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.

These days you can even find delicious, egg-free nog in your refrigerator case at the supermarket, and some of the milk carton versions actually do a pretty good job of mimicking that iconic creamy, nutmeg-y taste of everyone’s favorite festive winter drink. If you’re living the dairy-free life, you might even think of having fun making your own batch for friends (you don’t even have to tell them it’s vegan –– that’s between you and Santa). Here are our favorite store-bought dairy-free eggnogs to help celebrate the holidays.

The Best Vegan and Dairy-Free Eggnog Brands

Almond Breeze Almondmilk Nog

Almond Breeze is a classic-tasting eggnog that everyone will love for the holidays. Almond Breeze milk alternatives have never failed us and the brand’s eggnog lives up to all expectations we have of the taste and texture, despite the fact that it’s dairy-free. It’s one of the most allergen-friendly options. since it’s not only dairy-free but also soy-free, lactose-free, peanut-free, casein-free, egg-free, and gluten-free.

We loved this one served up plain, but we also think Almond Breeze is a tasty option for your spiked eggnog. Almond Breeze’s nog will fool your non-vegan guests into thinking they’re drinking the real deal. Serve it up and then show them the carton after!

Nutrition Facts:

• Total Fat: 1.5g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 75mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 14g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 11g
• Protein: 1g

Trader Joe’s Almond Nog

Trader Joe’s almond-based eggnog was an office favorite and you should run, don’t walk, to get your hands on a container. If you don’t like overly sweetened eggnog and you are happy with a thinner consistency, this one is the nog for you. A true eggnog lover will search for the spicy and sweet flavors found in traditional eggnogs, but healthier is always our goal so we were thrilled with TJ’s formula. The thinner pour makes this the perfect choice for a nog latte.

Nutrition Facts:

• Total Fat: 1.5g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 65mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 9g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 8g
• Protein: <1g

Califia Farms Holiday Nog

The office was divided on Califia’s Holiday Nog: Some of our coworkers found the spices and taste to resemble the exact taste of the traditional nog they grew up with, whereas others thought it tasted too sweet, like liquid candy. This nog is for anyone who loves notes of nutmeg and ginger. Califia’s is also the creamiest option of the bunch, and makes you feel like you’re indulging in a sweet treat – but with only 1.5 grams of fat and no saturated fat, it’s the kind of plant-based treat that isn’t too terrible for you. So enjoy!

Nutrition Facts:

• Total Fat: 1.5g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 90mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 9g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 8g
• Protein: 1g

Good Karma Dairy-Free Holiday Nog

Good Karma’s Flaxmilk Holiday Nog is perfect for anyone who is nut-free or who doesn’t like the taste and consistency of almond milk. This nog is the most allergen-friendly since it is free of the top eight allergens including, gluten, dairy, and nuts. The holiday nog is made with flaxseed oil and most closely resembles the texture of traditional nog.

If you enjoy a creamer on the sweeter side, then you will love Good Karma’s nog. Want to fancy up your morning joe? This “veg-nog” blends perfectly with a cup of strong coffee, creating a sweetened holiday-infused morning beverage.  We appreciate the relatively low carbs (8g per serving), so this is your best bet if you’re watching your waist and still want to feel like you’re celebrating the holidays in style.

Nutrition Facts:

• Total Fat: 1.5g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 80mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 8g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 8g
• Protein: 0g

So Delicious Coconutmilk Holiday Nog

So Delicious is one of those companies that named itself perfectly. Sip their almond milk eggnog and you want to say the words! The consistency of their nog mimics conventional ones perfectly, with a rich taste and the same creamy thickness as real nog.  The coconut flavor adds a nice taste for a holiday bevy, but treat this nog as an indulgence since it has 2 grams of saturated fat and 15 grams of carbs. So what? It’s the holidays! Add this sweet dairy-free nog to your grocery list.

Nutrition Facts:

• Total Fat: 2g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 115mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 15g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 15g
• Protein: 0g

Elmhurst 1925 Oat Nog

What can we say? We love Elmhurst, which switched from being a dairy company to a plant-based company back in 2017 (way ahead of its time) and changed the name to Elmhurst 1925. Now it’s the fastest-growing plant-based beverage company on the market! You can tell your guests that as you serve them this amazingly homemade-tasting eggnog, which is made with oat milk, and just the right amount of sweetness and spice.

Elmhurst 1925’s Oat Nog formula is that holy grail of eggnogs: the perfect combination of flavor and sweetness without being too thick or too sweet. It’s as good as real without being over the top. Made with only six ingredients, Elmhurst 1925’s Oat Nog makes the perfect holiday coffee creamer or mixer for your holiday gathering. Do leave the carton in view, since it will be a conversation starter among your guests.

Nutrition Facts:

• Total Fat: 2g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 60mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 18g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 9g
• Protein: 2g

How to make the best vegan eggnog

Not a fan of store-bought vegan eggnogs? (If you taste our favorites you might change your mind.) But if you prefer to make your holiday treats and beverages from scratch, this recipe will become a family favorite for years to come.

Vegan Eggnog

Prep Time: 1
Cook Time: 15
Total Time: 16 minutes (make it 1 to 2 hours ahead to allow it to cool)
Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

• 2 cups oat milk
• 2 tbsp sweetened condensed coconut milk (or more oat milk)
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar or 2-4 tbsp of maple syrup (for desired sweetness)
• 1 tbsp arrowroot powder
• 2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

• Please read through the entire instructions before beginning.
• Prep: Measure out all ingredients.
• Whisk: In a large pot on the stove, whisk together all of the ingredients until combined. Vigorously whisk until there are no more clumps of arrowroot starch.
• Heat: Then turn the stovetop up to medium-high, and heat the vegan eggnog until right before it boils. You should see a few small bubbles appear. Reduce heat to low, and whisk until it thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
• Cool: Remove the eggnog from the heat and allow the eggnog to cool for 5 minutes. Then carefully pour the eggnog into an airtight glass and store. Allow the mixture to cool until it’s not warm. Then place eggnog safely in the fridge to chill for 1-2 hours.
• Enjoy: Serve with or without alcohol and enjoy!

For more great product reviews, check out The Beet Meters. 

The post The Best Vegan Eggnog to Buy Plus a Homemade Dairy-Free Recipe appeared first on The Beet.

Of course, shakes have traditionally had a terrible reputation as being full of sugar, low in fiber and protein, and about as healthy as a candy bar.

The latest crop of vegan and plant-based protein shakes is a new, healthier generation, made with dairy-free milk such as almond, oat, and coconut. So we went in search of the tastiest, healthiest plant-based shakes that we could find.

These portable dairy-free shakes come in resealable bottles, and many don’t have to be refrigerated until after opening — so they’re also great to pack for commuting.

Editor’s Note: Many of these shakes contain MCT oil and if you are following a keto diet it can help you get your calories from fat – not carbs – because it’s a naturally occurring fat from coconut oil. If you’re avoiding oils, we suggest you look out for MCT oil as something to avoid. And The Beet always encourages you to eat a diet of mostly whole, unprocessed foods, but when you don’t have that option, plant-based protein shakes can help tide you over until your next healthy meal.

The Best Dairy-Free Protein Shakes

During a taste test, we were pleasantly surprised at how full these plant-based protein shakes kept us feeling. Consuming one with a light lunch kept us satiated until dinner, and the coffee-flavored varieties easily took the place of a morning latte (with more nutrition, to boot).

While serving vegan protein shakes chilled is recommended, you can experiment with how you consume these, too. For example, try pouring a vanilla shake over your cereal in lieu of your normal milk, or drink a chocolate shake hot (heating gently in the microwave) for a sweet post-dinner treat that tastes like — you guessed it — hot chocolate.

For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products. 

The Healthiest Vegan Protein Shakes

Overall Winner:

1. Happy Viking Triple Chocolate Protein Shake

Happy Viking was launched by Venus Williams when she couldn’t find a workout recovery drink that she liked enough to make it a regular ritual. With plant-based protein and a rich chocolaty taste, HV satisfies every craving while delivering a blend of clean, pea and brown rice protein along with nutrients like potassium and iron to your body.

While we can’t all hit a forehand like Wiliams, now we can replenish our muscles after a workout the way she does. Keep these at your desk or bring one in your bag for those moments when you want chocolate but also something healthy.

2. Ripple Vegan Protein Shakes

Ripple is making waves and is popular among shakes because its pea formula is clean and protein-packed. Creamy and almost milkshake-like in texture when chilled, the Salted Caramel variety is divine and a solid stand-in for a sweet snack or dessert any day. Vanilla, coffee, and chocolate also earned high marks, with the only downside being the high sodium content in these shakes.

3. OWYN Vegan Protein Shake

At first, this bottle was slightly annoying to open, as it not only has a plastic seal but a foil seal covering the top that was tricky to remove. However, both the Cold Brew Coffee (perfect for a morning commute) and vanilla flavors were delicious enough to make up for it. We loved how this drink is free of the top eight allergens, stevia, and sugar alcohols; is high in fiber, and it comes in more outside-the-box flavors like Cookies N Cream and Turmeric Golden.

4. Oath Organic Oat Milk + Plant Protein

Three cheers to Oath for incorporating oat milk in vegan protein shakes. The creative flavors of this organic drink enticed us to want to try them all. While we didn’t love Matcha Chai, the others—including Golden Turmeric, Indian Rose, and Double Chocolate — made for smooth sipping. With 210-260 calories apiece, these are heartier than some other shakes, thanks to the addition of both almond and pumpkin seed protein (and MCT oil in the Turmeric variety).

5. Soylent Complete Protein

A protein drink called Soylent Complete Protein is the latest product from this company, known for its meal-replacement products. More than just a protein shake, Soylent includes nootropics said to boost energy and focus. This bottle, like OWYN, features the pesky double seal, but the reward is inside: The chocolate drink is velvety and luscious (you could have fooled us that this was actually chocolate milk), and it’s packed with vitamins and minerals, including 100 percent of the daily recommendation for vitamins B6 and B12.

