked at how fast it goes. This is a mouthwatering addition to your holiday spread, but watch out for other 5 grams of saturated fat per serving!

Calories 90

Total Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 5g

Protein 0g, Fiber 0g

Miyoko’s Double Cream Sun Dried Tomato

This sun-dried tomato cheese is creamy, nicely spreadable, and very tangy. It has a good umami taste and contains the perfect-sized bits of sun-dried tomato that complement the spread instead of overwhelming them. Miyoko’s cheese is delicious, but definitely high in fat. For heart health, make sure to eat this vegan cheese in moderation. 

Calories 120

Total Fat 10g, Saturated Fat 4.5

Protein 3g, Fiber 1g

Miyoko’s French Style Winter Truffle

This truffle cheese wheel will elevate any dish. Rich, complex, and earthy, this cheese offers a great umami flavor. This cheese isn’t as tangy as other plant-based cheeses and offers a nice, round creaminess that is a great dairy-like taste, especially to serve to those who may not love other vegan cheeses. 

Calories 80

Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 3.5g

Protein 2g, Fiber 1g

Reine Fauxgonzola

Reine has perfected its fermentation process and consistency while using high-quality, organic ingredients free of soy, GMO, dairy, and gluten. They have eight flavors to choose from, but at the top of the list is the Fauxgonzola, which was the top pick from all the ‘cheese’ rounds in our test. It’s made with organic blue-green spirulina (which research suggests has antioxidant and inflammation-fighting properties) and its blue striations make a beautiful display.

Calories 160

Total Fat 12.5g, Saturated Fat 2.6g

Protein 5g, Fiber 1g

Treeline Goat-Style Herb Goat Cheese

If you love tangy cheese, this one is for you. It’s zesty and creamy and pairs well with any kind of crackers. Our samplers tried to melt this cheese on a pizza and it got a bit hard, so stick to using this in salads or as a topping. This vegan cheese is packed with 3 grams of protein and only contains 1 gram of saturated fat per serving.

Calories 90

Total Fat 6g Saturated Fat 1g

Protein 3g, Fiber 1g

Vromage Mozzarella

While you can’t really go wrong with any of them, the Pepperjack and Mozzarella are both impressive. You also might recall the name, Vromage, since Prince Harry and Meghan Markel had the cheeses served at the royal wedding. These artisan, vegan cheeses are freshly made using a variety of ingredients that can include organic cashews, macadamias, pine nuts, pistachios, almonds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds, 

Nutritional Information Varies: Check Out Vromage’s Online Store

The post The Best Vegan Artisan Cheeses for Your Holiday Charcuterie Board appeared first on The Beet.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) just proposed that additional vegan dairy products should be included in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This program aims to support the health and general well-being of women and children nationwide that suffer from nutritional deficiencies or food insecurity.

The proposed measures will increase the level of dairy and eggs provided to WIC users, but the USDA included plant-based alternatives to give users a choice to eat plant-based. The USDA will include product substitutes such as soy yogurt and vegan cheese as well as tofu to supplement the eggs.

“USDA is committed to advancing maternal and child health through WIC, helping mothers, babies, and young kids thrive,” Tom Vilsack, US Agriculture Secretary said in a statement. “These proposed changes will strengthen WIC — already an incredibly powerful program — by ensuring it provides foods that reflect the latest nutrition science to support healthy eating and bright futures.”

Treating Nutrient Deficiency With Plant-Based Food

About 94 percent of Americans suffer from at least one nutrient deficiency, and the WIC program intends to provide proper foods to support the diverse and varied needs of its users. By introducing vegan foods to nearly 6 million participants nationwide, the USDA is effectively working to fill nutritional gaps with plant-based foods.

“It is great to see USDA’s new proposed rule increase WIC’s fruit and vegetable benefit,” Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) said. The new WIC package will strengthen a program that is proven to help mothers and babies flourish.”

The program also intends to expand its general food offerings. For example, the USDA will expand the whole wheat grains category to include whole wheat bagels, blue cornmeal, quinoa, and teff. WIC will also provide three to four times more vegetable and fruit supplements as well as access to beans as a protein source rather than solely meat.

“For the more than 6 million moms, babies, and young children who participate in WIC — and the millions more eligible to participate — these proposed revisions have the potential to make positive, life-long impacts on health and well-being,” Stacy Dean, USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, said.

The USDA is taking comments on its new proposed updates until February 21, 2023.

Plant-Based Solutions to Food Insecurity

Over 13 million American households currently face food insecurity, made worse by food deserts and rising food prices. This September, President Joe Biden discussed a plan to fix the broken food system with an emphasis on increasing access to nutritious, sustainable foods. The plan ending hunger, making food labels clearer, adding nutrition to medical training for doctors, and fighting climate change by re-engineering the way food is produced.

The U.S. government launched several initiatives that will undercut America’s dependency on the meat and dairy industries, unveiling nutrition-centric initiatives that will help guide consumers toward more sustainable options in the next decade. Kindercare pledged to double vegetable servings to over 40,000 school-age children by 2025 by improving the affordability and accessibility of healthier foods in school systems nationwide.

When addressing the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, President Biden declared: “In every country in the world, in every state in this country, no matter what else divides us, if a parent cannot feed a child, there’s nothing else that matters to that parent.”

For more plant-based happenings, visit The Beet’s News articles. 

The Top 10 Plant-Based Sources of Calcium

1. Pinto Beans

Pinto beans have 78.7 milligrams in one cup so add these to any salad, dip or burrito.

2. Molasses

Molasses has 82 milligrams in 2 tablespoons. Use it in baking instead of sugar. Look for Blackstrap molasses, and keep in mind that these have been used in recipes for 100s of years, especially in the South. Molasses is also believed to help relieve stress and anxiety.

3. Tempeh

Tempeh has 96 milligrams of calcium in 100 grams when cooked. You can make chicken substitute from it.

4. Tofu

Tofu has about 104mg in one ounce when prepared pan-fried. Throw it in your stir fry, or order it at your next Chinese meal with veggies. It’s the perfect non-meat protein. (Note look for the calcium quotient on the Nutrition Facts on the label.)

5. Bok Choy

Bok choy has 158 milligrams of calcium in one cup. Add it to your soup, stir fry or salad.

6. Soybeans

Soybeans have 175 milligrams of calcium per cup. Sprinkle them on a salad.

7. Kale

Kale has 177 milligrams in one cup. The heroic green makes a great salad, goes in smoothies and delivers a healthy dose of fiber as well.

8. Turnip Greens

Turnip greens have 197 milligrams in one cup. Add them to your favorite soup or smoothie.

10. Collard Greens

Collard greens have 268 milligrams of calcium in one cup. Substitute it for string beans.

10. Milk Alternatives

Alternate milks like almond, soy or rice milk have 300-500 milligrams of calcium in 8 ounces so use any of these on your cereal or in your morning smoothie.

The post This USDA Program is Looking to Make Vegan Dairy More Accessible appeared first on The Beet.

When you go plant-based, you may wonder,  Where could I wake up on Sunday and grab a delicious, fluffy, bagel, slathered in dairy-free vegan cream cheese? Bagel shop owners may look at you quizzically when asked if they carry any non-dairy cream cheese (although many shops in New Jersey and New York carry tofu cream cheese), so if you’re searching for a delicious non-dairy schmear, we’ve tasted the best dairy-free cream cheeses on the market to find the very best vegan cream cheese, ranked for health and taste.

