So Good is a popular brand of dairy-free ice cream made from plant-based ingredients like coconut cream, almond milk, and rice milk. With a creamy texture and flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, So Good offers a delicious vegan alternative to traditional dairy ice cream. But is So Good completely dairy-free? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and nutritional information to find out.
What Makes Ice Cream Non-Dairy?
Traditional ice cream is made from dairy ingredients like cream, milk, and milk solids. For an ice cream to be considered dairy-free, it cannot contain any components that come from cow’s milk or other animal milk sources. Dairy-free ice creams are made using plant-based milks and creams derived from sources like:
- Coconut cream and coconut milk
- Almond milk
- Cashew milk
- Oat milk
- Rice milk
- Soy milk
These provide the creamy texture of ice cream without the use of dairy. Other common non-dairy ingredients in dairy-free ice cream include:
- Tapioca
- Arrowroot
- Guar gum
- Xanthan gum
- Locust bean gum
- Vegetable glycerin
These help mimic the smooth, frozen consistency of real ice cream. As long as no milk, cream, milk solids, or other dairy components are present, an ice cream can be considered 100% dairy-free.
Examining the Ingredients in So Good Ice Cream
To determine if So Good is dairy-free, we need to closely examine the ingredients listed on the packaging. According to the So Good website, their ice cream contains:
- Filtered water
- Coconut cream
- Cane sugar
- Maize starch
- Vegetable glycerin
- Natural flavors
- Locust bean gum
- Guar gum
- Sea salt
- Various fruit purees for fruit flavors
As we can see, the main ingredients are coconut cream and water, with no milk, cream, or milk derivatives present. The gums and glycerin help replicate the smooth mouthfeel of dairy ice cream. So far, the ingredients check out as dairy-free.
Checking the “May Contain” Warnings
Some brands of non-dairy ice cream have advisory statements like “May contain traces of milk” on their packaging. This is because the product is made in a facility that also processes dairy products, and cross-contamination is possible.
However, So Good ice cream packaging does not contain any “may contain milk” warnings. This further confirms that during the production process, So Good ice cream has no direct contact with milk or milk products.
Examining the Nutrition Facts of So Good Ice Cream
Analyzing the nutritional information on So Good ice cream can provide more clues into whether it contains hidden dairy ingredients. Here’s a look at the nutrition facts for 1/2 cup of So Good vanilla flavored ice cream:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 160 |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 7 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 65 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 21 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugars | 12 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
There are two key things we can learn from these nutrition facts. First, a 1/2 cup serving of So Good contains 0 mg of cholesterol. Dairy products all contain cholesterol naturally, so the complete lack of cholesterol indicates no dairy ingredients are present.
Second, we see 7 g of saturated fat per serving. Coconut cream contains high levels saturated fat, which explains this amount. Dairy-based ice creams get their saturated fat from milk fats. Again, the fat profile matches what you’d expect in a coconut-based, dairy-free ice cream.
So the nutrition facts also point to So Good being a vegan, non-dairy product.
So Good Company Statements on Dairy-Free Status
In addition to the ingredients and nutrition, we can also look to the manufacturer’s statements on their dairy-free status. On So Good’s website, they clearly state:
“All So Good products are dairy free and suitable for vegans.”
Additionally, So Good ice cream packaging features a “Non-Dairy” label prominently on the front. The company is very transparent about their lack of dairy ingredients and vegan suitability.
Some additional evidence that So Good is dairy-free:
- The company’s website and packaging state it is “lactose free” – lactose is the sugar exclusively found in dairy products.
- So Good is certified by the Vegan Society as 100% plant-based.
- You can browse the flavors on their website and view the complete ingredients list, which reveals no trace of dairy.
So Good directly states their product is dairy-free and provides evidence through ingredient lists and vegan certification. This confirms that no animal milk is found in their non-dairy ice cream.
Why So Good Can Replicate the Taste But Be Dairy-Free
After looking at the formulation, a dairy-free ice cream like So Good can convincingly replicate the taste and texture of real ice cream. How is this possible?