6. Aloha Protein Drink

Known for its protein bars and protein powder, Aloha recently added plant-based protein drinks to its lineup. Made with a blend of pea and brown rice protein, coconut milk, and MCT oil, these are free of any artificial ingredients and only contain 5 grams of sugar. The angled top on the cardboard container is slightly awkward to drink from, but the silky shake makes up for it. We like the vanilla flavor best, beating out chocolate sea salt (we missed the salt here) and coconut.

Your Guide to The Best Plant-Based Protein Powders: We Tasted 9 Bestsellers

1. Vega Protein & Greens

The base of Vega is pea protein, brown rice protein, and sacha inchi (a seed eaten like a nut) protein. One serving of Vega has only 80 calories and 15g of protein. Vega’s protein powder is a great choice for anyone who struggles to get enough greens in their diet. The proteins are combined with alfalfa powder, spinach powder, broccoli powder, and organic kale powder giving you 2 servings of veggies in one scoop. The taste of this protein was described as “artificial” whereas others thought it tasted like birthday cake. We recommend adding this into a smoothie, but luckily all you have to add is fruit since Vega has the greens covered. This low-cal powder won’t break the bank at $1.20 a scoop.

2. TB12 Vanilla Plant-Based Protein

Tom Brady’s TB12 pea protein powder consists of simple ingredients with no additives. For anyone who is allergic to soy or nuts, TB12’s pea protein-based powder is a great option. It’s hard to say no to this powder with 24 grams of protein. Don’t hide this powder in a smoothie, mix it with water and you will immediately see a thick consistency resembling a vanilla milkshake. Not only does it look like a milkshake, but it tastes like it too. TB12 recommends drinking this powder up to 20 minutes after a workout for the best recovery. You have to order this powder on the TB12 website since it isn’t available in stores or on Amazon. Less than $2 per serving!

3. PlantFusion Complete Protein

PlantFusion is a blend of peas, artichokes, algae, and superfoods. The deep yellow-gold coloring of PlantFusion’s protein powder set this brand apart from the rest. Some testers found the flavor wasn’t overwhelming, making it a great addition to a smoothie, whereas others felt the powder was sweet. For those of you who aren’t a fan of Stevia, buy the natural, no-stevia blend. This protein powder is low in fat, and carbs, making it a great choice for anyone wanting to lose weight while still getting enough protein (21g a serving). PlantFusion’s powder has a sweetness not everyone enjoyed since Stevia is an ingredient. $1.20 a scoop, makes this a deal!

4.Vivo Perform

Vivo Perform is the most superfood-packed protein powder of this bunch. Athletes will appreciate this protein powder made of pea protein, hemp protein, plant-based BCAA (branched-chain amino acids), reishi mushrooms, acai berries, lucuma fruit powder, maca powder, and turmeric extract. Vivo Perform is $59 on Amazon so go straight to their website for a cheaper price at $51 for the pouch pictured below. With 25g of protein and complete amino acid profile helps athletes to build, perform, recover, and absorb. If you want a quick protein drink after a workout, use a shaker bottle when mixing or this powder will stick to the sides of the cup. In the mood for a protein-filled breakfast? Add to your oatmeal or smoothie bowl with this recipe.

5. Elevate Plant-Based Performance Protein

Elevate is a pea and hemp protein-based powder that also is made with sweet potato powder. For anyone looking to convert from whey protein powders, Elevate is the plant-based protein for you. This powder is meant to be used in beverages such as smoothies. The thin consistency doesn’t mix well with water and becomes chalky. If you aren’t in the mood for a protein smoothie, add a scoop to your pancake batter. For a complete recipe check out Elevate’s Chocolate Chip Banana Protein Pancakes. This powder is another affordable choice at $1.60 a scoop.

6. Momentous Absolute Zero

Momentous protein powder is a combination of pea and rice protein concentrate. Testers liked the initial scent of mint and thought it was refreshing. This powder is perfect for anyone who likes sweeter drinks. Momentous powders are NSF International Certified for Sport, which means the product label is 100% accurate and there are no banned substances present in this powder. This is one of the pricier protein powders at $60 a tub but is worth it for athletes looking for a clean and effective post-workout powder. We recommend either mixing with water or adding to a smoothie for a more nutrient-dense drink. The priciest powder of the bunch at $3 per serving.

7. Garden of Life

Garden of Life is made of pea, buckwheat, amaranth sprout, and brown rice. We didn’t love the green color of the powder or the way it smelled but once we mixed it with water, it tasted surprisingly good. Garden of Life is the easiest to mix with water, plan-based milk or in a smoothie. The vanilla flavor isn’t overpowering so you can add this to any combination of smoothies and not be overwhelmed by the taste of vanilla. And it’s only $1.20 per scoop!

8. Tone It Up Plant-Based Protein Vanilla

Tone It Up protein powder is a blend of sunflower seeds and pea protein. The minute we opened the container, everyone loved the smell of this powder. Tone It Up is known to be a great addition to baked goods. The next time you make your protein muffins, add Tone It Up to the mix. We don’t suggest adding this powder with just water but instead a smoothie with fruits and veggies.

9. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein

The name of this powder says it all. Nuzest is the cleanest protein powder since it is made out of only 3 simple ingredients: Pea protein isolate, natural vanilla flavor, and thaumatin (a low-calorie sweetener). For $45, you are supposed to get 20 servings out of one container, but at a glance that didn’t seem accurate. This high protein, low carb powder is perfect to blend with plant-based milk and ice. The consistency is smooth and adds thickness to any protein shake.

For more plant-based recommendations, visit The Beet’s Product Reviews. 

The post The 6 Best Protein-Loaded Dairy-Free Shakes appeared first on The Beet.

Plenty of people have given up dairy in favor of plant-based milks and swear by the swap, and the movement is growing. For inspiration or to join the community, follow the IG called Switch4Good. 

To know which plant-based milk is best, we tasted over 10 different milks. We poured the plain ones over cereal at the office and watched as the crowd gathered. (Everyone wanted in on this taste test!) Some preferred the creaminess of the banana milk and said it would be great in a smoothie, and other testers liked the skim-like consistency of almond milk best.

Here are the best plant-based milks on the market, rated for both taste and health.

For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products. 

365 Unsweetened Almond Milk

“You can taste the almonds!” said a tester. This one is very similar to the Califia Almond Milk, but has a nuttier taste and is not as creamy. We loved this in cereal and would drink it with most anything, especially our iced coffee to add a little extra flavor. If you enjoy a thin milk texture, we would suggest drinking this one over the Califia because it’s more like skim.

The Bottom Line: This milk is so low in carbs, fat, and calories you can enjoy it as often as you like. The sodium is a little high but still in the range with the rest of the crop.

Calories 40

Total Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 1g

Califia Farms Unsweetened Almond Milk

Personally, this is our favorite almond milk brand, since it has the perfect combination of taste and nutrition. All of our taste testers agreed. It’s similar to real milk: creamy and smooth, but it has a refreshing-yet-subtle almond taste. If you’re an almond milk latte fan, we recommend using this brand because your latte foam will have a thicker texture. We tried this milk in comparison to the 365 Unsweetened Almond milk and there wasn’t a huge difference, but we would prefer to eat cereal with Califia Unsweetened Almond Milk because of its milk-like texture with a hint of almond.

Bottom Line: The Califia Almond Milk gets high marks in both the taste and the health categories for being low in calories, carbs, and fat yet high in calcium. If we had to pick an overall winner, this would be it!

Calories 35

Total Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 1g

Elmhurst Unsweetened Almond Milk

Elmhurst is one of the cleanest store-bought milk and it’s only made with two ingredients: Filtered water and almonds. Elmhurst almond milk has a silky, smooth consistency and tastes just as healthy as it is. You can add it to smoothies, protein shakes, waffle or pancake mix — or even drink it by the glass. Elmhurst is a bit pricey, around $7 per 32-ounce container, but if you’re trying to eat cleaner, it’s worth it.

Calories 130

Total Fat 11g, Saturated Fat 1g

Protein 5g

Good Karma Flax Milk + Protein, Unsweetened

Honesty is harsh sometimes, but here’s the truth: This was our least favorite milk because it tastes “too healthy,” like you were drinking your vitamins. This Good Karma product may be full of positive zen vibes, but it’s not big on taste. The thin consistency would make a skim-milk lover happy, but we didn’t enjoy the chalky texture.

Bottom Line: Although we wouldn’t choose this for our morning cereal, it would be great in any smoothie because it delivers 8 grams of plant-based protein and 1,200 milligrams of Omega-3s per serving, which is the winning count for the entire milk category. Another major positive: this milk is made from flaxseed, so if you have a nut allergy or need to increase your fiber for health reasons (and don’t we all want more fiber?), then this milk is a great plant-based choice.

Calories 60

Total Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 8g

Hope & Sesame Sesamemilk

If you have never heard of sesame milk, it’s definitely worth a try because this milk is both delicious and highly sustainable compared to other plant-based milk products. Hope & Sesame outperforms all conventional and plant-based milk brands when it comes to sustainability and requires 95 percent less water per serving to produce than almond milk! Not only is Hope & Sesame perfect for consumers who shop for environmental reasons, aka “climatarians,” but sesame milk is an excellent source of fiber (14 grams), calcium, and Vitamin D. Hope & Sesame adds a creamy richness to your morning coffee and froths up just like traditional creamers.

Calories 120

Total Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 8g

JOI Almond Milk Base

JOI stands for Just One Ingredient, which is a welcome change from other milks that include additives and preservatives on their labels. Keep this small container in the fridge and you will never be out of plant milk for your cereal or coffee. All you need to do is add 1 to 2 tablespoons to a cup of water and blend for 30 seconds to have fresh, un-adulterated almond or cashew milk. One small container of JOI nut base makes 27 servings of milk. You might not drink it but it’s great in everything else.