For the most scientific test possible, we set out to a favorite bagel shop and ordered half a dozen bagels to test different vegan spreads: Two everything, two jalapeño, and two cinnamon raisin bagels (all vegan — make sure to double-check your local spot doesn’t add milk or eggs to any recipe)

Cut Out Dairy Products For Your Health

Even though it’s easy to have a soft spot for cream cheese, cutting out dairy products from your regular diet can present significant health benefits. By consuming more dairy, you increase your risk for several diseases or health issues such as heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and more. For example, regular dairy consumption leads to a 60 percent higher risk of prostate cancer and an 80 percent higher risk of breast cancer.

Dairy also leads to several other chronic conditions or problems such as inflammation and acne. The easiest way to keep your body healthy is to phase out dairy products, and yes, that includes cream cheese. Simply adopting a plant-based cream cheese option to your diet can help you keep your body healthier in your day-to-day life.

READ MORE: 8 Ways Avoiding Dairy Can Benefit Your Health

The Best Dairy-Free and Vegan Cream Cheese Alternatives

In this taste test, we tried Miyoko’s Sensational Scallion Vegan Cream Cheese, Kite Hill Everything Cream Cheese, Violife’s Just like Cream Cheese, Tofutti’s Better than Cream Cheese, and Daiya Plain Cream Cheese Style Spread. ‘

Daiya Plain Cream Cheese Spread

This one was a pleasant surprise; a tangy, creamy spread that did a pretty good job of mimicking the original dairy spread. Surprisingly sweet, as if it had a dash of vanilla in it, this cream cheese is a perfect companion for a cinnamon raisin bagel or anything you want to add a hint of sweetness to.

Calories 60

Total Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 4.5g

Protein 0g

Kite Hill Everything Cream Cheese

The texture, while pleasantly whipped and spreadable, is grainy, and the everything seasoning got lost within the tub. The taste wasn’t terrible, it just didn’t taste like cream cheese; the texture is more reminiscent of creamy hummus. I still finished this tub by dipping various crackers and bread into it, but it didn’t serve the original purpose on a bagel, although it was quite delicious as a spread on crackers or sandwiches.

Calories 70

Total Fat 6g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 2g

Miyoko’s Sensational Scallion Vegan Cream Cheese

While this formula was a little heavier and harder to spread than the others, it was the taste that left something to be desired. Strangely, the most overpowering flavor was a lemony citrus taste, masking even the divine savoriness of the scallions. When I mixed equal parts of Miyoko’s Sensational Scallion with another plain cream cheese it evened out this zingy, acidic taste and was far more pleasant. Next time, I might try to mix chopped scallions into my favorite cream cheese instead of buying this pre-made option.

Calories 90

Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 2.5g

Protein 3g

Philadelphia Plant-Based Original Cream Cheese

When Philadelphia Cream Cheese announced it was coming out with an all-plant-based dairy-free formula I practically leaped at the chance to try it. A family favorite for generations, I was practically raised on it. The taste and consistency did not disappoint. On a bagel or in a recipe (cream cheese frosting anyone?) this is the exact same as its parent brand and you could easily fool anyone. Glancing at the label, I was shocked to see it has 6 grams of Saturated Fat and the first ingredient is coconut oil. If you are eating plant-based to avoid unhealthy heart-disease-promoting foods, sat fat from coconut oil is as clogging as that from animal products like butter. If you’re in it for the planet, animals, or a dairy allergy, this is a great choice for you. Keep it handy all during the holidays and everyone will spread it on with abandon!

Calories 60

Total Fat 6g, Saturated Fat 6g

Protein 0g

Tofutti Better than Cream Cheese

Tofutti is probably the most widely available cream cheese, so it’s likely the non-dairy cream cheese served in most bagel spots that actually carry non-dairy options.  This spread is muted beige and slightly grainy, and its tofu roots definitely don’t go unnoticed. While this spread is by no means bad, and I would use it in a pinch, there is something about the aftertaste that I’m not sold on. Almost playdough-y, there’s a distinct bitterness that comes through after the bite.

Calories 90

Total Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 4g

Protein 1g

Trader Joe’s Vegan Cream Cheese

Trader Joe’s has recently updated its vegan cream cheese formulation this year, and it’s made quite an improvement to the taste of this spread. Thick, creamy, and reminiscent of a block of Philadelphia cream cheese, this dairy-free schmear is a great, affordable vegan cream cheese option. It has a mild flavor and doesn’t come across as too tofu-y. It spreads nicely on a bagel or toast, and benefits from mix-ins like scallions or TJ’s everything bagel seasoning.

Calories 90

Total Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 8g

Protein 0g

Treeline Dairy-Free Herb Garlic Soft French-Style

This is not your average plant-based cheese, or in fact, any cheese. This kind of cashew-based creation elevates any meal and could fool cheese lovers into believing that it’s real dairy cheese. When I gave my friend a slice of a baguette and Treeline cheese, she couldn’t believe it was vegan and we basically finished the entire container in one sitting. This option is one of the best for shoppers looking for a heart-healthy option with only 1 gram of saturated fat per serving.

Calories 90

Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 1g

Protein 3g

Violife Just Like Cream Cheese

Wow. This stuff is the real deal: texture, appearance, taste, and slight inclination to melt. Violife’s Just Like Cream Cheese Original leaves almost nothing to be desired, besides maybe a larger tub. Creamy, smooth, and spreadable, this has none of the grainy texture or watery formulas that other non-dairy cream cheeses often have. Mix in sriracha hot sauce or scallions and this easily becomes flavored cream cheese, or try Violife’s garlic & herbs flavor.

Calories 70

Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 6g

Protein 0g

The Bottom Line: When it comes to comfort foods, it can be hard to find plant-based options that feel like they fill the void left after eliminating animal products. Luckily, our taste buds adapt to a plant-based lifestyle, and things that may have tasted far from similar to their animal-product predecessors end up tasting nearly identical to the “real thing” after 1-2 months of going entirely plant-based.

Want to make dairy-free cream cheese from scratch? Try this plant-based homemade cream cheese recipe. 

The post The Best Non-Dairy Cream Cheeses That Taste As Good As The Real Thing appeared first on The Beet.

Dunkin’ teamed up with NotCo’s artificial intelligence group, affectionately named “Giuseppe,” to formulate three vegan doughnuts that feature a dairy-free version of “manjar,” a signature Chilean treat similar to dulce de leche.

Customers can find Dunkin’s innovative vegan doughnuts at all 106 locations in Chile. The partnership launched three doughnut flavors, including Sugared NotManjxr, Boston NotManxr, and Double Boston NotManjxr. The three doughnuts join over a dozen vegan doughnuts that Dunkin’ Chile added to its menu last year.

“We are celebrating 25 years in Chile and we wanted to innovate hand-in-hand with NotCo and create this version of our most classic preparation but with this NotManjxr recipe that fans of our donuts will undoubtedly love,” María Isabel Serrano, Commercial Manager at Dunkin’ Chile, said in a statement.

While Dunkin’ offers vegan doughnuts in Chile, Europe, and other countries, the American brand has yet to debut plant-based doughnuts within the United States, although product success on an international level would likely bring the treats stateside soon.

