Everybody loves ice cream. Even those who are lactose intolerant will suffer the consequences of eating dairy if it means taking a few licks of the good stuff. Ice cream is so delicious that the entire month of July is dedicated to the frozen dessert.
National Ice Cream Month was the brainchild of Ronald Reagan in 1984, and National Ice Cream Day is the third Sunday in the month of July. He saw ice cream as “wholesome and nutritious” (not so sure about his judgment call there) food, according to his proclamation. Since 90% of the population enjoyed ice cream at the time, Reagan thought that it should be recognized for an entire month. From then on, he instructed all Americans to observe the month with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
At the time of Reagan’s proclamation, 10% of all milk from American dairy farmers was for ice cream production. The nation’s love for ice cream continues to supply thousands of people with jobs. A 2014 statistic shows that ice cream companies produced 872 million gallons of ice cream and sales of frozen desserts rose to $5.4 billion.
With the increased dairy consumption rate in America, what does this mean for American health? Contrary to what we have been taught about dairy, it is not nature’s perfect food. We actually don’t need dairy to have healthy bones or teeth. In fact, consuming dairy can actually make you more likely to develop osteoporosis and increase the likelihood of breaking bones or developing asthma, eczema, or even fibroids.
Ice cream is full of fat and is a dairy product that can raise cholesterol levels, especially if you eat it all the time. With current health trends and the general desire to be healthier, people are in constant search of dairy-free options. Lucky for you, we have several delicious, dairy-free, and not to mention healthy, ice cream recipes for you to enjoy this July. Try the following recipes and enjoy the new possibilities of the world of vegan ice cream.
Crunchy Almond Butter Soft Serve
If you are a fan of the nutty flavor of almonds and enjoy the creaminess of soft serve, you’ll love this recipe. Add the tropical fusion of coconut and bananas to the mix and you have a damn delicious dessert. Top your soft serve with some summer fruit varieties for added flavors and nutrients.
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches
Yes, these are actually vegan. Using cashews and coconut meat as the base, the ice cream bursts with the vibrant flavor of fresh mint and peppermint oil. Sandwich that deliciousness between two vegan walnut date cookies and you are good to go!
The Best Raw Vegan Ice Cream
If you’re a fan of the classic vanilla flavor, you’ll love this raw, vegan ice cream. It is a refreshing summer treat that’ll go perfect on top of our raw apple pie.
Sweet Potato Ice Cream
If you like sweet potato anything, you’ll love this sweet potato ice cream that is flavored with cinnamon, the nuttiness of walnuts, and the comforting flavors of nutmeg and vanilla. This will change your perspective about vegan desserts.
Homemade Peach Ice Cream
Summer is the season of peaches, so why not transform them into ice cream! Steer clear of artificial flavors and use the natural sweetness of dates, maple syrup, fresh peaches, and coconut milk. Refresh you palate this summer with this tasty ice cream alternative.
People are choosing non-dairy desserts now more than ever. Whether you are avoiding dairy for health reasons or just want to stop consuming dairy altogether, this July may be the ice cream month to switch to dairy-free alternatives.