Calories 94

Total Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 1g

Protein 3g

Almond Malk

The thing about Almond Malk is that it tastes so much like real skim milk you can hardly believe it isn’t. Malk makes its Almond milk with just 3 ingredients: Filtered Water, Organic Almonds, and Himalayan Pink Salt. None of the Malk formulas contain gums, fillers, binders, oils, or carrageenan. This won me over since my previous favorite plant-based milk had all of the above. The other thing about Malk is whether you prefer unsweetened almond (which is more like skim) or the vanilla formula,  it tastes clean. Honestly, now that I’ve tasted Malk, it’s my new favorite non-dairy milk. Go out of your way to find this brand!

Calories 90

Total Fat 1.5g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 0g

Oat Malk

The thing about Oat Malk is that it tastes so much like real cow’s milk you can hardly believe it isn’t. Malk makes its Oat milk with just 3 ingredients: Filtered Water, Organic, Gluten-Free Oats, and Himalayan Pink Salt. None of the Malk formulas contain gums, fillers, binders, oils, or carrageenan. The other thing about Malk is whether you prefer oat (which is more like 2% in thickness and frothiness) or you want a touch of vanilla (made with pure organic vanilla extract) or chocolate (they add organic cocoa), it tastes clean. Honestly, now that I’ve tasted Malk, it’s my new favorite non-dairy milk. Go out of your way to find this brand!

Calories 70

Total Fat 4.5g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 4g

Mooala Banana Milk

It’s time to go bananas. This is the most unique tasting milk we put to the test, by far. Made from bananas and cinnamon, it’s sweet like a dessert and would taste the best with a decadent cereal if you wanted a sweet treat.

Bottom Line: The banana milk also has the thickest texture, thicker than Oatly Oat Milk. I wouldn’t eat this with cereal but instead, I would mix it into a smoothie, or use it for baking. If you’re the kind of coffee-drinker who likes half & half or a creamer substitute, this is the milk for you. One of our testers noted that it was almost like drinking a kids’ “Danimals Kids” yogurt smoothie from his childhood. However, if you do use it in a smoothie, we recommend you leave out the banana since it already has a strong banana taste.

Calories 60

Total Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 1g

Mooala Original Almond Milk

This almond milk is thicker than its counterparts so if you prefer that texture you’ll like this. The Mooala almond is slightly chalkier, though and we would suggest adding it to anything that needs a thicker texture like a smoothie or frozen treat.

Bottom Line: The nutrition facts are impressive with only five ingredients, 6 grams of carbs, 60 calories per serving and 2 grams of protein. One caveat: Anyone who doesn’t eat honey needs to skip this milk because it does contain it as a sweetener.

Calories 60

Total Fat 3.5g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 2g

Oatly Oat Milk

You want to hate the new girl, the one who moves here from Sweden with the perfect skin and silky hair and then she turns out to be funny, self-deprecating and smart and you can’t help but immediately welcome her into your circle and think: Why didn’t she show up earlier? We LOVE her. That’s Oatly. This milk is the newcomer to the shelves, and it turns out to be a game-changer. If you’re moving away from dairy and embracing the non-dairy milk habit, this one might be the closest to what you’re used to drinking. Its texture is creamy and smooth with a hint of natural sweetness, just like regular milk. There is no need to add any sweeteners, and that’s why it works great with coffee or cereal, and it would make even more delicious your oatmeal, giving it a creamier consistency than making it with water.

Bottom Line: All of our taste testers finished this milk with their cereal and wanted another pour to drink by itself. It was a unanimous winner. We voted this milk alternative as the best but keep reading because there are plenty of other great choices, especially if you’re looking for less creamy options. And with 5 grams of fat, it’s got staying power that’ll keep you full for longer, too.

Calories 120

Total Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 0.5g

Protein 3g

Planet Oat Unsweetened Vanilla

Compared to other plant-based milk, Planet Oat is the biggest bang for your buck at under $4 a gallon, making this creamy oat milk one of the most budget-friendly options. Packed with 25 percent and 20 percent of your daily value of vitamin D and 25 percent of your calcium, Planet Oat is a smart choice for your mornings. Whether you use your milk in your cereal or your coffee (or both), Planet Oat is a frothy, thicker milk alternative than most of its competitors. The vanilla flavor adds a little sweet punch that makes it a top contender for the sweet tooths.

Calories 45

Total Fat 0.5g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 1g

Rice Dream (Original)

We loved the light texture and hint of brown rice aftertaste, which kind of reminds us of a bran muffin. It gave our cereal a sweeter and richer taste. One of our testers described the taste as the leftover milk you drink after you finished the cereal in your bowl.

Bottom Line: Overall, we enjoyed the taste and would drink it simply by itself—the added sugar made it slightly sweet and delicious. This milk is low in fat but a bit higher in carbs than some of our other choices.

Calories 130

Total Fat 2.5g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 0g

Ripple Pea Milk

Although Oatly won our hearts, this pea milk deserves a special honorable mention for being a crowd-pleaser and healthful, with a big protein punch and skim-like consistency that those of us who prefer a thinner texture will enjoy. There are two big differences in Ripple Pea Milk compared to Oatly Oat Milk: First, you notice the taste of peas is stronger than the taste of oats in oat milk. Second, the texture is a bit thinner than oat milk. Finally, pea milk packs 8 grams of protein, more than double that of oat milk. So if you need extra protein, pack in the peas.

Bottom Line: Best in cereal, coffee, or smoothies. The pea milk lacks some of the sweetness of the others so if you’re avoiding carbs, this is a good choice. But it has a wallop of sodium, which some people who work out a lot and sweat out their salts may not mind but anyone worried about their sodium intake may consider avoiding.

Calories 100

Total Fat g, Saturated Fat 0.5g

Protein 8g

Silk Coconut Milk

This milk has less of a coconut taste than most other brands using coconut but has a smoother texture. We loved the nutty vanilla flavor (surprising, since this is strictly coconut). Although both the Silk coconut milk and So Delicious coconut milk taste very similar, we liked this one better in cereal than the So Delicious because of its creamier texture.

Bottom Line: Dip a coconut cookie into it for a sweet treat or use it as a coffee creamer.

Calories 40

Total Fat 4g, Saturated Fat 4g

Protein 0g

Silk Original Oat MIlk

Silk’s Original Oat Milk is rich, smooth, and perfectly creamy, exceeding our (including chef Gordon Ramsay’s) expectations for plant-based milk. Packed with 50 percent more calcium than dairy milk (35 percent of your daily value), this bone health-conscious beverage will quiet any concerns about oat milk not providing the same nutrients as cow’s milk. This oat milk is also free of cholesterol, carrageenan, and gluten, delivering a clean milk substitute that everyone can enjoy.

Calories 45

Total Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 1g

So Delicious Coconut Milk

With a hint of vanilla and coconut, this is a delicious milk alternative. It has a light texture, sweet taste, and is flavorful without being overly powerful. It tastes very natural and not artificial—which is hard to find in coconut products. Use this milk when baking desserts or as a coffee creamer.

Bottom Line: It tastes delicious in cereal but for anyone who would prefer something thicker, this milk is a skim-like consistency. So if you love skim, choose this one.

Calories 45

Total Fat 4.5g, Saturated Fat 4g

Protein 0g

Tache Original Blend Pistachio Milk

If you are looking for a heart-healthy non-dairy creamer, then pistachio milk is a great choice. Tache’s Pistachio Milk is high in Omega-3 heart-healthy fats, like pistachios themselves, which studies show help to lower cholesterol. Pistachio milk contains more potassium than other non-dairy milks. The taste has a hint of pistachio but if you like that nut you won’t mind. This plant-based milk might be pricey (nearly $8 per carton), but it is one of the creamiest, most luxurious vegan milks that froths up like the real thing.

Calories 80

Total Fat 3.5g , Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 2g

The 12 Best Non-Dairy Coffee Creamers For That Real Cream Taste

1. Califia Unsweetened Almond Milk Creamer

Califia Farms Almond Creamer is made with real almonds and coconut cream to give a rich, full-flavored texture and has 2 grams of added sugar. The consistency is so thick it’s more like a heavy cream rather than a creamer substitute. Regardless, it froths up well and is very creamy. The almond taste is noticeable but the creamer isn’t bitter or grainy. You don’t need to use a lot of it; a little goes a long way!

2. Silk Dairy-Free Original Soy Creamer

Silk Original Dairy-Free Original Soy Creamer has only 1 gram of added sugar, but sadly it does not froth up well when I heated it due to a thinner, more watery consistency. It didn’t combine well with coffee, no matter how much was added. Because of the underwhelming flavor, this was my least favorite.

3. Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss® Unsweetened Plant-Based Half-and-Half

This Natural Bliss Coconut Milk Creamer/Sweet Cream is the best one I’ve found for both frothing and taste, especially if you miss the consistency and flavor of half-and-half. It’s creamy and has a hint of coconut, but no overwhelming coconut flavor. Note: it is made with pea protein, unlike the other ones, which is probably why it’s thicker. Always check ingredients if you have food allergies because unexpected ingredients such as peas can be hiding in the product, and you would never know by the taste.

4. So Delicious Organic Coconut Milk Creamer

So Delicious has been marketing dairy-free frozen desserts, yogurt alternatives, and smooth plant-based beverages for over 30 years. Besides the coconut milk, they also have “Original,” “Snickerdoodle.” “Caramel” and “Creamy Vanilla” flavors. I only sampled the coconut milk flavor. This is the only one in this taste test with 0 grams of added sugar. It has a very rich coconut taste and froths up nicely in coffee like milk. It’s not as thick as some of the others but is a good alternative to ultra-sweet creamers if you want to be careful about your sugar intake. The coconut flavor is powerful but not overwhelming.

5. CoffeeMate Natural Bliss Vanilla Oat Milk Creamer

Natural Bliss Oat Milk Creamer, Vanilla Natural Flavor, with 4 grams added sugar is similar to Coffee Mate’s Coconut creamer but without the coconut flavor. It’s super-rich and creamy with a hint of oat flavor but not bitter at all. My new favorite! This is the best one I’ve found for frothing and taste especially if you miss the consistency and flavor of half and half. It’s like the real thing as it’s creamy, fluffy and not grainy. Remember to shake it up before putting in your frother. Use a little and be happy with your non-dairy latte!

