Phish Food ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s is one of the most popular flavors from the Vermont-based company known for its creative and sometimes quirky flavor combinations. With a vanilla ice cream base loaded with marshmallow swirls, caramel swirls, and fudge fish, Phish Food is a chocolate lover’s dream. But what about people who need or prefer to avoid dairy? Can they enjoy this fan favorite flavor too? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and find out.
Quick Answer
No, Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream is not dairy free. It contains milk and cream as the first two ingredients. People with dairy allergies or sensitivities should avoid Phish Food and select a non-dairy frozen dessert instead.
Ingredients in Phish Food
According to the Ben & Jerry’s website, these are the ingredients in Phish Food ice cream:
- Milk
- Cream
- Liquid Sugar
- Skim Milk
- Water
- Sugar
- Cocoa Processed with Alkali
- Marshmallow Swirl (Sugar, Corn Syrup, Dextrose, Modified Corn Starch, Water, Gelatin, Natural Flavor, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Blue 1)
- Caramel Swirl (Corn Syrup, Sugar, Whey, Nonfat Milk, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Heavy Cream, Salt, Natural Flavors, Mono and Diglycerides, Carrageenan, Soy Lecithin {processing aid})
- Cocoa Fudge Fish (Sugar, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Nonfat Milk, Milk, Soy Lecithin {processing aid}, Vanilla Extract)
Why Phish Food Contains Dairy
As the ingredients list shows, Phish Food contains several different dairy products:
- Milk – This is the main ingredient and dairy base of the ice cream.
- Cream – Another dairy component that adds richness and fat.
- Skim milk – Adds more milk flavor and nutrients.
- Whey – A protein in milk, used in the caramel swirl.
- Nonfat milk – Also found in the caramel swirl.
- Milk – An ingredient in the chocolate fudge fish.
These various milk-derived ingredients give Phish Food its creamy texture and signature dairy taste. Ice cream is considered a dairy product, and most traditional ice cream contains some form of milk or cream. Ben & Jerry’s uses milk and cream as the foundation of all their ice cream flavors. The company has not reformulated Phish Food to be dairy-free at this time.
Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy Frozen Desserts
While Phish Food is not dairy-free, Ben & Jerry’s does offer some non-dairy frozen dessert options. These are made with almond milk or sunflower oil instead of dairy. Flavors include:
- Non-Dairy Chocolate Fudge Brownie
- Non-Dairy Chunky Monkey
- Non-Dairy Coconut Seven Layer Bar
- Non-Dairy Coffee Caramel Fudge
- Non-Dairy Cherry Garcia
- Non-Dairy Cinnamon Buns
- Non-Dairy Cookie Dough
- Non-Dairy Mint Chocolate Cookie
- Non-Dairy Peanut Butter Half Baked
- Non-Dairy P.B. & Cookies
- Non-Dairy Salted Caramel Almond
- Non-Dairy Strawberry Cheesecake
- Non-Dairy Vanilla
While not exactly like the traditional ice creams, these non-dairy frozen desserts aim to mimic the same flavors using alternative ingredients. They are a good option for those seeking a Phish Food inspired treat without the dairy. Ben & Jerry’s continues to expand their non-dairy selections based on popularity and demand.
Other Non-Dairy and Vegan Phish Food Alternatives
In addition to the official non-dairy offerings from Ben & Jerry’s, there are other alternative frozen desserts that mimic the Phish Food flavor profile. These can be found at some grocery stores, ice cream shops, and vegan specialty shops. Some options include:
- So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster – Contains caramel swirls and chocolate chunks for similar visual appeal and taste.
- Coconut Bliss Ginger Cookie Caramel – Has caramel swirls and ginger molasses cookies that approximate the brownie batter in Phish Food.
- Nada Moo Chocolate Cookies and Cream – Subs the marshmallow swirl with chocolate cookie pieces and chocolate chips.
- Cado Avocado Fudge Pops – Fudgy vegan ice cream with swirls reminiscent of Phish Food.
There are also recipes available online to make homemade dairy-free Phish Food by swapping the milk and cream for coconut milk, cashew cream, or banana. While not exactly the same, these creative non-dairy artisans aim to pay homage to the classic Ben & Jerry’s treat in their own unique way.
Milk Allergies and Lactose Intolerance
People with milk allergies, lactose intolerance, or sensitivities need to avoid Phish Food due to the milk-based ingredients. A milk allergy is caused by the immune system reacting to the proteins found in milk. Lactose intolerance is caused by the inability to fully digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. Both conditions can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, hives, wheezing, and other reactions after consuming dairy products.
