Let's be honest, it is difficult to grocery shop, even with a list, and not get a dessert. But when you are lactose-intolerant or simply choose not to eat dairy, the options are more limited. Thankfully, many dairy-free ice creams have been popping up.
For all of you lactose-intolerant and dairy-avoiding folks, here is an honest ranking of dairy-free ice creams that you can find at Whole Foods.
Rice Dream Organic Rice-Based Non-Dairy Vanilla
Taste: You can definitely taste the rice, not enough vanilla flavor
Texture: Weirdly spongy
Overall: 2.5/10
Price: $2.27
Calories (per 1/2 cup): 160
Sugar (per 1/2 cup): 14
Almond Dream Almond-Based Non-Dairy Chocolate
Taste: Can taste almonds, solid chocolate flavor, similar to chocolate mousse, you can tell it is dairy-free ice cream
Texture: Regular ice cream texture, a tad spongy
Overall: 6.5/10
Price: $4.59
Calories (per 1/2 cup): 180
Sugar (per 1/2 cup): 17
Almond Créme Dairy-Free Organic Coffee Bean
Taste: Stronger than straight black coffee, like chewing coffee grinds, even the hardcore black coffee drinker hated it
Texture: Way too many coffee bean pieces, would have been better without them
Overall: 1/10
Price: $3.47
Calories (per 1/2 cup): 170
Sugar (per 1/2 cup): 15g
So Delicious Dairy-Free Coconut Milk Cookie Dough
Taste: You can taste the coconut, cookie dough chunks are great, could have more vanilla flavor
Texture: Regular ice cream texture, good amount of chocolate chips and cookie dough
Overall: 7/10
Price: $6.69
Calories (per 1/2 cup): 210
Sugar (per 1/2 cup): 19g
Luna&Larry's Organic Coconut Bliss Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, Soy-Free, Non-Dairy, Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie
Taste: Can taste coconut, almost has an alcohol flavor, you can definitely tell it is dairy-free and gluten-free
Texture: Cookie bits are dry, ice cream is smooth and creamy
Overall: 6/10
Price: $6.49
Calories (per 1/2 cup): 250
Sugar (per 1/2 cup): 14g
Nada Moo Mmm... Maple Pecan (Made With Coconut Milk)
Taste: Exact maple flavor, cannot taste coconut, good pecan pieces
Texture: Soft and creamy, good amount of pecan pieces
Overall: 8/10
Price: $6.99
Calories (per 1/2 cup): 140
Sugar (per 1/2 cup): 7g
I am not dairy-free by choice, so as it became more popular in society to go dairy-free, the ice cream followed suit, and I am truly thankful.