6. Original Oat-Ly Oat Milk Barista Edition

The Original Oat-Ly Oat Milk Barista Edition contains 4 grams of sugar but its full-flavored taste makes it a rich choice. It doesn’t market itself as a creamer but it does advertise as the choice for the barista community. It’s slightly less frothy than real milk when mixed but the flavor is pleasant, not bitter, and I would choose it again.

7. Silk Oat Yeah Oat Milk Creamer

Silk Oat Yeah Oat Milk Creamer, the Vanilla One has 4 grams of added sugar and is also at the top of my list. While it’s sweet, it’s also incredibly rich which means you can use less of it in your coffee. It was thick and creamy when frothed and it adds a fluffy cap to your coffee as lattes make with real cream. Note that pea protein is an added ingredient in this creamer as well. This can rival the real thing but choose this one only if you like a strong vanilla aftertaste!

8. Silk Vanilla Almond Creamer

The Silk Almond Creamer Vanilla boasts that it’s “America’s #1 Almond Creamer. But with 4 grams added sugar you may want to use it sparingly. It did taste sweet and was nice and thick, so someone who likes rich creamers will love it. The vanilla aftertaste was pretty strong. And it’s a little too syrupy sweet for my taste.

9. Nut Pod Creamer Unsweetened Original

Nutpods is the closest you’ll get to the real thing! Tasters immediately gave this dairy-free creamer a 5 out 5. The texture is smooth and mixes with coffee instantly. Unlike soy creamers, this almond and coconut-based creamer doesn’t separate once your done stirring. Nut Pods is the most comparable to half and half in the whole list of creamers!

10. Forager Organic Dairy-Free Half & Half

Forager is cashew milk and coconut cream based that mixes for a unique and flavorful taste. The consistency was on the thinner side, and if you’re a heavy cream or half-and-half devotee this is probably not the creamer for you, although those who like a lighter flavor will enjoy it.

11. Trader Joe’s Coconut Creamer

This creamer is rich, round and doesn’t taste too overtly of coconut. You only need a splash to achieve a nice, creamy effect in your coffee, and there’s no watered-down consistency, so if you swear by heavy cream or half & half, give this Trader Joe’s option a try! At only $1.69 per carton, this product is a steal.

12. Malk Organics Unsweetened Almond Malk

The thickest consistency of the bunch, resembling a heavy cream rather than half and half. Malk has only 5 ingredients, making it super clean and healthy! The almond flavor might be overpowering to those who like less flavor in their creamer. Add the Maple Pecan flavor to your coffee for an even sweeter taste.

The post Non-Dairy Milk Taste Test: The Best Plant-Based and Vegan Milks appeared first on The Beet.

Whether your family is vegan or just one person is lactose intolerant, these dairy-free pizzas will be a crowd favorite. Still, some of these are so high in calories, salt, and sat-fat that they can hardly be considered a healthy option. That’s why here at The Beet, we decided to rate vegan pizzas for both taste and health, and let you know which ones are not only good but good for you. Keep in mind that some of the serving sizes are small, and eating a whole pie could set you back nearly half the calories of the entire day.

Why You Should Stop Eating Cheese

Cheese is among the hardest foods to give up when going plant-based. But now, you do not need to stop eating pizza to give up cheese. Eating dairy presents serious health risks that even make your day-to-day life more difficult. Dairy is highly inflammatory, causing unnecessary joint and muscle pains.

Dairy consumption increases the risk of several cancers even when consumed in moderation. One study found that one serving a day was associated with a 30 percent elevated risk of developing breast cancer. Loma Linda researchers found that drinking milk increases the risk of prostate cancer by 60 percent. 

Is Pizza Vegan?

Americans eat 3 billion pizzas every year, according to the National Association of Pizza Operators. While the vast majority of those consumers are eating dairy cheese, new brands have developed plant-based cheeses that both vegans and non-vegans will love. But how? Vegan cheeses are made from a variety of ingredients including plant-based milk from cashews or other nuts or proprietary protein blends.

Check out our comprehensive list to see what vegan frozen pizza sounds best for your tastes!
For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products. 

Alpha Foods Plant-Based Mozzarella Pizza

Anyone looking for an easy, cheap, and delicious plant-based pizza should shop for Alpha Foods. The cheese itself ranks better than most others we tasted. Overall, this pizza is a winner because it has 9 grams of protein while not being too high in calories. Keep these stocked in your freezer.

Calories 390

Total Fat 15g, Saturated Fat 10g

Protein 8g

Alpha Foods Plant-Based Buffalo Chicken Pizza

This buffalo-sauce pizza has a tangy flavor that you’ll love if chick’n wings are your jam. Topped with vegan chicken, the pizza offers 15 grams of protein per serving. We love the fact that the dairy-free mozzarella isn’t too heavy or overwhelming. The thin-crust pie provides one of the most delicious plant-based pizzas on the market.

Calories 470

Total Fat 24g, Saturated Fat 8g

Protein 12g

American Flatbread Vegan Harvest

Vegan flatbreads can be hard to come by but luckily, American Flatbread has us covered. The Vegan Harvest flatbread tastes fresh and is restaurant-quality pizza. The cheese alternative was perfectly melty and creamy. We especially loved the garlic and fresh herbs that were all over the flatbread.

Calories 520

Total Fat 18g, Saturated Fat 8g

Protein 12g

Amy’s Gluten-Free Roasted Vegetable Pizza

Amy’s has never failed to make a delicious and filling pizza, especially for the gluten-free crowd. The crust has the most similar texture to actual pizza. We love this one the most, for the taste and the fact that it has an artisanal look to it as if you might have actually made it yourself. After eating the whole thing, you feel like you got your veggie intake for the day.

Calories 430

Total Fat 20g, Saturated Fat 2.5g

Protein 7g

Amy’s Roasted Vegetable Pizza

Wait we said we’d stop recommending Amy’s but we wanted to make sure you knew that the veggie one has a regular crust option — so if you have no problem with gluten and you want the closest thing to a thin-crust California-style pizza, dig in, my friends. We plan to keep this on permanent order from our favorite Insta-Cart source.

Calories 290

Total Fat 10g, Saturated Fat 1.5g

Protein 7g

Amy’s Vegan Margherita Pizza

Okay, we promise we’ll stop after this one, but if you love a plain cheesy pizza without a lot of whistles and bells, this one hits the spot and you could fool the most discerning cheese lover by not even telling them it’s made of non-dairy cheese. Keep it on hand for any future snack or meal that requires no more prep than removing the plastic wrapper and popping it into the microwave. If Daiya is your favorite dairy-free cheese, this Amy’s pizza will bring a smile to your face. The basil sprinkled on top adds a fresh component to the dish.

Calories 300

Total Fat 15g, Saturated Fat 4.5g

Protein 6g

Amy’s Vegan Supreme Pizza

Another winner from our favorite. If you were the type of person who loved meat on your pizza, this is a must-grab at the grocery store. The plant-based sausage and veggies on top of this pie are the perfect duo.

Calories 290

Total Fat 12g, Saturated Fat 3.5g

Protein 8g

Banza Plant-Based Cheese Pizza

Banza’s Plant-Based Pizza is made with chickpea-based crust and Follow Your Heart cheese that melts like the real thing. Banza pizza contains 10 grams of protein and 56 grams of carbs. Banza’s plant-based pizza makes a great meal that exceeds expectations.

Calories 410

Total Fat 19g, Saturated Fat 9g

Protein 10g

Daiya Cheeze Lover’s Pizza

Daiya’s crust is the crunchiest crust of them all. If you like your pizza well-done, grab this from the frozen aisle section. The cheese didn’t melt the way that we wanted but we loved all the combos of mozzarella and cheddar. If you have any sort of allergy, this choice of pizza is a great brand since it is free of dairy, soy, gluten, fish, eggs, and nuts.

Calories 400

Total Fat 15g, Saturated Fat 6g

Protein 5g

Sweet Earth’s Veggie Lover’s Frozen Pizza

If you like to load the veggies on your pizza, this one is for you. This pizza has the cleanest ingredients and has broccoli, corn, brussels sprouts, and mushrooms on top. The cheese doesn’t melt well but the veggie overload makes up for it. Keep this pizza in the oven a few minutes longer to make the crust crispier.

Calories 210

Total Fat 6g, Saturated Fat 2.5g

Protein 6g

Tattooed Chef Cauliflower White Pizza

The Tattooed Chef Cauliflower Crusted White Pizza boats an excess of plant-based cheese that takes away from any goodness the cauliflower crust may deliver. The crust itself is very delicious and cooks to crispy perfection. The biggest benefit of this plant-based pizza is the protein content, 16g of protein. It is low in carbs and makes a good snack but you may want to scrape off some of the gooey cheese.

Calories 290

Total Fat 14g,  Saturated Fat 9g

Protein 16g

Trader Joe’s Meatless Meat Lovers Pizza

With a nice, thick sourdough crust, the vegan cheese didn’t melt well but was still creamy to taste. The sausage crumbles were very realistic and gave a nice kick of heat, but the pepperoni slices were too greasy and plastic-like. The pie had very light tomato sauce but was well-seasoned. For just $5.99, it’s worth it to pick up this pie during your weekly Trader Joe’s shop.

Calories 290

Total Fat 22g, Saturated Fat 3g

Protein 7g

Wholly Veggie! Vegan Margherita Pizza

This is a cool company out of Toronto that was founded by two friends in 2017, David and John, who wanted to create a sustainable food company. We love the fact that this pizza uses cauliflower crust, so if you’re gluten intolerant or just avoiding carbs, this is the choice for you. It’s also delicious, and we only microwaved it. Use the real oven for the best results, and bake it instead.