NotCo Is Making Better Vegan Products

This month, NotCo raised $70 million during a Series D1 funding round led by Princeville Capital and included participation from Jeff Bezos and Marcos Galperin –– CEO of Latin America’s largest tech company MercadoLibre. The funding package brings the company’s total investment to $420 million, helping the company begin its expanding its product distribution, development, and partnerships.

NotCo’s current offerings include plant-based products such as NotMilk, NotBurger, and NotChicken designed by the company’s AI platform “Giuseppe.” The proprietary technology is built to determine the best plant-based ingredients for vegan products based on a molecular level, resulting in near-identical texture and taste to the animal-based counterparts.

“Since day one, our mission has been to create a more sustainable world, transforming the food industry by creating delicious plant-based food available for all tables, kitchens, and pantries,” Matias Muchnick, NotCo co-founder and CEO, said in a statement.

The funding package is also intended to expand the company’s B2B Unit (Business-to-Business). This sector will allow NotCo to cooperate with other brands such as Dunkin’ to accelerate product development in the plant-based industry using its innovative AI platform.

“The food industry desperately needs to adopt technology to dramatically accelerate the product development process, reduce cost, and address the challenges posed by climate change,” Joaquin Rodriguez Torres, co-founder of Princeville Capital and a new member of NotCo’s board of directors, said in a statement.

“NotCo is a very unique company in the food tech space globally with immense potential thanks to the team they have built and its one-of-a-kind AI technology. It’s rare to find a company with such an incredible track record of success in a short period of time, and we’re excited to help bolster the company’s growth and expansion.”

Other investors in NotCo include F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton and Questlove.

NotCo Partners With Kraft Heinz

Before partnering with Dunkin, NotCo teamed up with Kraft Heinz to reinvent the major food company’s massive selection. The collaboration started with the NotCheese American Style Plant-Based Slices at 30 Giant supermarkets in Cleveland, Ohio ahead of a national expansion in 2023.

The company intends to plan to work together to create a plant-based version of Kraft Heinz’s most adored products. This partnership will inform NotCo’s B2B Unit as it begins to help other companies transition to plant-based products.

“Building off the example of our joint venture with Kraft Heinz, we’re excited to develop new, impactful partnerships leveraging our proprietary technology, “Muchnick continued. “These partnerships will help diversify and accelerate our impact while scaling the accessibility of truly delicious plant-based options to further propel the industry forward.”

For more plant-based happenings, check out The Beet’s News articles. 

The Surprising Reasons these Five Country Singers Went Meat-Free

1. Carrie Underwood Loved Her Family’s Farm Animals

Seven-time Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood has been hailed for her “enormous” vocal range. When it comes to her diet, Underwood’s a fan of breakfast burritos and lots of tofu. She doesn’t shy away from the carbs, either. According to Cheat Sheet, one of her favorite snacks is a toasted English muffin with peanut butter.

2. Blake Shelton Wants to Keep Up With His Older Girlfriend

Singer, songwriter, and “The Voice” coach, Blake Shelton, 43, has been working to stay fit recently with help from his long-time love, Gwen Stefani, who is a vegetarian and told him to get off the meat if he wants to feel fitter and lose some weight. Shelton has been trying to keep up with Stefani’s impressive fitness level, according to an interview Stefani gave this fall. The former No Doubt singer and Hollaback girl is a longtime vegetarian, eats a mostly vegan diet, and is super fit– and at 50, looks younger than her years. A source told Gossipcop, “Gwen’s told him the way to lose it is to stay the hell away from meat and bad carbs.” We’re rooting for him!

3. Shania Twain Has the Key to Gorgeous Skin

The best-selling female country music singer in history isn’t buying any expensive steak dinners after a performance. The “Queen of Country Pop” has sold more than 100 million records but says she keeps her meat-free diet simple. She is both vegetarian and eats very little dairy — though at times has said she does eat eggs.

4. Annette Conlon, Folk Artist with a Passion

Americana singer and songwriter Annette Conlon is also a passionate vegan. She started “The Compassionette Tour,” in an effort to bring compassion, social consciousness, human interaction, and animal issues to a mainstream audience.

5. Johnny Cash, Walked the Vegan Line Late in Life

The Man in Black is synonymous with country music, even nearly two decades after his death (1932-2003), probably in part because of the biopic about his life starring vegan actor Joaquin Phoenix. Ask any die-hard country music fan (or your dad, for that matter) and they will tell you that Johnny Cash was one of the best-selling musicians of all-time. His scores of hits include “I Walk the Line” and “Hurt” “A Boy Named Sue” and dozens of others. Cash himself was believed to have lived meat-free later in life to help combat some health issues. At Johnny Cash’s Kitchen and Saloon in Nashville, you can also load up on the meat-free dishes as the restaurant boasts a fully stacked veggie menu that includes greens, sweet potato mash, and fried okra.

The post Are Vegan Donuts Coming to Dunkin? Here’s What We Know appeared first on The Beet.

Ice cream lovers will be able to find the vegan flavor at the three Seattle-based Frankie & Jo’s storefronts throughout December. For consumers outside of the Seattle area, the dairy-free pints can be ordered on the vegan ice cream brand’s website and delivered directly to doorsteps nationwide.

This re-release follows the two brands’ previous collaboration last fall. Frankie & Jo reached out to Miyoko’s when it decided to create a candy bar ice cream. The brand decided to create its creamy caramel base and mixed in butter toffee bars dipped in dairy-free dark chocolate.

“After testing other vegan butters for a chocolate-covered toffee inclusion in our ice cream, we decided that Miyoko’s Creamery made the perfect version that was up to our standards,” Kari Brunson, Frankie & Jo’s CEO and co-owner, told VegNews. “We reached out to see if they were interested in partnering with us, and Miyoko herself was able to taste the ice cream and give it her stamp of approval, and our partnership was born.”

Frankie & Jo’s creates its vegan ice cream with cashew and coconut milk bases. Other flavors include Supercookies & Cream, Jamocha Chaga Fudge, and Brown Sugar Vanilla. The flavors are available for national shipping year-round.

Miyoko Schinner is Crafting a Vegan Empire

Schinner’s eponymous vegan brand aims to provide specialty vegan alternatives for all dairy products. Currently, the brand offers plant-based cheese, butter, and spread that replicate the taste and texture of traditional dairy products. More importantly, Schinner’s vegan alternatives feature the same usability as dairy, allowing consumers to bake and cook with the plant-based products.

Miyoko’s Creamery and upcycling company Renewal Mill recently announced that they will partner o further minimize food waste in the plant-based sector. The companies co-developed a new vegan cookie using Renewal Mill’s upcycled okara flour –– the byproduct of soy milk production –– and leftover vegan butter from Miyoko’s Creamery production runs. The brands released two cookie flavors including Salted Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip. Consumers can purchase these cookies for $2.99 from Renewal Mill’s website.

Fighting for Plant-Based Rights

Miyoko’s Creamery experienced backlash from dairy and animal agriculture giants since 2014 due to its use of “dairy” and “cheese” labels. The brand faced a lawsuit from the California Department of Food and Agriculture, attempting to limit the company’s use of animal-related labels from its products. Miyoko’s subsequently won the lawsuit last August, setting a new protective precedent for plant-based brands nationwide.

To help support farmers that feel threatened by plant-based growth, Schinner teamed up with Mercy for Animals and Animal Outlook to develop a toolkit designed to help farmers transition away from industrial animal agriculture and grow crops instead. The Farmer Toolkit will help farms move away from animal agriculture – a sector that often overlooks the needs of farmers.

