Chocolate And Plant-Based Diets: What's The Verdict?

Chocolate is made from cacao beans, which are grown on cacao trees. This means that chocolate is inherently plant-based. However, when it comes to whether chocolate is compatible with a plant-based diet, the answer is a bit more complicated. This is because, in addition to cacao, chocolate often contains other ingredients such as milk and sugar, which are not plant-based. So, can chocolate be part of a plant-based diet?

Dark chocolate is plant-based

Dark chocolate is usually vegan as it doesn't contain dairy or other animal products. However, some dark chocolate brands do add milk, milk fat, or whole milk powder. To ensure that your chocolate is plant-based, check the label for non-vegan ingredients such as skimmed milk powder, milk fat, whole milk powder, white chocolate, milk solids, animal products, and whey powder.

Most dark chocolates are made from somewhere between 55-80% cacao, and generally, the more cacao, the fewer fillers. If the chocolate is around 70% cacao, then you know you are dealing with a great high-quality dark chocolate. But really, anything over 50% is considered good.

Quality dark chocolate, made with as few ingredients as possible, is a great option for a plant-based snack. It contains less sugar than other types of chocolate.

Vegan chocolate is plant-based

Chocolate is made from the cacao plant and is naturally plant-based. However, not all chocolate is vegan.

Vegan chocolate is made without any animal products, such as milk, cream, or honey. It is also made without any animal by-products, such as whey, lactose, or casein.

Dark chocolate is the most reliable vegan-friendly option as it is made from cocoa solids, cocoa butter, and a hint of sugar—all of which come from plants. However, some brands do add milk products or other additives to dark chocolate to make it silkier, so it is always important to check the label.

White chocolate is not considered vegan-friendly because it typically contains cocoa butter, sugar, and plenty of milk.

Milk chocolate is also not suitable for vegans as it must contain at least 25% cocoa and 14% milk-derived substances.

Some specialty brands offer vegan or dairy-free milk chocolates made with plant-based milk like almond, soy, or oat milk.

Vegan chocolate can also be made with alternative sweeteners such as coconut sugar, agave syrup, or maple syrup.

Plant-based chocolate brands

Chocolate is made from the cacao plant and is naturally plant-based. However, it is often mixed with other ingredients, such as milk and sugar, which are not plant-based. Quality dark chocolate, made with as few ingredients as possible, is a great plant-based snack option.

Rayluca Chocolate creates 100% vegan chocolate that is handmade, gluten-free, soy-free, and refined sugar-free. Their products are sweetened with coconut sugar and infused with probiotics, offering the same delicious chocolate flavor without compromising on health.

Hu Kitchen specializes in vegan chocolate bars made with minimal, high-quality ingredients. They use organic cacao and sweeten their bars with unrefined coconut sugar.

Alter Eco focuses on fair trade and sustainable practices while producing vegan chocolate bars with a variety of organic and non-GMO ingredients.

Go Max Go Foods creates vegan chocolate bars that mimic popular non-vegan candy bars. Their products are dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan-friendly, ensuring that those with a sweet tooth can enjoy their favorite treats while adhering to a plant-based diet.

Raaka Chocolate produces unique, artisanal vegan chocolate bars using unroasted cacao and incorporating various flavor combinations, making their products stand out from traditional chocolate offerings.

In addition to these specialty brands, some large chocolate manufacturers have also begun offering plant-based options. Hershey's, for example, has introduced plant-based peanut butter cups and almond and sea salt chocolate bars. Reese's, another well-known brand, now offers plant-based oat chocolate and peanut butter cups.

These options provide plant-based alternatives to traditional chocolate, ensuring that those following a plant-based diet can still indulge in their sweet cravings without compromising their dietary preferences.

Is milk chocolate plant-based?

Chocolate is made from the cacao plant and is naturally plant-based. However, when it comes to milk chocolate, the answer is a little more complicated.

A plant-based diet is based on the idea of increasing plant-based foods in our daily intake. This includes fruit and vegetables, as well as nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. On a plant-based diet, dairy and meat are allowed, but in smaller quantities. Sugar and desserts are also discouraged, as are processed foods.

Milk chocolate contains a blend of cocoa solids, milk, and sugar. To be called milk chocolate, the product must contain at least 25% cocoa and 14% milk-derived substances. This rules it out as an option for those on a strict plant-based diet, or for vegans. However, some specialty brands now offer vegan or dairy-free milk chocolates made with plant-based milk like almond, soy, or oat milk.

How to know if chocolate is plant-based

To ensure that chocolate is compatible with a plant-based diet, look for dark chocolate or chocolate labelled "vegan". Dark chocolate is made from cocoa butter and sugar, without milk or other animal products. It's always a good idea to check the ingredients list and look for certifications such as "vegan" or "dairy-free" on the packaging.

Is white chocolate plant-based?

Chocolate is made from the cacao plant and is naturally plant-based. However, when it comes to white chocolate, there is some debate.

White chocolate is made from cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids. It does not contain cocoa solids, which are the dark, cocoa bean-derived components found in dark and milk chocolate that give chocolate its characteristic flavour. Instead, white chocolate is milder, with a sweet, creamy, vanilla-like flavour.

Some consider white chocolate to be a "chocolate" confection alternative, rather than chocolate itself. This is because, legally, chocolate is meant to contain cocoa solids (cocoa powder). White chocolate, therefore, does not technically meet the definition of chocolate.

However, white chocolate does contain cacao butter, which is derived from the cocoa bean. Cacao butter is 100% plant-based, despite having "butter" in its name.

It is also possible to make vegan white chocolate by substituting plant-based milk for milk solids. This can be done at home, or some specialty brands offer vegan white chocolate.

So, while white chocolate does contain plant-based ingredients, it is debatable whether it can be considered truly plant-based due to the absence of cocoa solids.

Frequently asked questions