Here are some stats on milk allergies and lactose intolerance:
| Condition | Percent of Population Affected |
|---|---|
| Milk allergy | 0.5-3% |
| Lactose intolerance | 68% of global population |
As the numbers show, a significant percentage of people need to modify their ice cream choices due to dairy-related issues. Thankfully, the rise of non-dairy frozen desserts provides more options on the market than ever before.
Nutritional Profile Comparison
From a nutrition standpoint, Phish Food stacks up as follows against non-dairy alternatives:
| Ice Cream | Serving Size | Calories | Fat (g) | Protein (g) | Sugar (g) | Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phish Food | 1/2 cup | 260 | 14 | 3 | 24 | 33 |
| So Delicious Salted Caramel Cluster | 1/2 cup | 260 | 16 | 1 | 21 | 33 |
| Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy Cherry Garcia | 1/2 cup | 240 | 14 | 2 | 19 | 29 |
As seen above, Phish Food and its dairy-free alternatives are fairly comparable in terms of calorie, fat, sugar, and carbohydrate content. Protein tends to be a bit lower in non-dairy products since they do not contain milk. But overall, nutrition profiles are in the same ballpark.
Taste Comparison
Of course, nutrition facts only tell part of the story. The main consideration for Phish Food fans is how the flavor and texture compare between the Original and non-dairy varieties. Here are some key points on taste:
- Phish Food’s dairy base provides a rich, creamy mouthfeel that is hard to mimic exactly with plant-based ingredients.
- Non-dairy versions tend to be slightly icier in texture, though manufacturing has improved dramatically.
- Complementary flavors like fudge, caramel, chocolate, and marshmallow help bridge taste gap.
- Non-dairy recipes rely on coconut, nuts, avocado, banana, and other fruit to provide fatty creaminess.
- Some non-dairy options like oat and cashew can come closer to matching creamy dairy taste.
- Flavor preferences are subjective so non-dairy may appeal differently based on individual tastes.
Quality and techniques for non-dairy frozen desserts are continually evolving. While most experts say dairy-based Phish Food still reigns supreme on overall taste and texture, the non-dairy world is making impressive strides. It offers a viable solution for those seeking the same fixings in a dairy-free format.
Price Differences
In most cases, non-dairy alternatives come at a higher retail price than their traditional dairy counterparts. For example:
- Phish Food: $4.99 to $5.99 per pint
- So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster: $5.99 to $6.99 per pint
- Ben and Jerry’s Non-Dairy: $5.49 to $6.49 per pint
Factors driving the price premium on non-dairy options include:
- Niche category requiring separate equipment and manufacturing.
- Relatively low volume compared to mass-market dairy ice creams.
- Ingredients like coconut and cashew can be pricier than dairy.
- Labor-intensive R&D to formulate recipes and mimic textures.
- Targeted marketing to specific lifestyle consumer segments.
As non-dairy frozen desserts continue to grow in popularity, economies of scale could potentially bring prices down closer to conventional ice cream. But for now, a $1-3 premium is standard in most areas.
Environmental Impact
Some environmentally conscious consumers also prefer non-dairy for its ecological benefits. Dairy production has a significant environmental footprint when factoring in:
- Methane emissions from cow herds.
- Land and water usage for livestock feed production.
- Transportation and packaging waste.
- Energy usage for dairy processing and transport.
While non-dairy products also utilize resources, most have a lower carbon footprint than traditional dairy. Here is a comparison of emissions per pint:
| Ice Cream Type | Kg CO2e per pint |
|---|---|
| Dairy-based | 1.9 kg |
| Almond-based | 1.7 kg |
| Coconut-based | 1.2 kg |
| Cashew-based | 1.1 kg |
This analysis shows almond-based as comparable to dairy, while coconut and cashew have a much lower carbon impact. So consumers seeking to reduce their carbon footprint may want to factor this in when choosing non-dairy options.
Conclusion
Phish Food remains a classic favorite for ice cream lovers, but is not suitable for people avoiding dairy. Thankfully, the rise of quality non-dairy frozen desserts provides comparable Phish Food flavors for people with milk allergies, lactose intolerance, or other diet preferences. While the dairy-free options may differ slightly in taste, texture, and price, they offer a similar experience that captures the essence of those unique swirls, chunks and flavors.
So for those who scream for Phish Food but need to go dairy-free, fret not. The world of non-dairy ice cream continues to innovate, expanding the choices to bring this iconic treat to more freezers across the land. While Phish Food itself contains milk-based ingredients, its whimsical spirit now swims in plant-based waters – so everyone can partake of the aquatic escapades.