Calories 730

Total Fat 30g, Saturated Fat 9g

Protein 7g

Wicked Kitchen The Wicked Meaty Pizza

When Wicked Kitchen sets out to make a spicy plant-based pizza using their grandmother’s secret tomato sauce, they deliver. The spicy peppers certainly have a kick what truly delights the tastebuds is the combination of crispy thin crust and somewhat gooey toppings that make this pizza one of a kind. They top it with vegan ground sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, and jalapeño on a wood-fired sourdough crust with Nana’s classic red sauce and their own Wicked vegan Motz!Meat one. At just 300 calories and 2 grams of sat fat per serving this is about as clean as a pizza gets! But truth: 1 quarter of this pie is not a serving, half is. So double the Nutritionals for a fair shake.

Calories 300

Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 2g

Protein 9g

The post The Best Dairy-Free and Vegan Frozen Pizzas To Try Today appeared first on The Beet.

“For those who can’t handle regular cow’s milk or are choosing non-dairy alternatives, they will be better for gut health [as your body is] better able to absorb nutrients from milk alternatives,” says Yasi Ansari, RD a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a Los Angeles-based registered dietitian.

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But some types of plant-based yogurts don;t provide much protein, or are filled with sugar, thickeners, or additives, so it’s important to read labels, and have realistic expectations when switching it up. That plant-based yogurt with fruit syrup in the bottom? Definitely not the best bet if you’re avoiding carbs. “[Plant-based yogurts] can be healthy alternatives, but I’d recommend looking for unsweetened or low-sugar versions,” Ansari says, “so look for labels with shorter lists of ingredients.”

The good news is that plant-based yogurts can offer nutrients that dairy yogurts don’t typically have. Some varieties such as flax milk yogurt and hemp yogurt naturally contain omega-3 fatty acids as well as fiber. Others are fortified with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D and calcium, commonly found in conventional yogurt, to make them even healthier.

To find out which plant-based yogurts are the best (and which ones you might want to skip), we went on a taste-testing mission and uploaded the health and taste ratings of a mix of products to the Beet Meter. What are your favorites? Feel free to add your rating and share your comments below.

For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products. 

AlmondBreeze AlmondMilk Yogurt Vanilla

Based on Blue Diamond Almond milk, this yogurt is both tasty and natural, while satisfying your need for a rich yogurt experience. It’s sweet and the vanilla flavor has a real hint of vanilla bean aftertaste, so it makes a great treat. Keyword treat. Because with 11 grams of added sugar, accounting for 22 percent of your daily value of sugar, it seems like a treat more than a healthy snack. The texture is both a little light and airy and also has some lumps in it (possibly from the tapioca starch added to it to thicken it). But overall this is a satisfying yogurt experience.

Calories 130

Total Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 2g

 Anita’s Plain Coconut Yogurt

If you’re looking for a legit greek-style yogurt with that creamy, thick consistency and authentic sour taste Anita’s coconut yogurt is the best choice.  Despite the coconut base, the taste is very neutral and great served with granola or fruit.  Overall, Anita’s is quite healthy with no added sugar or preservatives and chalked full of 300 billion live cultures per serving.   The only negative mark we gave this yogurt was for the very high-fat content which brought the health rating down to 3. That said, this is hands-down one of the best overall plant-based yogurts on the market and highly recommended as a dairy yogurt alternative.

Calories 395

Total Fat 33g, Saturated 30g

Protein 4g

Chobani Oat Vanilla Yogurt

In a category dominated by coconut and soy products, Chobani’s dairy-free yogurt offers customers an oat-based option that’s protein-filled and excellently creamy. This sweet, vanilla yogurt blend contains 7 grams of protein per 150 calories, striking quite the deal with your diet. For those looking for a health boost in the morning. this vegan yogurt contains more probiotics than the other leading brands. Overall, the taste is good, however, there is a sour aftertaste that some people will not enjoy.

Calories 150

Total Fat 3 g, Saturated 1.5g

Protein 7g

Cocojune Organic Cultured Coconut Yogurt

You can taste the difference between this dairy-free yogurt and others since it’s the cleanest vegan yogurt we tried. It’s made with simple ingredients such as coconut, cassava root, and probiotics. It doesn’t taste artificial, and the texture is smooth, creamy and silky.

Calories 190

Total Fat 16g, Saturated 15g

Protein 1g

The Coconut Cult Original Yogurt

Coconut Cult immediately will grab your attention, with its glass jar and bright colored packaging. (We love the fact that the resealable glass jar is eco-friendly.) After you’re done admiring the jar, your eyes will drift to the price tag and notice that a single eight-ounce jar is 10 dollars. This Coconut base has a bitter taste and some graininess to the texture, so if that isn’t your thing add it to a smoothie.

Calories 70

Total Fat 6g, Saturated 6g

Protein 1g

CocoYo Pure Living Coconut Yogurt

Made from raw young coconut and raw young coconut water, CocoYo doesn’t try to mimic the taste of conventional yogurt, instead, it has a much tangier taste. Available in five flavors including cacao and ginger turmeric, each with 8 or fewer grams of carbs and 25 billion colony forming units per serving (commonly referred to as CFUs, the number of viable bacteria) per serving. It’s a little lower in protein than other yogurts, so mix yours with an ounce of nuts to get more oomph in your cup.

Calories 110

Total Fat 8g, Saturated 8g

Protein 1g

CoYo Natural Coconut Yogurt

If you love coconut, you’ll love Coyo Natural. With a tangy, rich texture that closely resembles Greek yogurt, Coyo would be a great addition to your morning smoothie. Grab the natural (aka plain) flavor to mix with any other ingredients you’re in the mood for. You can also throw it in the freezer for a delicious frozen treat. With 390 calories, 38 grams of fat, and only 10 grams of carbs, it can be a luxurious, keto-friendly dessert.

Calories 390

Total Fat 38g, Saturated 36g

Protein 3g

Forager Unsweetened Plain Cashewgurt

Forager was the only yogurt that wasn’t either overly sweet or too bitter. The consistency looked more like pudding than yogurt when we first opened it. When you stir properly,  the texture becomes smoother. This yogurt would be great to thicken a smoothie.

Calories 110

Total Fat 7g, Saturated 1.5g

Protein 3g

Kite Hill Plain Yogurt

Kite Hill might be the most nutritious dairy-free yogurt of the bunch. With 4 grams of fiber and 11 grams of protein, it makes a great choice for breakfast. Make sure to stir this yogurt well to smooth out the texture. The only criticism of this yogurt was a chalky aftertaste, but add granola and berries on top to make a delicious parfait. 

Calories 140

Total Fat 11g, Saturated 1g

Protein 4g

Lavva Original Plant-Based Yogurt

A mix of coconut, pili nuts, and plantains, Lavva is more like a cold fruit dip than a substitute for conventional yogurt. With both prebiotics and probiotics, and no added sugar (it naturally contains 7 grams of carbs per serving), this is a great choice for any time of day—and if you’re a piña colada kind of person, might we recommend the pineapple flavor?

Calories 170

Total Fat 13g, Saturated 10g

Protein 2g

Nancy’s Oatmilk Non-Dairy Yogurt

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the bunch, this gluten-free oat milk-based yogurt scores big on fluffiness, creaminess, and flavor. While it’s a little steeper than other varieties when it comes to carbs (the plain style has 9 grams per serving), with 6 grams of protein to balance it out, it’s more likely to keep you full. It’s available in four flavors: plain, vanilla, blueberry, and strawberry-hibiscus, so take your pick or bring them all home.

Calories 70

Total Fat 1.5g, Saturated 0.5g

Protein 6g

Siggi’s Plant-Based Coconut Blend Vanilla & Cinnamon

As with all foods, you choose your priorities. Siggi’s makes a delicious plant-based coconut blend of non-dairy yogurt with about half the added sugar of most of the leading competitors. It also delivers more protein per container, with 9 grams in just 190 calories. As for sugar, you’re only eating 9 grams of sugar and about 12 grams of carbs with each container. However the coconut carries more fat, with 11 grams of total fat and 7 grams of saturated fat, so if you are trying to avoid saturated fat for the sake of your future heart health, this may not be the choice for you. Still, it’s the best tasting of the crop, and you will want to have it as the occasional treat that yogurt should be.

Calories 150

Total Fat 11g, Saturated 7g

Protein 10g

Silk Vanilla Dairy-Free Yogurt

Made from soymilk, Silk’s dairy-free yogurt alternative has 6 grams of protein and four different kinds of live cultures. That’s the good news. It’s also sweet tasting and has a respectable amount of calcium (15 percent of your daily value ) vitamin D (10 percent of your DV). However, the second ingredient on the label after soybeans and filtered water is cane sugar. Ouch. there are 16 grams of added sugar which amounts to 32 percent of your daily value for total added sugar. That’s a treat, not a snack. Enjoy wisely.

Calories 140

Total Fat 3.5g, Saturated 0g

Protein 6g

So Delicious Plain Coconutmilk Yogurt Alternative

So Delicious is as close to the real deal as it gets. As you unwrap the yogurt, you might be fooled by how well the texture mimics real, dairy-based yogurt. The sweetness of the coconut took over our tastebuds and made us feel like we were eating a treat. After looking at the nutrition label, we realized it has 6 grams of saturated fat and 25 grams of carbs and less than 1 gram of protein. But this one was by far our favorite by far!

Calories 170

Total Fat 7g, Saturated 6g

Protein <1g

Bottom Line: At first glance, you might be overwhelmed by all the brands and flavors to choose from (we know we were) but don’t worry, you don’t have to give up your favorite breakfast yet. Just because yogurt is dairy-free, doesn’t mean it’s automatically healthy, so make sure to check the labels.

The 12 Best Non-Dairy Coffee Creamers For That Real Cream Taste

1. Califia Unsweetened Almond Milk Creamer

Califia Farms Almond Creamer is made with real almonds and coconut cream to give a rich, full-flavored texture and has 2 grams of added sugar. The consistency is so thick it’s more like a heavy cream rather than a creamer substitute. Regardless, it froths up well and is very creamy. The almond taste is noticeable but the creamer isn’t bitter or grainy. You don’t need to use a lot of it; a little goes a long way!

