Smaller companies like Coconut Bliss and Raw Ice Cream Company have been churning out dairy-free alternatives to ice cream for years. If you’re vegan, lactose-intolerant, or have dairy allergies (an immune response triggered by the protein in milk), the upside of these dairy-free alternatives is clear. But for those of us who can handle—and love—dairy, does it make a difference? It depends on what you’re looking for. Vegan and dairy versions have about the same amount of fat and sugar, so you can’t cheat the system by picking one over the other. That said, traditional dairy options bring a lot more calcium and protein to the table: 20% of your daily value of calcium compared to 4% in vegan alternatives, and 3 to 4 grams of protein instead of 1 or none, saysKerri-Ann Jennings, a Burlington, Vermont-based dietitian and nutrition coach. Dairy-free options, however, stand out in the fiber department, containing as much as 20% of what a woman needs in a day, likely because they’re plant-based, she adds. “Unless you prefer the taste, or really want a dairy alternative, you’re not doing yourself any favors nutritionally,” Jennings says. However, if you’ve noticed digestive reactions to the sweet stuff, it might be time to consider switching to the dairy-free side. “The amount of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk, that your body produces tends to diminish as you get older,” Jennings says. “Food sensitivities can really pop up at any time—it’s something to pay attention to.” More: What’s Healthier: Cow Milk vs Goat Milk
