Summertime is the season for cool treats. On a hot day, what’s a better indulgence than a dish of ice cream? But if you have a lactose or casein intolerance, or a milk allergy, then eating a dairy-based treat can negatively affect your health and cause you to feel ill. Luckily, food manufacturers have been getting creative, and there is now a wide range of dairy-free frozen desserts available that taste a lot like ice cream (without the actual cream, of course). Read on to learn more about these dairy-free choices that you can purchase or even make at home!
Almond milk frozen dessert. A few different dessert brands have started making almond milk ice cream. This dairy-free type of dessert is, in many cases, also gluten-free. The texture is moderately creamy, and there are often plenty of flavors to choose from—from the typical vanilla or chocolate to fancier flavors like mint chocolate chip or mocha. This type of ice cream is not suitable for people with nut allergies.
Soy milk frozen dessert. Soy milk ice cream can be creamier than almond milk ice cream. In addition to being dairy-free, many varieties are also nut-free and gluten-free. There are often plenty of fun flavors to choose from! Not suitable for anyone with soy allergies or sensitivities.
Cashew milk frozen dessert. This is one of the newer types of dairy-free desserts available. It is creamier than other desserts made with nut milk, with a consistency that’s more ice cream-like than, say, almond milk ice cream. Because this is a newer arrival to the market, there is less variation in flavors and brands. This type of ice cream is not suitable for people with nut allergies.
Rice milk frozen dessert. This type of dairy-free ice cream often has the fewest allergens in it; some varieties are free of nuts, gluten, and soy. It is less creamy than the other ice cream alternatives, and the flavors often aren’t as varied or exciting as some of the almond or soy milk dessert flavors, but rice milk ice cream is often the safest choice, allergy-wise, for those who suffer from multiple allergies and sensitivities.
Ice cream made with frozen bananas. Did you know that you can make a creamy, healthier dessert using frozen bananas? If you have a food processor or powerful blender, banana ice cream is a simple dessert to make. Try these step-by-step instructions for making one-ingredient banana ice cream. If you want to make a fancier version with fun flavors, click here to see recipes like Blueberry Banana Ice Cream and Raw Chocolate Banana Ice Cream!
Fruit pops. There are always plenty of dairy-free popsicles to choose from in the frozen novelty aisle of your grocery store. But wouldn’t it be more fun to make your own? That way, you have complete control over your ingredients, and you get to express some creativity in the kitchen! Here are some refreshing fruit pop recipes that are easy to make:
Blueberry Pops and Strawberry Pops
Important notes:
- Look in the natural frozen foods aisle of your local grocery store for frozen desserts made from almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk, and rice milk.
- Always read the nutrition labels carefully. Many people with dairy allergies or intolerances have other food allergies and sensitivities. Read the ingredient list as well as the listed allergens to make sure the dairy-free ice cream you want to try is safe for you to eat.
For Health Advocate members
If you are a Health Advocate member with access to our Wellness Coaching program, call your coach for more help finding healthy recipes and summer treat ideas!