For more plant-based happenings, check out The Beet’s News articles. 

The Ultimate Vegan and Dairy-Free Ice Cream Taste Test

Van Leeuwen Vegan Mint Chip Ice Cream

This brand is one of the best anywhere and their vegan choices are no different. The mint chip went the distance in our “food duels” to come out on top in the final five. We loved the fact it tasted like the real thing. One note: It’s higher in fat than most other formulas.

So Delicious Dairy-Free Oh-So Strawberry Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert

We have never seen kids go as crazy for ice cream as these testers did for this tub of strawberry. It literally was met with chants and screams that it tasted like “real strawberry.” If you, too, love strawberry, this treat is for you. Even if you don’t, we think it’s worth a taste.

Ben & Jerry’s Cinnamon Buns Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

If you love cinnamon, meet your new favorite treat. It’s like if a cookie dough ball met a cinnamon bun. If you’re carb-conscious, note there are 35 grams in a half-cup serving, and 25 grams of sugar.

Halo Top Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Halo Top is the best pick for a health-conscious cookie-dough loving ice cream seeker. A serving (half a cup) has 90 calories and 3 grams of protein so if you want the fun of a sweet cold treat with fewer cals, this is your best option. That said, the texture is smooth, so if you’re looking for chunks of cookie dough this isn’t the right pick for you.

Oatly Chocolate Ice Cream

Oatly does it again. First, they claimed the high road with their oat milk that took the nation by storm this past summer. Now they’ve introduced oat milk ice cream that—we swear—is as delish as the classic, and offers seven classic flavors including chocolate, vanilla, salty caramel, strawberry, and hazelnut. We tasted four and loved them all. With 218 calories for a 2/3 cup serving, 23 grams of carbs and 13 grams of fat, this treat is right in the middle of the pack, health-wise. But you’ll love every spoonful.

Koku Moringa Mint Chip

We loved the mint taste and if you like a thinner texture, here’s your pick. It tastes like frozen yogurt and on a hot day that makes for a refreshing change from the creamier options. This version has half the fat and sugar of other mint chip varieties we reviewed.

Halo Top Dairy-Free Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream

Halo Top is super smooth (no need to microwave it right out of the freezer—you can just dig in with your spoon). Our testers loved the milkshake-like quality but there were no chunks of peanut butter cup to be found. Still, with 3 grams of protein and 4 grams of fat, this is among the less-indulgent choices.

365 Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Swirl Frozen Non-Dairy Almond Milk Dessert

This tasted like Moose Tracks, with chunks of chocolate chips and peanut butter swirls in it. We love that it boasts 5 grams of protein, but it also has 20 grams of sugar and 28 grams of carbs.

Van Leeuwen Vegan Peanut Butter Choc Chip Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

This is one of the richest of the bunch, and Van Leeuwen always over-delivers on its promise of taste and texture. The zingy peanut buttery aftertaste means just a little will leave you super satisfied, which is good as it packs a punch in carbs, sugar and fat.

Häagen-Dazs Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge Non-Dairy

This top-five winner was the most like the real thing, and everyone went crazy for it. The chunks of fudge were epic. It’s slightly higher in cals than most other picks, but it also contains 6 grams of protein.

So Delicious Creamy Chocolate Cashewmilk Frozen Dessert

If what you love is a classic chocolate ice cream taste, this delivers. It is creamy and rich, and anyone avoiding coconut milk will appreciate the cashew milk option. Still, with 23 grams of carbs and 21 grams of sugar per 2/3 cup serving, we would limit our consumption to 1/3 a pint at a time.

So Delicious Dairy-Free Chocolate Coconut Milk Frozen Dessertge Template

For chocolate lovers, this is a great choice because it tastes like real ice cream and will satisfy your cravings. But if you’re keeping an eye on saturated fat, this one is on the high end with 10 grams. Still, So Delicious has cracked the code on how to make a plant-based non-dairy ice cream that is …so delicious!

Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Cookie dough is a specific kind of treat that’s like Kryptonite for some people. We are those people. Ben & Jerry’s has figured out not only how to make non-dairy ice cream taste like it’s creamy dairy counterpart, but the cookie dough does, too. How do they do it? We don’t care, we just want more. Caveat: One pint has 1050 calories, and a serving according to the label is 1/3 of a pint. With 49 grams of carbs per serving, proceed with caution.

NadaMoo! Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert, Birthday Cake Cookie Dough

Sometimes you think you don’t love something but you just keep eating it. That was the experience with NadaMoo! Dairy-Free Birthday Cake Cookie Dough. It went fast. Even when some of the testers claimed it wasn’t their favorite, they kept digging in for more. We say: Do you.

Koku Dark Cacao With Reishi Ice Cream

This one was so dark and rich it almost tasted like there was a cherry aftertaste. For dark chocolate lovers, this is the closest thing you’ll get to a dark chocolate bar taste in ice cream. The coconut cream base adds a higher saturated fat content, but it’s lower in sugar than other options on our list at only 9 grams.

NadaMoo! Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert, Dutch Chocolate

This chocolate treat has the least calories per serving of any that we tested, but still delivered all of the taste you’re sure to want from chocolate ice cream. It had a mousse quality that made it fluffy and light. We love the fact that this family-owned company has been creating non-dairy treats for over 15 years and growing strong. Yesamooooo.

So Delicious Oatmilk Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream

This one had actual pieces of oatmeal cookie in it, and we watched the testers go completely bananas for it. The ice cream tasted like the real thing and the cookies were legit home-made quality. How they do this we don’t know but if you love oatmeal cookies, you will love this flavor. Nutrition-wise, this option is higher in fat, carbs and sugar plus contains palm oil.

Halo Top Dairy-Free Oatmeal Cookie

Halo Top deserves kudos for trying to be the healthier choice among non-dairy treats, and we love the overall taste. But if you are looking for a chunky cookie filled ice cream, this isn’t the choice for you. It’s more like a frozen smoothie with an oatmeal cookie vibe. With just 70 calories and 3 grams of fat in half a cup, this is a great choice if you’re watching your intake.

Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Salted Fudge Truffle Non-Dairy

If you love salty-sweet mash-ups, this is the one for you. But if you’re not into salt—skip this. Haagen-Dazs knows what it’s doing—and their dairy-free ice creams are as craveable as the classics. Don’t worry about serving to non-vegans; they won’t have a clue this is plant-based.

NadaMoo! Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert, Rockiest Road

If you like rocky road this will give you the fix you need. Our taste-testers loved the marshmallow sugary sweetness and rocky texture, but ultimately it didn’t make our top five, which was a mystery to one tester who basically devoured the entire pint. That goes to show—every flavor has its fans. Lower in calories per serving sugar and carbs, so pls enjoy!

So Delicious Peachy Maple Pecan Cashewmilk Frozen Dessert

Maple is a specific taste and if you love maple syrup, reach for this fun treat. The testers all seemed to think it was *too* maple syrup-y but we found this to be a fun diversion from the usual suspects.

So Delicious Snickerdoodle Cashewmilk Frozen Dessert

This tastes like a gooey cinnamon roll (swoon) and was one of the favorites of all the ones we tasted. Made of cashew milk, this one is relatively lower in saturated fat (6 grams) and has 3 grams of protein per serving, but is slightly higher in carbs, at 34 grams.