There are a few keys:
- Using coconut cream as the rich, fatty base – Coconut cream provides the same luxurious mouthfeel as dairy cream.
- Adding gums and starches – These create a smooth, creamy consistency without the need for milk fats.
- Using natural flavors – So Good claims these are what give their ice cream a convincing dairy-like taste.
- Including fruit and cacao – Real fruit and chocolate provide flavor and richness that makes up for no dairy.
With the right combinations of plants and food science, non-dairy ice creams now closely mimic the indulgence of real dairy ice cream. Companies like So Good have gotten so good at imitation through carefully crafted recipes.
So Good vs Other Popular Dairy-Free Ice Cream Brands
So Good isn’t the only dairy-free ice cream on the market claiming to taste just like the real thing. How does So Good compare to some other top dairy-free ice cream brands?
Oatly
- Made from oat milk
- Higher protein from using an oat base
- More minimal ingredients focused just on oats and cane sugar
Coconut Bliss
- Made from coconut milk and organic farm ingredients
- Denser, creamier texture than So Good
- Small batch crafted, less mass production
Nada Moo
- Made from coconut milk and almond milk
- Wide range of unique vegan flavors like lavender, vanilla chai, etc
- Does not use gums for thickness – uses date paste instead
Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy
- Uses almond milk as the dairy alternative
- Fun funky flavors like PB & Cookies, Cherry Garcia, etc to mimic full-dairy Ben & Jerry’s
- Owned by global ice cream company Unilever
So Good holds its own among these other popular dairy-free ice cream brands. While the bases and textures may differ slightly across brands, they all deliver on rich, indulgent non-dairy ice cream free of milk and cream. So Good offers a coconut-based alternative focused on affordability and mass market appeal.
Reasons to Choose So Good Dairy-Free Ice Cream
What makes So Good a leading choice among the dairy-free options? Here are some of the key advantages to So Good’s non-dairy ice creams:
- Allergy-friendly for consumers who can’t have milk or lactose
- Suitable for vegan or vegetarian diets
- Provides a rich, creamy treat without the dairy
- Wide range of flavors from chocolate to cake batter to match traditional ice creams
- Free of dairy-free common allergens like nuts
- More affordable price point than boutique non-dairy brands
- Sold at all major grocery chains for easy accessibility
- Company clearly labels and markets product as non-dairy
For those seeking an accessible, tasty dairy-free ice cream at a reasonable price, So Good hits all the right notes.
Common Questions About So Good Ice Cream
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about So Good’s dairy-free status:
Is So Good lactose free?
Yes, So Good contains 0% lactose, the natural sugar found in milk and dairy products. This makes it safe for those with lactose intolerance.
Does So Good have milk ingredients?
No, you will not find any milk, cream, milk solids, whey, or other milk-derived ingredients in So Good products. They are 100% dairy-free.
What milk is used in So Good?
So Good does not use any cow, goat, or other animal-based milk. The “milk” in So Good comes from plants – it’s made using a blend of filtered water and coconut cream.
Is So Good safe for milk allergies?
Yes, So Good is safe for people with dairy milk allergies as it is completely free of milk proteins. Always check with your doctor to confirm suitability.
Can vegans eat So Good?
Yes, So Good has official approval from The Vegan Society for its completely plant-based formulation without any animal products. Vegans can safely enjoy So Good.
The Bottom Line: So Good is Dairy-Free
After reviewing the ingredients lists, nutrition facts, manufacturing information, and brand statements, all signs point to So Good being a 100% dairy-free ice cream:
- No traces of milk, cream, whey, or milk solids are used in the ingredients
- Nutrition facts show no cholesterol and follow non-dairy fat profiles
- The company clearly states it is dairy-free, lactose-free and vegan
- So Good carries valid vegan certifications
- Dairy-free bases like coconut cream give it a creamy texture and taste
While So Good does an impeccable job mimicking the mouthfeel of dairy ice cream through coconut cream, gums, and natural flavors, it achieves this 100% without milk or lactose. So Good lives up to its promise of being a delicious dairy-free, vegan ice cream. Those seeking a non-dairy indulgence can enjoy So Good guilt-free.