2. Silk Dairy-Free Original Soy Creamer

Silk Original Dairy-Free Original Soy Creamer has only 1 gram of added sugar, but sadly it does not froth up well when I heated it due to a thinner, more watery consistency. It didn’t combine well with coffee, no matter how much was added. Because of the underwhelming flavor, this was my least favorite.

3. Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss® Unsweetened Plant-Based Half-and-Half

This Natural Bliss Coconut Milk Creamer/Sweet Cream is the best one I’ve found for both frothing and taste, especially if you miss the consistency and flavor of half-and-half. It’s creamy and has a hint of coconut, but no overwhelming coconut flavor. Note: it is made with pea protein, unlike the other ones, which is probably why it’s thicker. Always check ingredients if you have food allergies because unexpected ingredients such as peas can be hiding in the product, and you would never know by the taste.

4. So Delicious Organic Coconut Milk Creamer

So Delicious has been marketing dairy-free frozen desserts, yogurt alternatives, and smooth plant-based beverages for over 30 years. Besides the coconut milk, they also have “Original,” “Snickerdoodle.” “Caramel” and “Creamy Vanilla” flavors. I only sampled the coconut milk flavor. This is the only one in this taste test with 0 grams of added sugar. It has a very rich coconut taste and froths up nicely in coffee like milk. It’s not as thick as some of the others but is a good alternative to ultra-sweet creamers if you want to be careful about your sugar intake. The coconut flavor is powerful but not overwhelming.

5. CoffeeMate Natural Bliss Vanilla Oat Milk Creamer

Natural Bliss Oat Milk Creamer, Vanilla Natural Flavor, with 4 grams added sugar is similar to Coffee Mate’s Coconut creamer but without the coconut flavor. It’s super-rich and creamy with a hint of oat flavor but not bitter at all. My new favorite! This is the best one I’ve found for frothing and taste especially if you miss the consistency and flavor of half and half. It’s like the real thing as it’s creamy, fluffy and not grainy. Remember to shake it up before putting in your frother. Use a little and be happy with your non-dairy latte!

6. Original Oat-Ly Oat Milk Barista Edition

The Original Oat-Ly Oat Milk Barista Edition contains 4 grams of sugar but its full-flavored taste makes it a rich choice. It doesn’t market itself as a creamer but it does advertise as the choice for the barista community. It’s slightly less frothy than real milk when mixed but the flavor is pleasant, not bitter, and I would choose it again.

7. Silk Oat Yeah Oat Milk Creamer

Silk Oat Yeah Oat Milk Creamer, the Vanilla One has 4 grams of added sugar and is also at the top of my list. While it’s sweet, it’s also incredibly rich which means you can use less of it in your coffee. It was thick and creamy when frothed and it adds a fluffy cap to your coffee as lattes make with real cream. Note that pea protein is an added ingredient in this creamer as well. This can rival the real thing but choose this one only if you like a strong vanilla aftertaste!

8. Silk Vanilla Almond Creamer

The Silk Almond Creamer Vanilla boasts that it’s “America’s #1 Almond Creamer. But with 4 grams added sugar you may want to use it sparingly. It did taste sweet and was nice and thick, so someone who likes rich creamers will love it. The vanilla aftertaste was pretty strong. And it’s a little too syrupy sweet for my taste.

9. Nut Pod Creamer Unsweetened Original

Nutpods is the closest you’ll get to the real thing! Tasters immediately gave this dairy-free creamer a 5 out 5. The texture is smooth and mixes with coffee instantly. Unlike soy creamers, this almond and coconut-based creamer doesn’t separate once your done stirring. Nut Pods is the most comparable to half and half in the whole list of creamers!

10. Forager Organic Dairy-Free Half & Half

Forager is cashew milk and coconut cream based that mixes for a unique and flavorful taste. The consistency was on the thinner side, and if you’re a heavy cream or half-and-half devotee this is probably not the creamer for you, although those who like a lighter flavor will enjoy it.

11. Trader Joe’s Coconut Creamer

This creamer is rich, round and doesn’t taste too overtly of coconut. You only need a splash to achieve a nice, creamy effect in your coffee, and there’s no watered-down consistency, so if you swear by heavy cream or half & half, give this Trader Joe’s option a try! At only $1.69 per carton, this product is a steal.

12. Malk Organics Unsweetened Almond Malk

The thickest consistency of the bunch, resembling a heavy cream rather than half and half. Malk has only 5 ingredients, making it super clean and healthy! The almond flavor might be overpowering to those who like less flavor in their creamer. Add the Maple Pecan flavor to your coffee for an even sweeter taste.

The post We Taste Tested 14 Dairy-Free Yogurts to Find Out Which Ones to Try or Skip appeared first on The Beet.

Enter vegan cookie dough, which gives us guilt-free permission to taste the dough without any fears or ramifications. The Beet and the sake of eating plant-based or vegan, these doughs add the benefit of enjoying a favorite treat without animal or dairy products in the mix.

Essentially, there is no such thing as a bad cookie dough. Here are our favorites, in no particular order, reviewed and rated for taste and health. For how we rate each product check out our 10 health attributes and taste requirements here.

For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products. 

There is no such thing as bad cookie dough, but in our super un-scientific taste test, Eat Pastry won by a mile. The comments were along the lines of “this is so real I wouldn’t know the difference!” and “I think I need to try it just one more time.”

1. Deux Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Deux’s vegan cookie dough is the full package. This cookie dough is designed to scoop right out of the container or bake into delectable cookies. While Deux’s texture is noticeably different than its traditional counterpart, this cookie dough alternative packs in an addictive flavor. If the taste wasn’t enough, this cookie dough contains zinc and elderberry for immune support and 2 g of protein per serving!

2. Doughp Avocadough Brownie

Doughp’s vegan cookie dough features a surprising ingredient: avocado! The avocado-based cookie dough is perfect to eat directly from the pint or bake into perfect, soft cookies. The Avocadough Brownie flavor is reminiscent of a rich brownie batter without any dairy or eggs (making it extra safe to eat). The plant-based cookie dough only uses 8 ingredients, containing low calories and low carbs perfect for a guilt-free cookie.

3. Eat Pastry

“This cookie dough tastes so real I wouldn’t know the difference, “said one tester, and added:  “I think I need to try it just one more time.” The EatPastry was a clear winner but the only critique was it was slightly too smooth and not stiff enough. With 4 grams of Sat Fat and 1 gram of protein per cookie, and 60 calories each, have two.

4. Sweet Loren’s

The best gluten-free and vegan edible cookie dough we found. The ingredients in this cookie dough are clean, simple and sustainably sourced. Sweet Loren’s can be found in two flavors: chocolate chunk and birthday cake. The Chocolate Chunk will make your gluten-free cookie lovers happy but others may think it doesn’t resemble real cookie dough. However, the dough does taste healthier than the real thing.

5. Cappello’s

We gave the Cappello’s a 2.5 out of 5 beets because the lingering aftertaste of coconut felt a little too strong after a third nibble. But no one complained too much about having to do this taste test and in either case, any cookie monsters in your life will love it.

Want to make your own vegan cookie dough? Check out this easy vegan cooking dough recipe and get baking!

The post The Best Cookie Dough to Eat Raw, and Which One Won Our Taste Test appeared first on The Beet.

We Conducted This Taste Test Back When Social Gathering Was Okay

What happens when you bring 32 pints of non-dairy ice cream to a pool party for a bunch of 7- to 12-year-olds on a blazing hot day in the summer? First, as the kids gingerly dip their plastic spoons into small bowls and give feedback upon request, there is polite decorum. Then, as the sugar takes hold, the experiment turns into an enthusiastic declaration of personal favorites: Strawberry! Mint Chip! Cookie Dough! They shout when asked which is the winner. Then the wheels start to come off: The kids begin to climb on the table and the boy with the highest sugar rush (who happened to be my son, a vivacious 7-year-old with a love of strawberry ice cream) wins with the loudest endorsement.

Okay, so this wasn’t exactly a scientific test, but we started with one-on-one duels: Basically, 16 taste-offs between two equal pints of similar flavors. These “food duels” whittled the field down from the round of 32 to a final eight, and finally, five crowd-pleasing winners.

Plant-Based Ice Creams Are Made With Almond Milks, Oat Milks and Coconut Cream

As the number of consumers committed to eating a plant-based diet continues to grow, it’s no surprise that the non-dairy ice cream market is booming. Today there are hundreds of dairy-free flavors lining the shelves. With artisan creameries such as Van Leeuwen’s and Nadamoo! leading the way, even big brands like Häagen Dazs, Ben & Jerry’s and Breyer’s have begun introducing dairy-free flavors that taste just as good as the real thing.

Finding your new favorite flavor is up to you, but know this: When you head to the freezer at your local grocer and see dozens of dairy-free varieties, be wary that these are not necessarily healthy choices, just dairy-free ones. Depending on what they’re made of, you could end up with the same amount of calories and sugar than if you’d chosen milk-based ice cream. But these new options are so good, we’d definitely put these treats into our regular rotation.

You don’t have to take our scoop for it. Here’s what the experts — kids! — had to say.

For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products. 

Overall Winner:

1. Oatly Strawberry Ice Cream

Why it was a hit: 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!

Quick health facts: With 218 calories, 23 carbs and 13 grams of fat per serving, this choice has fewer calories than most.

Where to find it: You can find Oatly at Walmart, Target, Stop and Shop and Whole Foods.

Runners Up:

2. Van Leeuwen Vegan Mint Chip

Why it was a hit: Van Leeuwen is one of the best brands of ice cream 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. Made from cashew milk, coconut cream, and cocoa butter, this vegan treat tasted the most like classic ice cream out of all the brands we tested. If the packaging didn’t say vegan, you might think it was actually made from cow’s milk.

Quick health facts: At 22 grams of fat per serving and 310 calories, it’s definitely an indulgence.

Where to find it: At Whole Foods Market (or in Van Leeuwen’s ice cream shops in NYC). And be prepared to pay for the pleasure of eating such a delicious dairy-free dessert—at $11 a pint, it’s almost double the price of its competitors.