Van Leeuwen Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream

The taste is a chocolate lover’s delight and as with all Van Leeuwen Ice Creams, it is a rich, satisfying treat. We took points off for being higher in saturated fat, but we love that it has 3 grams of fiber.

Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Somehow they have mastered the art of creating non-dairy ice cream that tastes like the real thing. We love Ben & Jerry’s flavors and their chocolate-y fudge brownie was a delight in particular. But for health, we took points off for the 27 grams of added sugar (over half your daily value) per serving.

Ben & Jerry’s Peanut Butter Half Baked Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

We don’t blame anyone who wants to eat the whole pint—it’s that good! This Ben & Jerry’s flavor was among the top five overall winners of our entire plant-based ice cream taste test. It’s so intense it’s like eating half-baked brownies and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups coated in ice cream; AKA all our favorite flavors rolled together. Each serving has 43 grams of carbs and 28 grams of added sugar (that’s 9 teaspoons!).

So Delicious Mint Chip Coconutmilk Frozen Desert

If you love mint, this treat delivers a satisfying fix. Our testers liked the fact that it was less thick in texture than some of the other ice creams we tasted, and on a hot day, it can feel refreshingly light and sweet without the heavy taste of some of the creamier choices.

NadaMoo! Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert, Lotta Mint Chip

We love NadaMoo! for going after the vegan market and coming out with a respectable mint chip treat with half the added sugars and carbs of some of their competitors. With 200 calories in a 2/3 cup and 6 grams of added sugar per serving, this is definitely among the healthiest of the treats. Enjoy!

So Delicious Dairy-Free Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert

When the vanilla bean in this dessert kicks in, you don’t feel like you need any toppings or other flavors to enhance your satisfaction—it’s rich and full all on its own. That said, if you added a topping to it, non-vegans would never tell the difference. We took slight points off for the added sugar at 18 grams per serving, but it still comes in at a respectable 200 calories per serving.

So Delicious Cookies ‘n’ Cream Almondmilk Frozen Dessert

We loved the texture of this one which was like putting Oreo cookies in a blender with vanilla ice cream and freezing it up. The cookie taste infuses the entire ice cream so if you are an Oreo fan, this is your jam. Points off for high sugar (21 grams) but otherwise, this is a winning treat.

So Delicious Cookie Dough Coconutmilk Frozen Dessert

This was as sweet a treat as you could find, and the kids loved it. They enjoyed the chunks of cookie dough in the coconut milk and the ice cream base was thinner than some we tested—a nice counter touch to the rich, thick cookie dough. A bit high in carbs, fat and saturated fat, so if you’re counting, keep an eye on your portion.

Van Leeuwen Vegan Choc Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream

We’re officially fans of every non-dairy dessert that Brooklyn-based Van Leeuwen makes—choc chip cookie dough is no exception. Rich and creamy, the raw cashew milk, coconut cream and cocoa butter base is to live for and makes for a truly decadent dessert.

Oatly Strawberry Ice Cream

Oatly has its act together, and this ice cream proves it. The newcomer to the freezer nudges aside some of the long-time favorites with its oat milk ice cream that tastes as good as—or better than—the real thing. We love the packaging, flavor, and attitude of this brand. It’s a rich treat and anyone who loves strawberry will not be disappointed. Even non-strawberry lovers will be converted. One serving has 20 grams of sugar, but also 1.5 grams of fiber and a small amount of protein.

The post Miyoko’s Creamery’s Limited Edition Ice Cream Is Back: Where to Find It appeared first on The Beet.

The Laughing Cow Plant-Based took Bel Brands longer to complete because the company was dedicated to perfecting a recipe that replicates the creamy texture and taste of its signature cheese wedges. The new plant-based product features an almond milk base blended with coconut oil, sunflower oil, pea protein, and seasonings. The new vegan cheese is fortified with vitamin B12 and provides consumers with a nutritious alternative to their favorite cheese wedges.

“Our innovation pipeline remains strong with the development of new products and flavors, leveraging new and evolving technology with a focus on our ongoing commitment to deliver products that meet the needs of all consumers and that they can feel good about eating,” Florian Decaux, Plant-Based Acceleration Director at Bel Brands USA, said. “By expanding our portfolio and entering strategic partnerships, we are able to act on and embrace key insights, live responsibly, and provide delicious food that enables people to lead a good life.”

American shoppers can find the Laughing Cow Plant-Based at Whole Foods Market locations nationwide this month. The company is launching two flavors including Original and Garlic & Herb. The eight-wedge packs will be available for $5.49.

Bel Brands Partners With Perfect Day

Bel Brands’ three most popular cheese products now have plant-based counterparts, but the major cheese company intends to expand its dairy alternative sector further. The company announced that it would expand its Nurrish selections, partnering with food tech company Perfect Day. To accompany the Laughing Cow launch, Bel Brands released the Nurishh Incredible Dairy Animal-Free Cream Cheese Spread Alternative.

To create the cream cheese alternative, Bel Brands employed Perfect Day’s precision fermentation process to create whey protein that allows the company to create dairy-identical cheese without animals. Using this process, Bel Brands has created a near-identical cream cheese alternative that will be available in Original, Strawberry, and Chive & Onion Flavors.

“This announcement marks an exciting step towards giving even more consumers the ability to try what’s possible when Perfect Day’s innovative animal-free protein is used by a best-in-class dairy leader,” Ryan Pandya, Perfect Day CEO and co-founder, said, “Consumers around the country will now be able to try kinder, greener animal-free cream cheese and make a delicious choice for the future of our planet.”

Last March, Bel Brands launched Nurishh as its first strictly alternative dairy brand, debuting a selection of six vegan cheeses. Now, the Nurishh Incredible Dairy will join the brand’s planet-friendly portfolio on January 1, launching at Kroger stores nationwide for $4.99.

Expanding Vegan Cheese Selection

Bel Brands first entered the dairy-free cheese industry when it revealed an alternative to its iconic Boursin cheese spread. The Boursin Dairy-Free Cheese Spread Alternative launched in late 2020, developed with the vegan giant Follow Your Heart. Then this February, Bel Brands reinvented its iconic lunchbox staple: Babybel. The company released a vegan version of its classic mini-mozzarella wheels, packaged in a green wax to replace its signature red wax.

“At Bel Brands USA, we’re proud to offer a wide array of products for cheese lovers everywhere regardless of their dietary and lifestyle preferences,” Shannon Maher, Chief Marketing Officer at Bel Brands USA, said.

“Building on the success and consumer excitement from Babybel Plant-Based and Boursin Dairy-Free, we’re thrilled to unveil new innovations from both our most well-known brand with the launch of The Laughing Cow Plant-Based as well as leveraging new technology through a partnership with Perfect Day to launch our breakthrough animal-free offering with Nurishh Incredible Dairy,” Maher said. “When it comes to all of our offerings, fans don’t have to compromise on taste, flavor, or enjoyment.”

For more plant-based happenings, check out The Beet’s News articles. 

The Top 10 Plant-Based Sources of Calcium

1. Pinto Beans

Pinto beans have 78.7 milligrams in one cup so add these to any salad, dip or burrito.

2. Molasses

Molasses has 82 milligrams in 2 tablespoons. Use it in baking instead of sugar. Look for Blackstrap molasses, and keep in mind that these have been used in recipes for 100s of years, especially in the South. Molasses is also believed to help relieve stress and anxiety.

