Is Oatmilk Holiday Nog Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, the first thing I do when analyzing a product like Oatmilk Holiday Nog is look at the base. The primary ingredient is oatmilk (water, oats). This is inherently plant-based and provides that creamy texture we associate with holiday drinks. It is an excellent base for a vegan product.

The controversy lies in the sugar. In the United States, a significant portion of refined white sugar is processed using bone char (charred animal bones) to filter and bleach it. While the sugar itself contains no bone particles, the processing method renders it non-vegan in the eyes of many strict ethical vegans. Unless the brand explicitly states that they use organic, unrefined, or beet sugar (which is not processed with bone char), this ingredient is a major red flag.

Looking at the rest of the list, the oils and thickeners are all plant-derived. High oleic sunflower oil provides fat, while gellan gum and xanthan gum act as stabilizers to prevent separation. The color comes from turmeric and annatto, both plant-based pigments. The vitamins, including vitamin d2 and vitamin b12, are synthesized from plant sources (like yeast or mushrooms), making them vegan-friendly.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Oatmilk Holiday Nog is designed as a treat, not a health food. It is calorie-dense, largely due to the combination of sugar and high oleic sunflower oil. A single serving typically contains a significant amount of added sugar, which can spike blood glucose levels.

However, it is fortified with essential nutrients. The addition of calcium carbonate and tricalcium phosphate mimics the calcium content of dairy milk, which is beneficial for bone health. The vitamin fortification (A, B2, D2, B12) is excellent for those on a plant-based diet who might otherwise struggle to get these nutrients. It fits well into a diet looking for a dairy-free indulgence, but it should be consumed in moderation due to the sugar and fat content.