3. SO Delicious Oatmeal Cookie Oat Milk

Why it was a hit: Oatmilk is having a moment right now, and this concoction— featuring bits of oatmeal cookie dough and brown sugar and cinnamon—lived up to the hype.  The ice cream tasted like the real thing and the cookies were legit homemade quality. How they do this we don’t know, but if you love oatmeal cookies, you will love this flavor.

Quick health facts: At 12 grams of fat and 250 calories per serving, it’s right in line with its non-dairy counterparts.

Where to find it: At supermarkets across the country, as well as Walmart and Target. It usually retails for around $5 per pint.

4. 365 Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Swirl Frozen Non-Dairy Almond Milk Dessert

Why it was a hit: Whole Foods’ 365 brand of ice cream is across the board one of the winning plant-based ice-creams we tested. This flavor tastes just like Moose Tracks, with chunks of chocolate chips and peanut butter. That’s the good news.

Quick health facts: We love that it boasts 5 grams of protein, but it also has 20 grams of sugar and 28 grams of carbs.

Where to find it: You can find this ice cream at your local Whole Foods.

5. SO Delicious OH-SO Strawberry Coconutmilk

Why it was a hit: Despite numerous spoonfuls of rich, chocolatey flavors, our taste testers appreciated the clean simplicity of strawberry. “It tastes like fruit,” said one. The coconut milk gives it the creamy smoothness of traditional ice cream with just enough sweetness to make it feel like a dessert.

Quick health facts: A 2/3 cup serving clocks in at 200 calories and 11 grams of fat, which is on the lower end of the flavors we tested.

Where to find it: So Delicious can be found in most grocery stores across the United States and normally retails for $6 a pint.

6. Häagen Dazs Non-Dairy Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge

Why it was a hit: Despite the fact that there aren’t any milk substitutes in Häagen Dazs’ version of vegan ice cream, it tastes as rich and creamy as the original. The peanut butter is smooth and the chocolate fudge isn’t cloyingly sweet. This overall winner (for its flavor category) was the most like the real thing, and everyone went crazy for it.

Quick health facts: While a serving does have 14 grams of fat and 290 calories, it also has 4 grams of protein, which is higher than some of the other flavors we tested.

Where to find it: Any grocery store. And at around $4 a pint, it’s slightly cheaper than its competitors.

7. Sunscoop Moringa Mint Chip Ice Cream

Why it was a hit: We loved the mint taste and if you like a thinner texture this is the choice for you. It’s like frozen yogurt and on a hot day that can be a refreshing option.

Quick health facts: This has half the fat of the creamier varieties so if you’re watching your fat intake, choose the Sunscoop.

Where to find it: To find Sunscoop near you, click here.

8. Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Why it was a hit: 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 the real thing, but so does the cookie dough. How do they do it? We don’t care, we just want more.

Quick health facts: One pint has 1050 calories, and a serving according to them is 1/3 of a pint. With 49 grams of carbs per serving, we say, proceed with caution.

Where to find it: Wherever there’s a freezer case. Ben & Jerry’s is a ubiquitous brand in the ice cream aisle and retails for around $5 a pint.

9. NadaMoo! No-Sugar-Added Mint Chip

Why it was a hit: We love NadaMoo for keeping it healthy with their newest batch of ice creams that are made with no added sugars and relatively low carbs.

Quick health facts: With 130 calories in a 2/3 cup and 6 grams of fiber per serving, this is definitely among the healthiest of the treats. Enjoy!

Where to find it: You can find NadaMoo! at major retailers such as Target, Walmart and Whole Foods priced at $5.99 a pint.

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

Why it was a hit: 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 Reeces coated in ice cream — all our favorite tastes rolled together.

Quick health facts: The pint has 990 calories and each serving has 43 grams of carbs or 27 added grams of sugar. That’s 9 teaspoons. But then again… YOLO!

Where to find it: Wherever there’s a freezer case. Ben & Jerry’s is a ubiquitous brand in the ice cream aisle and retails for around $5 a pint.

11. Sunscoop Dark Cacao With Reishi Ice Cream

Why it was a hit: 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.

Quick health facts; 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.

Where to find it: To find Sunscoop near you, click here or order here.

12. NadaMoo! Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert, Rockiest Road

Why it was a hit: If you like Rocky Road this will give you the fix you need. Our taste testers loved the marshmallow sugary sweetness and the rocky texture, but ultimately it didn’t make the top five, which was a mystery to one tester who basically ate the entire tub herself. That goes to show — every flavor has its fans.

Quick health facts: Lower in calories per serving sugar and carbs, so pls enjoy!

Where to find it: You can find NadaMoo! at major retailers such as Target, Walmart and Whole Foods priced at $5.99.

Want more options? We thought so.

Eclipse Foods Ice Cream, Cookie Butter

Eclipse Foods’ “cowlessly creamy” product is designed to trick the most loyal ice cream lovers. And the brand succeeded, developing a rich vegan dessert that’s flavor and texture is first-rate. However, this indulgence comes at a price. Each serving of this delectable ice cream contains 310 calories, 18 grams of fat, and 23 grams of added sugars. While Eclipse’s Cookie Butter ice cream is among the best non-dairy ice creams available, we are all better off not making it a daily habit.

Nutrition Facts:

• 310 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 35g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 24g
• Protein: 3g

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—which was a nice foil to the rich, thick cookie dough. If you’re sugar-conscious, know this contains 24 grams per 2/3 cup serving.

Nutrition Facts:

• 270 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 33g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 24g
• Protein: 2g

Van Leeuwen Vegan Mint Chip Ice Cream

Van Leeuwen is one of the best brands of ice cream 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. Made from cashew milk, coconut cream, and cocoa butter, this vegan treat tasted the most like classic ice cream out of all the brands we tested. If the packaging didn’t say vegan, you might think it was actually made from cow’s milk.

Nutrition Facts:

• 310 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 28g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 23g
• Protein: 3g

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

Why it was a hit: Despite numerous spoonfuls of rich, chocolatey flavors, our taste testers appreciated the clean simplicity of strawberry. “It tastes like fruit,” said one. The coconut milk gives it the creamy smoothness of traditional ice cream with just enough sweetness to make it feel like a dessert.

Nutrition Facts:

• 200 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 23g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 19g
• Protein: <1g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 260 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 35g
• Dietary Fiber: <1g
• Sugars: 25g
• Protein: 2g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 90 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 18g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugars: 7g
• Protein: 3g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 218 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 7.3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Total Carbohydrate: 23g
• Dietary Fiber: 1.5g
• Sugars: 20g
• Protein: 1.4g

Sunscoop Moringa Mint Chip Ice Cream

We loved the mint taste and if you like a thinner texture this is the choice for you. It’s like frozen yogurt and on a hot day that can be a refreshing option.

Nutrition Facts:

• 180 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 16g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 10g
• Protein: 1g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 80 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 15g
• Dietary Fiber: 5g
• Sugars: 4g
• Protein: 3g

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

Whole Foods’ 365 brand of ice cream is across the board one of the winning plant-based ice-creams we tested. This flavor tastes just like Moose Tracks, with chunks of chocolate chips and peanut butter. That’s the good news.

Nutrition Facts:

• 270 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 28g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 20g
• Protein: 5g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 260 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 35g
• Dietary Fiber: <1g
• Sugars: 25g
• Protein: 2g

Häagen-Dazs Non-Dairy Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge

Despite the fact that there aren’t any milk substitutes in Häagen Dazs’ version of vegan ice cream, it tastes as rich and creamy as the original. The peanut butter is smooth and the chocolate fudge isn’t cloyingly sweet. This overall winner (for its flavor category) was the most like the real thing, and everyone went crazy for it.

Nutrition Facts:

• 300 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 29g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 23g
• Protein: 6g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 220 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 25g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 21g
• Protein: 2g

So Delicious Dairy-Free Chocolate Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert

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!

Nutrition Facts:

• 200 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 25g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 19g
• Protein: 2g

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 the real thing, but so does the cookie dough. How do they do it? We don’t care, we just want more.

Nutrition Facts:

• 350 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 49g
• Dietary Fiber: <1g
• Sugars: 33g
• Protein: 3g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 350 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 49g
• Dietary Fiber: <1g
• Sugars: 33g
• Protein: 3g

Sunscoop 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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 170 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 15g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 9g
• Protein: 2g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 120 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 20g
• Dietary Fiber: 6g
• Sugars: 8g
• Protein: 1g

So Delicious Oatmilk Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream

Oatmilk is having a moment right now, and this concoction— featuring bits of oatmeal cookie dough and brown sugar and cinnamon—lived up to the hype.  The ice cream tasted like the real thing and the cookies were legit homemade quality. How they do this we don’t know, but if you love oatmeal cookies, you will love this flavor.

Nutrition Facts:

• 250 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 36g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 23g
• Protein: 2g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 260 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 35g
• Dietary Fiber: <1g
• Sugars: 25g
• Protein: 2g

Häagen-Dazs Non-Dairy Chocolate Salted Fudge Truffle

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 270 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 40g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 28g
• Protein: 2g

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!

Nutrition Facts:

• 150 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 20g
• Dietary Fiber: 6g
• Sugars: 9g
• Protein: 2g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 230 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 30g
• Dietary Fiber: <1g
• Sugars: 25g
• Protein: 2g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 240 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 34g
• Dietary Fiber: <1g
• Sugars: 24g
• Protein: 3g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 290 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 180mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 3g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 22g
• Protein: 4g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 290 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 37g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 27g
• Protein: 4g

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!).

Nutrition Facts:

• 330 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 43g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 28g
• Protein: 5g

So Delicious Mint Chip Coconutmilk Frozen Dessert

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 240 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 26g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 21g
• Protein: 1g

NadaMoo! No-Sugar-Added Mint Chip

We love NadaMoo for keeping it healthy with their newest batch of ice creams that are made with no added sugars and relatively low carbs. With 130 calories in a 2/3 cup and 6 grams of fiber per serving, this is definitely among the healthiest of the treats. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts:

• 140 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 20g
• Dietary Fiber: 5g
• Sugars: 10g
• Protein: 1g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 200 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate:23g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 18g
• Protein: <1g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 220 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 30g
• Dietary Fiber: <1g
• Sugars: 22g
• Protein: 2g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 270 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 33g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 24g
• Protein: 2g

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.