3. Tempeh

Tempeh has 96 milligrams of calcium in 100 grams when cooked. You can make chicken substitute from it.

4. Tofu

Tofu has about 104mg in one ounce when prepared pan-fried. Throw it in your stir fry, or order it at your next Chinese meal with veggies. It’s the perfect non-meat protein. (Note look for the calcium quotient on the Nutrition Facts on the label.)

5. Bok Choy

Bok choy has 158 milligrams of calcium in one cup. Add it to your soup, stir fry or salad.

6. Soybeans

Soybeans have 175 milligrams of calcium per cup. Sprinkle them on a salad.

7. Kale

Kale has 177 milligrams in one cup. The heroic green makes a great salad, goes in smoothies and delivers a healthy dose of fiber as well.

8. Turnip Greens

Turnip greens have 197 milligrams in one cup. Add them to your favorite soup or smoothie.

10. Collard Greens

Collard greens have 268 milligrams of calcium in one cup. Substitute it for string beans.

10. Milk Alternatives

Alternate milks like almond, soy or rice milk have 300-500 milligrams of calcium in 8 ounces so use any of these on your cereal or in your morning smoothie.

The post Laughing Cow Plant-Based Cheese Is Finally in Stores. Here’s Where appeared first on The Beet.

Califia Farms states that its new unflavored and unsweetened product can be used in soups, salad dressings, creamy desserts, and much more. The multi-functional dairy-free ingredient will help cooks produce traditional animal-based recipes as fully vegan. The vegan whipping cream, made from coconut oil, features a non-GMO, Kosher, and non-GMO recipe.

“At Califia, we’re passionate about celebrating the irresistible goodness of plants, and we saw an opportunity to create a plant-based swap for dairy-heavy whipping cream without compromising on taste and functionality,” Suzanne Ginestro, Califia’s chief marketing officer, said. “Heavy Whip allows any recipe’s ingredients to shine through and makes it easier than ever for consumers to experiment with plant-based options.”

To help debut this new product, Califia Farms recently teamed up with celebrity chef Carla Hall to release the digital cookbook “Comfort Kitchen: A Dairy-Free & Plant-Based Recipe Collection.” Heavy Whip is included in two recipes including a Creamy Mushroom Soup and a Flaky Biscuit Shortcake with Mixed Berries.

“I am thrilled to introduce this new recipe collection with Califia Farms,” Hall said. “I love cooking and baking with their products, and their new, dairy-free Heavy Whip is a game-changer for cooks! It’s an ideal one-to-one swap that makes the creamiest, dairy-free soups and works equally well as a 100 percent plant-based dessert topping and as an ingredient in so many other recipes. I had so much fun creating these delicious, comfort food recipes and can’t wait for everyone to try them!”

Heavy Whip is available at Whole Foods Markets, Sprouts, and other retail locations across the United States for a suggested retail price of $4.89 per 16.9-ounce container.

Avoiding Dairy for Your Health

Picking a plant-based alternative to dairy is associated with several significant health benefits. By eating and drinking dairy, the risk of disease, strokes, and heart attacks is significantly higher than those who follow a plant-based diet. For example, dairy consumption is linked to an 80 percent higher risk of breast cancer and a 60 percent increased risk of prostate cancer.

For athletes, regular dairy consumption leads to higher levels of inflammation, slowing recovery time and greatly increasing your risk for injury. And since plant-based options contain less saturated fat than conventional cow-based milk, choosing plant-based alternatives is associated with a 21 percent lower risk of heart disease.

Plant-Based Alternatives to Dairy

Califia Farms is helping hungry vegan shoppers avoid dairy with Heavy Whip, and several other brands have developed plant-based alternatives to conventional dairy products. Currently, half of Gen Z consumers feel embarrassed purchasing milk, increasing the need for plant-based options everywhere. So, check out these lists of the best vegan dairy products:

• Best Dairy-Free Yogurt
• Non-Dairy Chocolate Milk
• Non-Dairy Coffee Creamers
• Non-Dairy Cream Cheese
• Non-Dairy Ice Creams
• Non-Dairy Milk
• Vegan Butter

For more plant-based happenings, visit The Beet’s News articles. 

6 Best Dairy-Free Protein Shakes

When you skipped lunch to get to boot-camp class and now have to race back to the office without eating, it’s good to have a couple of options for refueling on the go. So we taste-tested the best plant-based shakes, each one with about 15 grams or more of plant-based protein and fewer carbs, sugars and artificial flavorings.

The post New for the Holidays: Califia Farms’ Vegan Heavy Whipping Cream appeared first on The Beet.

For months, the two companies have worked together to develop plant-based recipes for Kraft Heinz’s beloved food products. This November, the companies will launch the NotCheese American Style Plant-Based Slices at 30 Giant supermarkets in Cleveland, Ohio. The first iteration of the dairy-free cheese slices will be available in American, provolone, and cheddar flavors. The product will be available for a limited time to test its popularity before expanding to retailers nationwide in 2023.

The vegan Kraft Singles contains a blend of coconut oil, water, modified corn starch, and chickpea protein to replicate the texture and nutrient content of the conventional Kraft cheese slices. The company revealed that the dairy-free Kraft Singles will be listed at an affordable price intended to cater to shoppers looking to incorporate plant-based foods without breaking their budget. The partnership is also working on a vegan version of Heinz’s signature mayonnaise, slated to release in 2023 as well.

Kraft Goes Vegan

To create near-identical vegan Kraft slices, The Kraft Heinz Not Company used NotCo’s proprietary artificial intelligence platform –– named Giuseppe –– which is designed to choose the best plant-based ingredients to replicate the taste and texture of animal products. With the innovative technology, the two companies can effectively determine the best plant-based recipe to reimagine traditionally dairy-filled products such as Kraft Singles.

By partnering with NotCo, The Kraft Heinz Company will be able to better expand its plant-based development with the AI-powered discovery platform. With the company’s extensive industry knowledge and established brand portfolio, the two companies aim to reimagine the dairy industry, resulting in major changes in the American food system.

“The joint venture with NotCo is a critical step in the transformation of our product portfolio and a tremendous addition to our brand design-to-value capabilities,” Miguel Patricio, CEO of Kraft Heinz, said in a statement this February. “It helps deliver on our vision to offer more clean, green, and delicious products for consumers. We believe the technology that NotCo brings is revolutionizing the creation of delicious plant-based foods with simpler ingredients.”

So far, “Guiseppe” has helped NotCo create near-identical versions of milk, meat, and mayonnaise with ingredients such as coconut, cabbage, bamboo, beets, chickpeas, and pineapple. The company aims to motivate other major companies such as Heinz to implement plant-based ingredients as shoppers increasingly search for plant-based products.

“When we started NotCo, it was our goal to make our technology a catalyst for a more sustainable food system not only for us but for other brands and manufacturers who share the same ambition,” NotCo CEO and co-founder Matias Muchnick said in a statement in February.

NotCo Becomes a Major Vegan Player

Since launching in 2015, NotCo has reached a valuation of $1.5 billion following its series D funding round hosted last summer. The funding round included high-profile investors such as the musician Questlove, Formula 1 Racer Lewis Hamilton, and tennis champion Roger Federer. The company is also backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

This May, NotCo moved into the food service sector by teaming up with Shake Shack. The two companies launched the major fast-food chain’s first-ever dairy-free milkshakes and frozen custard at 10 locations in South Florida and New York.

