With the growing popularity of veganism, there has been a lot of confusion surrounding Nutella and whether or not it is vegan.
This article will clear up any confusion and help you make an informed decision about whether or not to include Nutella in your vegan diet.
Is Nutella vegan?
No, Nutella is not vegan. Nutella contains hazelnuts, sugar, palm oil, cocoa powder, lecithin, skim milk powder, and vanillin flavoring.
Lecithin is typically made either with egg or soy. Although they use soy-based lecithin in Nutella, the skim milk powder is what makes ferrero Nutella non-vegan. This milk powder is added to create that smooth, creamy texture that we all know and love.
How is Nutella made?
The hazelnuts and sugar are ground into a paste and then mixed with cocoa. The cocoa is what gives Nutella its unique flavor. Once the hazelnut paste, sugar, and cocoa are combined, they are roasted to bring out the flavors.
After roasting, the hazelnut paste is cooled and mixed with milk powder, palm oil, and lecithin.
The palm oil gives Nutella its smooth texture. The lecithin is used as an emulsifier to keep the Nutella from separating. The vanillin is added for flavor. Nutella is then cooled and packaged.
Ingredients:
According to Ferrero’s website [1]Ferrero: INGREDIENTS, these are the ingredients in a jar of Nutella:
Hazelnuts (13%)
Skimmed milk powder (8.7%)
Cocoa powder (7.4%)
Soy lecithins
Sugar
Palm oil
Vanillin
A brief history of Nutella
Nutella [2]Nutella: History was first created in the 1920s by Italian chef Pietro Ferrero. He originally sold it in a loaf form under the name giandujot, a reference to the traditional Italian chocolate hazelnut spread known as gianduja.
Later, in 1951, Ferrero’s son Michele created a version of giandujot that was easier to spread. He named it Supercrema, and it quickly became a hit in Italy. In 1964, the name was changed to Nutella.
In 1965, they started selling Nutella in its now-iconic jars.
Vegan alternatives to Nutella
Several vegan chocolate hazelnut spreads on the market make great alternatives to Nutella. Almost all hazelnut spreads add cocoa and dark chocolate to give it that signature flavor.
According to a study [3]National Library of Medicine: Cocoa and Dark Chocolate Polyphenols: From Biology to Clinical Applications on cocoa and dark chocolate, these two ingredients have health benefits, like reducing the risk of cardiovascular, neurological, and intestinal diseases. Thus, instead of skipping Nutella on a vegan diet, you can try vegan alternatives.
Here is a list of the best vegan Nutella alternatives
1. Artisana Organics Hazelnut Cacao Spread
This vegan chocolate hazelnut spread is made with hazelnuts, cacao powder, vanilla extract, coconut sugar, and coconut oil.
2. Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut And Almond Butter
This chocolate hazelnut butter is made with roasted hazelnuts, almonds, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, organic powdered sugar, palm oil, and sea salt. It tastes just like Nutella but without dairy.
3. Rigoni Di Asiago Organic Nocciolata Dairy Free Spread
This dairy-free chocolate hazelnut spread is made with hazelnut paste, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, sunflower oil, sunflower lecithin, vanilla extract, and cane sugar. This is a great option for individuals on a vegan diet and lactose-intolerant.
4. Nutiva Vegan Hazelnut Spread
There are no dairy products or other animal-derived ingredients in this product. Additionally, Nutiva’s vegan hazelnut spread contains 40% less sugar than the other leading brands.
5. Peanut Butter And Co. Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
This is another version of vegan hazelnut spread that you can find in some stores. It is made with cocoa, sugar, palm oil, and salt. This spread is rich in protein. It can be used as a dip and spread.
Nutritional value of hazelnut
Since Nutella and its alternatives are primarily made with hazelnuts, it is important to know the nutritional value of hazelnuts. Hazelnuts are a good source of protein, fat, fiber, calcium, and iron. According to USDA, [4]U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: HAZELNUT BUTTER 100 grams of hazelnuts contains the following:
Calories: 571 kcal
Protein: 17.86g
Lipid (fat): 50g
Carbohydrates: 28.57g
Fiber: 3.6 g
Iron: 5.14 mg
Calcium: 71 mg
The Bottom Line
While is Nutella not vegan, there are plenty of delicious vegan hazelnut spreads on the market that make great substitutes.
The best way to enjoy a hazelnut spread without any guilt is to make your own at home. That way, you can control the ingredients and make sure that everything is vegan.
However, read the ingredients list carefully if you want to buy a commercial vegan chocolate spread.
Vegan and vegetarian diets restrict animal product consumption. However, the former is the strictest. It excludes all animal products, including eggs, meat, and dairy products, as compared to a vegetarian diet in which you can have dairy products.
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