Nutrition Facts:

• 310 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 28g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 23g
• Protein: 3g

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!

Nutrition Facts:

• 218 Calories Per Serving
• Total Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 7.3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 23g
• Dietary Fiber: 1.5g
• Sugars: 20g
• Protein: 1.4g

The post The 12 Best Non-Dairy Ice Creams, According to the Harshest Critics—Kids! appeared first on The Beet.

We tested five popular ones and found that other than texture or thickness the biggest divide was on health attributes. If you care about avoiding saturated fat for the sake of your heart health then you need to be mindful of those vegan butters that have palm oil, coconut oil or palm kernel oil as one of the top ingredients on the label since all three are extremely high in saturated fat. And studies have shown a direct link between sat fat and a higher risk of heart disease.

Look for other nut oils such as cashew or a vegetable oil lower in saturated fat such as canola oil, flax or more of an olive oil quotient. When you see a “hard block” or more solid butter at room temperature chances are it’s higher in sat fat, since saturated fat is solid at room temperature.

The American Heart Association recommends we get no more than 5 percent of our total daily calories from saturated fat, which translates into about 10 to 13 grams depending on how much you eat in a day. The Miyokos we tested contains 8 grams in a single serving and the Earth Balance has 3 grams because it is a softer spreadable butter with a blend of oils.

Look at the labels before you buy your next vegan butter since just because it says vegan does not mean it’s healthy, warns Dr. Joel Kahn, a leading cardiologist, and plant-based nutrition advocate, and author of The Whole Heart Solution. Read more on sat fat and The Hidden Danger In Your So-Called Healthy Vegan Butter.

Coconut and palm kernel oil are both about 85 percent saturated fat and so while you’re trying to eat healthier, you may not realize these fats undermine your long-term goal. Instead look for canola, olive, avocado, and other oils as based ingredients. The Earth Balance on this list also has pea protein so all in all, this tie comes down to choosing your preference and your nutritional pleasure or poison.

We also tested I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter… It’s Vegan, which lost out in the initial taste test round to Earth Balance. The reason? Even though I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter only has 2 grams of Saturated Fat it didn’t have the same salty satisfying taste.)

Bottom line: If you’re avoiding Sat Fat, go with the I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter. If you’re aiming to have a delicious toast or crumpet with your favorite buttery spread in the am, then choose these according to personal preference. Miyoko’s will be the crowd-pleaser among butter lovers and Earth Balance will win among the margarine voters. We would love to hear your opinion!

The testing went like this: 

The whole office joined us in this taste test. The toaster was working overtime to keep up with the demand of tasters, who circled back for more after their initial tasting. The minute people see some bread and butter they seem to lose all self-control.

We didn’t reveal to the tasters which butter was which. The only thing everyone agreed upon was that both butters tasted just like the real thing. The decision was split on which was tastier.

For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products. 

Overall Winner:

1. Miyoko’s European Style Cultured Vegan Butter

This butter is the most like what you’d get straight from the farm: It comes in a block and has a consistency that is convincingly butter-like. It also spread like the real thing too. Butter lovers will be happy, but with 8 grams of Sat Fat, it’s no health bargain.

2. Rich and Creamy Melt Organic Spread

Melt, which is made from the oil of coconuts, palm, canola, sunflower, and flaxseed, scored high in the taste test for those testers who love a salty buttery spread on their muffins and bagels. No one could drag themselves away from the office toaster and everyone admitted it might not be the healthiest thing to snack on, but it was satisfyingly delicious.

3. Earth Balance Original Buttery Spread

This has a whipped butter consistency and will be a crowd please for anyone who wants a salty smooth spread. Testers described this as more like margarine than butter, but they kept coming back for more. The number one ingredient in this product is palm oil, which is so high in sat fat that anyone with elevated heart disease risk will want to avoid it.

4. Earth Balance Olive Oil Buttery Spread

We loved the spreadable texture of this Earth Balance vegan butter. However, when we looked closely at the label, we felt duped: The front says it’s made with a hint of olive oil but when you look closely at the label, the vegetable oil blend is made with canola, palm, sunflower, flax and then extra virgin olive oil in the fifth position. Still, it managed to be the second-lowest in sat fat in any that we tested with 80 calories and 2 grams of sat fat. Unless you’re going to use olive oil on your bread or corn, this is a valid choice.

5. I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter… It’s Vegan

This spread is like margarine so if you like that, you’ll love this. With only 60 calories and 2 grams of sat fat, this is the healthiest of the butters we tested. The more we know about how unhealthy sat fat is, the more we appreciate this butter. So though it may not have won in every category for taste, it definitely takes home the highest marks for being the healthiest option.

No matter the brand, all of our testers went back for seconds. The choices came down to personal preference. So if butter is your guilty pleasure, reach for Miyoko’s European Style Cultured Vegan Butter and for all you margarine lovers out there, you will not be disappointed with Earth Balance Original Butter.

The post Taste Test: The Best Vegan Butters for Your Mashed Potatoes appeared first on The Beet.

We at The Beet love to taste test the latest non-dairy, meat alternatives, and this test was a surprisingly fun one. When the two best roasts were cooked and ready for tasting we came back for seconds and thirds. Cooking no fewer than five roasts in one crowded kitchen on a chilly Tuesday afternoon, and serving them to hungry editors who had nothing for breakfast or lunch left us more than impressed.

Having never tried a vegan roast before, we expected the worst. In prior years, we refrained from the turkey altogether at family get-togethers and celebrations, opting instead for a plate of veggies and mashed potatoes (no butter). But this year, we were happy to have taste-tested, because these holiday roasts are truly as delicious as the real deal, and there’s one brand we all loved, and plan to bring to our festivities. Even the stuffing was a winner!

We tested these five: Field Roast Celebration Roast Stuffed with Butternut Squash, Apples and Mushrooms, Field Roast Celebration Roast with Breaded Stuffing and Mushroom Gravy, Trader Joe’s Breaded Turkeyless Stuffed Roast with Gravy, Tofurkey Veggie Roast, and Gardein Holiday Roast. While the four of us taste-testers have varying preferences and rarely agree on anything, we all generally came to the same conclusions about the roasts.

Overall Winner:

1. Gardein Holiday Roast

Gardien’s breaded crispy outer coat might be the thing that makes this roast the winner. But overall we loved the “meat” of the roast as well as the stuffing which balanced well and was distinctly different from the “white meat” taste of the faux turkey.

With cranberry wild-rice stuffing that’s a perfect mix of sweet and savory, this is a focal point of the meal that you’ll be happy to put on the table and even the non-vegans at the table will want to sample this dish. You can cook it straight from being frozen (so no need to defrost overnight, unlike some of the other roasts). It has a nice tender texture and a good ratio of rice-stuffing to “meat.” We couldn’t help ourselves and found ourselves going back for seconds and thirds. In fact, we would eat it year-round, not just at traditional turkey dinner time of year.

2. Trader Joe’s Breaded Turkeyless Stuffed Roast with Gravy

The Trader Joe’s roast ranks high on the list and is a virtual tie with our winner. The core of the roast is a wild-rice stuffing that includes bits of cranberries, and it’s really good if you want an even ratio of protein to stuffing. The “meat” is a soy-based protein mixed with organic ancient-grain flour, creating a nice firm bite. The outside is coated with a crisp breading seasoned with herbs. This roast is super easy: It cooks fast and no prep or thawing is needed. If you’re grabbing something last minute, this would be a great option. On day two, when we brought left-overs to The Beet offices, the team that had not tasted it initially actually liked it the best, so keep the leftovers since it travels and ages well.

3. Field Roast Celebration Roast Stuffed with Butternut Squash, Apples & Mushrooms

Admittedly, we overcooked this small roast, it was still very flavorful, and the cross-hatching on the outer skin was very realistic to a holiday ham. While tough to cut, once you reach the meat and stuffing, it was satisfyingly flavorful.

The Field Roast Celebration Roast ranks high on the list of beloved Turkey-alternative for vegans. But note, it doesn’t necessarily mimic a meat taste; although, the crisp skin-like outer coating may fool you. In Field Roast’s words, it’s “the ultimate in vegetarian sophistication.” The exterior is made up of grain meat (a.k.a. wheat gluten) flavor with sage, garlic, and lemon juice. The interior is a sausage-style stuffing made with butternut squash, mushrooms and apples seasoned with a blend of rosemary, thyme, and sage. This one does need to defrost overnight, so plan ahead.

4. Field Roast Celebration Roast with Breaded Stuffing and Mushroom Gravy

This version of the Field Roast Celebration is just as tasty as the last, but a little less elaborate when it comes to the stuffing. So if you prefer a more traditional bread-like stuffing, this is the one for you. The exterior is like a hard crust on a wheat or rye bread, which is pleasant but not really turkey-like. The texture of the “meat” is a little spongier than actual turkey, and at the end of the day, we felt that we were eating a lot of bread on bread.

This stuffing was the one we kept digging into, however, so if you are a stuffing lover, and you like the bready consistency of traditional stuffing, you will definitely feel satisfied bringing this to your Thanksgiving table.

5. Tofurkey Veggie Roast

Probably the best known, Tofurky has been around since 1995, and is still going strong as a holiday favorite. However, we think some of its rivals have surpassed it in new technology when it comes to making meatless meat taste like the real thing. We love the Tofurkey founder’s story on How I Built This with Seth Tibbot, who lived in a tree house, leave a bit to be desired but mix with gravy and mashed potatoes, and it will go down just fine. Its base is wheat gluten, and the stuffing has a flavorful taste. Note they do say to thaw for 24 hours in advance, so plan ahead.

The post The Great Vegan Turkey Taste-Test: Which Roast Should You Bring to Dinner? appeared first on The Beet.