“We have been looking at the plant-based space for a while and are so excited to be partnering with an innovative food-tech leader such as NotCo,” Jeff Amoscato, Senior Vice President of Supply Chain and Menu Innovation at Shake Shack, said in a statement. “Non-dairy custard and shakes have been something our guests have wanted and we are looking forward to seeing where this test takes us.”

For more plant-based happenings, visit The Beet’s News articles.

Fast-food restaurants have finally got the memo that their customer base isn’t just coming through for a burger, fried chicken, or a beef taco. Many now have plant-based foods and are coming up with creative, delicious ways to get more greens on the menu. Here are the 6 best fast-food chains with plant-based options on the menu.

1. Burger King

Turns out there’s a lot more to rely on than a salad if you’re eating plant-based. Burger King has the Impossible Whopper featuring a meatless patty as well as a few secretly vegan options such as the French Toast Sticks and Hashbrowns.

2. White Castle

Known for its mini square-shaped sliders, this hamburger chain jumped on the plant-based bandwagon at some participating locations. You can find an Impossible Slider on some White Castle menus.

3. Del Taco

This was the first national Mexican fast-food chain to offer Beyond Meat at the company’s 580 restaurants across the country. Del Taco has the Beyond Avocado Taco on the menu along with the Epic Beyond Original Mex Burrito and Avocado Veggie Bowl.

4. Carl’s Jr.

Another brand synonymous with beef burgers, Carl’s Jr. offers several plant-based options for veggie and plant lover such as Beyond Famous Star Burger and Guacamole Thickburger.

5. Taco Bell

This fast-food restaurant may have been one of the first you frequented while transitioning to plant-based eating. That’s because Taco Bell has eight million vegetarian combinations and sells 350 million vegetarian items a year through menu substitutions or ordering off their vegetarian menu. In fact, they were the first quick-service restaurant to offer American Vegetarian Association (AVA) certified food options.

6. Starbucks

From the time it started offering breakfast sandwiches in 2006, the coffee conglomerate became a competitor in the fast-food space. You can get your favorite hot and cold beverages made with almond, coconut or oat milk but there are also plant-based food options available such as the Baja Black Bean Veggie Wrap, bagel with vegan cream cheese and Impossible Breakfast Sandwich.

The post Vegan Kraft Singles Are Here! Where to Find the Dairy-Free Favorites appeared first on The Beet.

Danone, the international food giant responsible for Silk, So Delicious, and Vega, intends to ensure that its plant-based milk products contain optimal nutrient levels when compared to conventional cow’s milk. The company just announced that it will devote $22 million toward wellness initiatives that will improve its plant-based brands, providing American consumers with the healthiest plant-based milk alternatives available.

Danone revealed its plans during the recent White House conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, hosted by President Joe Biden to discuss solutions to hunger and food insecurity in the United States. The major food conglomerate intends to reformulate over 70 percent of its plant-based beverages to optimize their nutrient density by 2030.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to be part of the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health – an event which provides a historic opportunity to engage stakeholders across the food system to address these critical topics,” Shane Grant, CEO at Danone North America, said during a conference at the White House this week.

“At Danone, our mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible is embedded into everything we do, and for the last 50 years, we’ve worked to create both shareholder and societal value through what we call our Dual Project. The investment we announced today illustrates our mission in action.”

Danone Wants to Make Products Healthier

Danone revealed its plans to update its product portfolio’s nutritional profile in response to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcement that it plans to revise the requirements for “healthy” food labels. The FDA aims to limit the saturated fat, sugar, and sodium contents of “healthy” labeled products. Immediately after, the International Dairy Foods Association urged the FDA to allow dairy manufacturers to be allowed higher sugar content for taste.

Now, Danone will spend the remainder of the decade improving its product selection to cater to health-conscious Americans. The new wellness initiative will also tackle food insecurity through plant-based and sustainable solutions.

• $15 million will be dedicated to expanding nutrition education efforts for healthcare providers and consumers nationwide.
• Danone will invest $3 million to expand the accessibility and improve the affordability of nutrient-filled, health-centric products.
• $4 million will be allocated to enhancing nutrition and food security research through industry collaboration, non-profits, and research grants.
• Plans to limit sugar content in over 95 percent of its children’s products, while also increasing the nutrient density of over 70 percent of its current plant-based beverages.

White House’s First-Ever Conference on Nutrition

Last week, the White House hosted its first conference on health and nutrition in over 50 years, inviting hundreds of attendees including doctors, food company executives, farmers, and policymakers, as well as non-profits, all called on to work together and commit over $8 billion toward the goal of ending hunger and make nutritious, healthy foods affordable and accessible to all Americans.

During the conference, Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) –– a national nonprofit working to improve food equity –– unveiled new corporate partners in its commitment to add 100 million additional servings of vegetables, fruits, and beans to the U.S. marketplace by 2025. The campaign dedicated to combating food insecurity enlisted major companies and organizations including Dole Packaged Foods, Instacart, International Fresh Produce Association, KinderCare Learning Companies, and the National Automatic Merchandising Association.

“In every country in the world, in every state in this country, no matter what else divides us, if a parent cannot feed a child, there’s nothing else that matters to that parent,” President Joe Biden said during the White House conference.

For more plant-based happenings, visit The Beet’s News stories. 

The Top 10 Plant-Based Sources of Calcium

1. Pinto Beans

Pinto beans have 78.7 milligrams in one cup so add these to any salad, dip or burrito.

2. Molasses

Molasses has 82 milligrams in 2 tablespoons. Use it in baking instead of sugar. Look for Blackstrap molasses, and keep in mind that these have been used in recipes for 100s of years, especially in the South. Molasses is also believed to help relieve stress and anxiety.

3. Tempeh

Tempeh has 96 milligrams of calcium in 100 grams when cooked. You can make chicken substitute from it.

4. Tofu

Tofu has about 104mg in one ounce when prepared pan-fried. Throw it in your stir fry, or order it at your next Chinese meal with veggies. It’s the perfect non-meat protein. (Note look for the calcium quotient on the Nutrition Facts on the label.)

5. Bok Choy

Bok choy has 158 milligrams of calcium in one cup. Add it to your soup, stir fry or salad.

6. Soybeans

Soybeans have 175 milligrams of calcium per cup. Sprinkle them on a salad.

7. Kale

Kale has 177 milligrams in one cup. The heroic green makes a great salad, goes in smoothies and delivers a healthy dose of fiber as well.

8. Turnip Greens

Turnip greens have 197 milligrams in one cup. Add them to your favorite soup or smoothie.

10. Collard Greens

Collard greens have 268 milligrams of calcium in one cup. Substitute it for string beans.

10. Milk Alternatives

Alternate milks like almond, soy or rice milk have 300-500 milligrams of calcium in 8 ounces so use any of these on your cereal or in your morning smoothie.

The post Is Plant-Based Milk Good for You? This Company is Making it Healthier appeared first on The Beet.

One-third of Americans regularly drink non-dairy milk at least weekly, according to MFAT Market Intelligence. Milk is quickly falling out of fashion –– and it’s taking chocolate milk with it. Similar to regular plant-based milk products, non-dairy chocolate milk brands use several ingredients such as almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, oats, or peas to replicate the creamy, rich texture of a conventional glass of chocolate milk.

