Is oat milk ice cream healthier than regular ice cream?

Delicious non-dairy oat milk may have made Oatly a household name, but it’s their diverse product range of vegan yogurts, custards, and even dairy-free cream cheese that’s made them one of the most exciting brands of the moment.

And now, there is Oatly oat ice-cream, their most recent – and cereal-ously tempting – addition to their line-up.

But is it as good as their other Oatly products? Or is their non-dairy ice-cream just another wannabe Halo Top?

Let’s soak up the facts together.


What ingredients are in Oatly ice-cream?

There are six flavours in the Oatly ice-cream range: Strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, chocolate fudge, hazelnut swirl, and salted caramel.

Vanilla is the most basic flavour with the fewest ingredients, so let’s start there.

Ingredients: Water, oats, sugar, dextrose, rapeseed oil, glucose syrup, fully hydrogenated vegetable oils (coconut, rapeseed), coconut oil, emulsifier (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), stabilisers (locust bean gum, guar gum), natural flavour, salt, vanilla seeds, colour (beta carotene).

Ideally, a healthy ice-cream would include only ingredients you can buy singularly from the supermarket. However, because this is a dairy-free alternative, there are bound to be some miscellaneous items in there (because if you don’t have cream, you’re going to struggle to get any natural creaminess in there).

So, how does Oatly ice-cream get its creaminess? Unfortunately with a few nasties: a lot of vegetable oils, and beta carotene, for colour. Without the oils, the product would have a very gritty mouthfeel. Whereas in non-vegan ice-cream, the velvety texture comes from things like milk, cream, and sometimes eggs.

Is oat milk ice cream healthier than regular ice cream?

Is Oatly ice-cream healthier than dairy ice-cream?

If consuming wholefoods is your priority (which it should be) and you can eat non-vegan, dairy-rich foods, then good quality dairy ice-cream is the healthier option. It will be more satisfying and will keep you fuller for longer.

And despite non-dairy ice-cream doesn’t include high-calorie ingredients like whipping cream and whole milk, Oatly ice-cream is more calorific (218 calories per 100g) than good quality dairy ice-cream (approx. 204 calories per 100g). The calorie increase is likely due to the high amounts of oil in the Oatly version.

Again surprisingly, there is more sugar in Oatly ice-cream than dairy ice-cream (22g vs 19.3g per 100g). That’s the sugar, dextrose and glucose syrup working its magic.

Related: Don’t Be Fooled: 56 Ways You’re Lied To About Sugar

And while you probably won’t eat dairy ice-cream for its health benefits, dairy versions are actually much higher in protein than dairy-free alternatives. Just look at Oatly with its paltry 0.8g protein per 100g vs 3.6g protein in regular ice-cream. (You guessed it, that’s because of the milk protein, or lack thereof in Oatly’s case.)

The only nutritional component that they do not differ on is saturated fat; both the dairy and non-dairy ice-creams we looked at included exactly the same amount of saturated fat per 100g (6.8g respectively).

The bottom line

The answer to whether Oatly ice-cream is healthier than other dairy ice-creams is a tough one.

Yes, the nutritional info suggests dairy ice-cream is better for you, but there are other factors to consider, too. Like whether your body responds well to dairy, if you are following a vegan/plant-based diet, and if looking to consume more eco-friendly foods.

While there can’t be a definitive ‘broad stroke’ answer, given the factors above, what we can say is that providing consumers with more options in the supermarket is certainly a positive step.

Image credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rockspindeln/27142974837

As we’ve discussed countless times in previous articles, there is no shortage of plant-based milk alternatives to dairy milk. Not only do they mimic dairy milk in taste and consistency, but they can also be used in many of the same ways. One such example would be when making ice cream. Oat milk would be one of the more popular choices, and in this article we’ll be having a look at oat milk ice cream vs regular ice cream so you can compare and decide for yourself.

In short, the difference between oat milk ice cream vs regular ice cream is that the oat milk variety is vegan, lactose-free, and contains no cholesterol because it is made with oat milk rather than dairy-based milk. The tradeoff, however, is that it contains just as much added sugar as regular ice cream and significantly less protein.

That said, let’s have a closer look at these factors to truly understand the differences.

What’s The Deal With Oak Milk Ice Cream?

Oat milk ice cream is a type of ice cream that is made using oat milk instead of the usual dairy-based milk.

Is oat milk ice cream healthier than regular ice cream?

The benefit of substituting a plant-based milk for ice cream is that it offers an alternative that doesn’t come with some of the troubling elements of dairy-based milk.

Typical dairy-based milk tends to be high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and contains lactose as well. Opting to substitute with oat milk, for example, eliminates two of those three while significantly reducing the third.

Additionally, since dairy has been eliminated from the equation, oat milk ice cream does not contain any animal products, making it a vegan-friendly dessert.

Taste & Texture

The challenge when making ice cream with plant-based milk alternatives is matching the creamy consistency of regular ice cream. This is one area where oat milk ice cream excels, according to reviews of the Oatly brand of vanilla ice cream– the most-reviewed oat milk ice cream on Amazon.com.

Oat milk ice cream has a rich flavor and creamy texture that mimics regular ice cream quite well, according to some reviews.

Ingredients

It’s always good to know what’s in your food, and this is also true when comparing oat milk ice cream vs regular ice cream.

According to the nutrition label, Oatly’s brand of vanilla-flavored oat milk ice cream contains:

  • Oat milk
  • Coconut oil
  • Sugar
  • Dextrose
  • Dried glucose syrup
  • Low erucic acid rapeseed oil
  • And more

Be sure to check their website for the full list of ingredients.