With less saturated fat and additives than traditional cow’s milk, non-dairy chocolate milk products offer consumers a healthier option with the same sweet flavor. Cutting out the dairy from traditional milk chocolate, these beverages have been specially crafted to deliver an allergen-friendly indulgence to all shoppers. For example, traditional chocolate milk contains 5 grams of saturated fat per serving whereas several plant-based alternatives contain zero saturated fats.

Why You Should Avoid Dairy

Milk is the top source of saturated fat in the traditional American diet, according to Lee Crosby, R.D., nutrition education program manager at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. By eating and drinking more cow’s milk, you are increasing your risk of disease, strokes, and heart attacks.

Those who drink a quarter cup of milk per day show a 17 percent higher risk of breast cancer, according to one study published in BMC Medicine. One other study found that drinking milk increases the risk of prostate cancer by 60 percent.

Dairy giants often encourage shoppers to keep eating milk products, claiming dairy protein is necessary for good athletic performance. However, consuming dairy is linked to heightened inflammation, making it harder to breathe, delaying recovery times, and causing joint and muscle pains.

For the eco-conscious shopper, choosing dairy-free chocolate milk over traditional cow’s milk significantly benefits the environment. One serving of dairy milk is responsible for nearly three times more greenhouse gas emissions than a serving of non-dairy milk, according to a recent study. Making the simple switch from conventional chocolate milk to dairy-free alternatives can help protect the planet, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce the milk industry’s excessive land usage.

The Best Non-Dairy Chocolate Milks

Now, you can revisit your childhood with several chocolate milk products that use a variety of exciting ingredients. From pea milk to oat milk, these brands have provided near-identical alternatives to the beloved indulgent beverage. So, put the chocolate syrup aside and give these brands a try.

Almond Breeze Chocolate

Creamy and rich but not too thick, Almond Breeze’s chocolate milk strikes the perfect balance of cocoa and sweetness. If you like your chocolate milk extra chocolatey, this is the one for you, with its rich, indulgent taste. The consistency is reminiscent of dairy milk and is not overly greasy, unlike some plant milks. This milk is delicious on its own or mixed into coffee or smoothies.

Calories 100

Total Fat 2.5g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 1g

Bored Cow Chocolate

Bored Cow’s rich, creamy milk will trick anyone into believing they are drinking a conventional glass of chocolate milk. And that’s because it’s as close as you can get to tasting like dairy without the cow. Bored Cow uses Perfect Day’s animal-free whey to replicate the taste and texture of traditional cow’s milk with no animal involvement. This near-identical chocolate milk is 100 percent lactose-free, low in saturated fat, and gluten-free. Anyone with a milk allergy should avoid drinking Bored Cow because it contains whey.

Calories 150

Total Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 1g

Protein 11g

Chobani Oat Chocolate

Chobani’s chocolate oat milk is a frontrunner in a competitive field. This chocolate milk offers a smooth consistency and avoids being too oily or too thick. For heart-conscious shoppers, Chobani contains zero saturated fat and only 5 grams of total fat per serving. We all know that chocolate milk is supposed to be a treat, but Chobani’s 16 grams of sugar is significantly higher than most of its competitors. Try Chobani if you need to win over a picky child, but eventually find an option with lower sugar content.

Calories 140

Total Fat 6g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 2g

Elmhurst Milked Oats Chocolate

With only six ingredients, Elmhurst’s Chocolate Oat Milk provides shoppers with a simple yet luscious chocolate milk. This simple recipe makes Elmhurst friendly for anyone looking for an allergen-friendly option. The vegan chocolate milk is carrageenan-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and made with no gums or emulsifiers. However, Elmurst still managed to create thick chocolate milk reminiscent of traditional cow’s milk. With only 0.5 grams of saturated fat and 4 grams of fiber, this chocolate milk is your best bet for a heart- and gut-healthy option.

Calories 110

Total Fat 2g, Saturated Fat 0.5g

Protein 3g

Oatly Oat Milk Chocolate

Oatly’s chocolate milk is so good – and popular –  that you will have trouble finding it stocked at the grocery store. This delectable plant-based milk delivers Oatly’s usual creamy consistency with a hefty dose of cacao for a deep chocolate flavor. For some shoppers, Oatly’s 16 grams of sugar per serving might be too much, but every once in a while, it’s worth indulging in this rich beverage. Add this oat-based chocolate milk to your cup of coffee or enjoy it alone!

Calories 150

Total Fat 3.5g, Saturated Fat 0.5g

Protein 3g

Malk Oat Chocolate

Sometimes you just need a sweet treat. In Malk, we found that classic chocolate milk tastes we loved as a child. This oat milk is made with just 5 simple, organic ingredients: Filtered Water, Organic, Gluten-Free Oats, Organic Cocoa, Pure, Organic Vanilla Extract made from Vanilla Beans, Himalayan Pink Salt. It’s just sweet enough to be a treat, and super chocolatey in taste. The richness of the oat milk will bring you back to the chocolate milk of your childhood, but without all the added sugar. With only 4 grams of natural sugar, it has less than regular milk!

Calories 80

Total Fat 2g, Saturated Fat 0.5g

Protein 2g

Mooala Bananamilk Chocolate

We actually bought this banana chocolate milk by accident, the first time. But once we tasted it, it belonged in the cart every time. If you need a chocolate fix daily, then this is a great go-to since it’s healthy and indulgent. Make popsicles or a chocolate protein shake. It tastes like the old boxed chocolate milk of our past, except creamier. It’s almost like a smoothie or melted chocolate popsicle, with a hint of banana. If you’re a chocolate lover and want a healthier option, this milk alternative is for you. Try making a protein shake and add a spoonful of peanut butter.

Calories 90

Total Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 0.5g

Protein 2g

Ripple Dairy Free Chocolate Milk

Ripple’s pea-based milk is built for your nutrition. Packed with rich cocoa and 8 grams of protein, Ripple’s Plant-Based Chocolate Milk provides us with the best of both worlds –– you will never want to go back to dairy-based chocolate milk. This plant-based milk contains 40 percent less sugar than conventional chocolate milk, has 50 percent more calcium than conventional milk, and offers shoppers an allergen-friendly option. Give Ripple a try and you will never look back!

Calories 140

Total Fat 4.5g, Saturated Fat 0.5g

Protein 8g

Rise Brewing Co. Organic Oat Milk Chocolate

Rise Brewing Co. delivers chocolate oat milk that doubles down on health benefits, containing twice the fiber of cow’s milk and half the sugar of most chocolate milks or even plant-based alternatives. This deliciously rich oat milk is made with simple, organic ingredients including cacao, sunflowers, sea salt, and oats that provide plenty of vitamins including vitamin D, vitamin B12, and more. This nitro coffee company managed to use just six ingredients to create simple, smooth chocolate milk.

Calories 160

Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 1g

Protein 1g

Silk Soy Chocolate

Silk Soy Chocolate is almost too indulgent to believe that it’s healthy. Despite being thinner than its competitors, Silk’s Soy Chocolate Milk is an excellent source of calcium (50 percent more than conventional dairy) and a fantastic source of heart-healthy protein (8 grams per serving). However, with 20 grams of added sugar, the delicious taste comes at a cost! Enjoy a glass of Silk’s sweet chocolate milk but do so in moderation.

Calories 150

Total Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 1g

Protein 9g

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