Now that we’ve gone over the basics of oat milk ice cream, let’s have a look at how it compares to regular ice cream that is made using dairy milk.

Oat Milk Ice Cream Is Lactose-Free

One of the biggest benefits of opting for oat milk ice cream over the regular kind is that it does not contain lactose– a type of sugar found in milk.

Those with lactose intolerance are unable to properly digest this sugar, leading to gas, bloating, and more, according to Mayo Clinic.

Opting for oat milk ice cream is a great way to avoid the lactose found in regular dairy-based ice cream.

Oat Milk Ice Cream Is Vegan

Another big selling point of oat milk ice cream is that it isn’t made with animal products, making it a vegan-friendly option for those who cannot eat regular ice cream due to the dairy it contains.

Nutrition Facts

Let’s have a look at some of the nutritional differences between regular ice cream and ice cream made with oat milk.

The table below compares a 2/3 cup serving of Oatly vanilla ice cream with an equal serving size of Haagen-Dazs vanilla-flavored and Ben & Jerry’s vanilla-flavored ice cream.

These brands for chosen as they are three of the most recognized brands among consumers.

Item Oat Milk Ice Cream Haagen-Dazs Ben & Jerry’s
 
Is oat milk ice cream healthier than regular ice cream?
Is oat milk ice cream healthier than regular ice cream?
Is oat milk ice cream healthier than regular ice cream?
Serving Size 2/3 cup 2/3 cup 2/3 cup
Calories 210 320 330
Total Fat 13g 21g 21g
Saturated Fat 8g 13g 13g
Trans Fat 0g 1g 1g
Cholesterol 0mg 95mg 120mg
Total Carbohydrate 25g 26g 28g
Dietary Fiber 1g 0g 0g
Total Sugars 18g 25g 27g
Added Sugar 18g 18g 21g
Protein 1g 6g 6g
Sodium 40mg 75mg 65mg
Potassium 0mg 220mg 160mg
Vitamin D 0% DV 4% DV 6% DV
Calcium 0% DV 10% DV 15% DV
Iron 0% DV 0% DV 2% DV
Sources linked in item names

As you can see, oat milk ice cream does share some traits with regular ice cream. For example, it has just as many carbohydrates and nearly as much added sugar.

Oat Milk Ice Cream Has Fewer Calories

One distinct advantage oat milk ice cream has over the regular kind is that it contains roughly 30% fewer calories per serving.

This means that if you’re trying to restrict your caloric intake, then opting oat milk ice cream will afford you a greater volume of food for less calories.

It Also Contains Less Fat

Possibly the biggest nutritional advantage that oat milk ice cream has to offer is that it doesn’t contain as much fat as the regular kind does.

Not only does it contain less total fat, but it also has less of the “bad” fats too, such as saturated fat and trans fat.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), saturated fat is a “bad” type of fat that is solid at room temperature and can raise LDL cholesterol levels.

Trans fats, on the other hand, might be even worse. They too can raise LDL levels, but while also lowering HDL levels, according to the AHA.

Oat milk ice cream contains roughly 38% less saturated fat per serving than regular ice cream, and it contains no trans fats whatsoever.

Oat Milk Ice Cream Is Cholesterol-Free

Another perk to enjoy when choosing oat milk ice cream is that it does not contain dietary cholesterol.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in animal-based foods. The human liver produces its own cholesterol, so it isn’t necessary to consume it in the diet.

It was once believed that cholesterol consumption negatively impacts blood cholesterol levels, but the narrative on that appears to have shifted.

That said, cholesterol remains a contentious topic, with different experts having varying opinions. Those who choose to play it safe and avoid cholesterol regardless will find oat milk ice cream to be more compatible with their preferences.

Regular Ice Cream Packs More Protein

The greatest nutritional advantage that regular ice cream has to offer over the oat milk variety is that it packs much more protein, clocking in at 6 grams per 2/3 cup serving.

Oat milk ice cream, on the other hand, has a meager 1 gram for a similar serving size.

It Also Contains More Vitamins & Minerals

Finally, regular ice cream does have another nutritional advantage in that it contains more vitamins and minerals than oat milk ice cream, including:

  • Potassium, an essential electrolyte and mineral responsible for managing fluid balance in the body.
  • Vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium.
  • Calcium, which helps build strong bones.
  • Iron, which helps transport oxygen in the blood.

The Bottom Line

In short, there are many differences between oat milk ice cream vs regular ice cream, but the advantages appear to favor the former.

Not only is it lactose-free and lower in some of the bad fats, but it also has fewer calories and even a little bit of fiber too.

That said, if protein is your priority, then the regular old dairy-based ice cream may be the better option for you.

Is Oatmilk ice cream better for you?

While I would not describe oat milk ice cream as healthy per se (it still has a relatively high calorie count and sugar count), it is certainly a healthier option than standard ice creams. Because this oat milk ice cream is made without heavy cream, it contains fewer calories.

Is coconut milk ice cream healthier than regular ice cream?

It's true that coconut contains a healthier type of saturated fat, but it's still not doing you any major health favors. Both frozen yogurt and coconut milk ice cream are packed with added sugar, so portion control is key when you feel like treating yourself.

Is almond milk ice cream healthier than regular ice cream?

Though ice cream made from almonds is not as rich as milk-based ice cream, it is lower in calories and fat and contains no cholesterol, making it a healthy alternative to regular ice cream.

Is non dairy ice cream better than dairy ice cream?

Nondairy versions of traditional ice cream brands generally have fewer calories and less fat than their related dairy versions. But they are not exactly what you would call a healthy dessert.