Are you a fan of Sonic’s Frozen Favorites® treats, but concerned about the ingredients in your favorite ice cream?
You’re not alone. With the recent trend towards healthier eating, many people are looking for ways to reduce their intake of high fructose corn syrup and other artificial ingredients.
Sonic has responded to this demand by making changes to their ice cream toppings and introducing Real Ice Cream. But does this new product contain high fructose corn syrup?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Sonic’s ice cream ingredients and help you make an informed decision about what to order on your next visit.
Does Sonic Ice Cream Have High Fructose Corn Syrup?
The short answer is no, Sonic’s Real Ice Cream does not contain high fructose corn syrup. In fact, as part of their quality improvements, Sonic has been phasing out or reducing high fructose corn syrup in their ice cream toppings and replacing it with more natural components.
According to Sonic’s website, their Real Ice Cream is made with “real milk, cream and sugar” and is “free of major allergens.” This means that not only is it free of high fructose corn syrup, but it also does not contain any artificial flavors or colors.
It’s important to note that while Sonic’s Real Ice Cream is a step in the right direction towards healthier ingredients, it still contains a significant amount of calories, fat, and sugar. A regular vanilla shake made with Real Ice Cream contains 461 calories and 49 grams of sugar.
If you’re looking for a healthier option at Sonic, they do offer smaller portions in their Jr. Candy Sundae and Vanilla Cone. Additionally, they have a variety of drink options that are free of high fructose corn syrup, such as their Strawberry Lemonade and Cherry Limeade.
The History Of Sonic’s Frozen Favorites® Treats
Sonic’s Frozen Favorites® treats have been a staple on their menu for years. From shakes to sundaes to blasts, these frozen desserts have been a popular choice for customers looking to cool off during the summer months.
In recent years, Sonic has made efforts to improve the quality of their Frozen Favorites® treats. One of the biggest changes they’ve made is the introduction of Real Ice Cream. This new product contains more milk and butterfat than their previous soft serve, making it even creamier and more indulgent.
Sonic has also made changes to the toppings used in their Frozen Favorites® treats. They have removed or reduced high fructose corn syrup in many of their toppings, including chocolate, hot fudge, caramel, and pineapple. These quality improvements reflect Sonic’s commitment to using more natural ingredients in their products.
To celebrate the launch of Real Ice Cream and their improved toppings, Sonic has introduced several promotions. They are offering a Buy One Shake, Get Another Shake Free Anytime promotion from May 17 to June 27. Customers can also enjoy 99-cent Real Ice Cream single topping sundaes after 8 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Understanding High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a liquid sweetener made from cornstarch. It is made by breaking down corn into molecules of glucose, a type of sugar. Half of the glucose molecules are then chemically changed into fructose, another type of sugar which is sweeter than glucose.
HFCS is commonly used in packaged foods and beverages because it is cheap and provides sweetness that is equal to sucrose. However, diets rich in HFCS have been linked to various health concerns such as fatty liver, high triglycerides, insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Consuming fewer foods and beverages with HFCS may decrease liver fat and lower triglyceride levels.
While high fructose corn syrup isn’t all that different from sugar, it contains more fructose than regular sugar. Regular sugar is 50% fructose and 50% glucose, while the two most common forms of HFCS contain either 42% or 55% fructose. Studies have shown that consuming too much fructose can lead to obesity, liver problems, high triglycerides, increased uric acid production, and type 2 diabetes.
In recent years, many companies have been phasing out or reducing the use of high fructose corn syrup in their products. Sonic’s Real Ice Cream is an example of this trend as it does not contain any high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors or colors. However, it’s important to note that while Real Ice Cream is a step towards healthier ingredients, it still contains a significant amount of calories, fat, and sugar.
Sonic’s Response To Consumer Demand
Sonic has been responsive to consumer demand for healthier ingredients in their ice cream products. As part of their efforts to improve the quality of their frozen treats, Sonic has made changes to their ice cream toppings by removing or reducing high fructose corn syrup and replacing it with less-processed sugar. They have also introduced Real Ice Cream, which contains more milk and butterfat than their previous soft serve product.
According to Dominic Losacco, Vice President of Marketing for Sonic, the company felt it was necessary to make changes to their ice cream offerings in response to customer feedback. While Sonic’s previous soft serve product was already popular among customers, they recognized the need to adapt their menu to appeal to changing tastes and preferences.
Sonic’s Real Ice Cream is dispensed from a machine, rather than being hand-scooped like other ice creams. This allows for a consistent and creamy texture that customers have come to expect from Sonic’s frozen treats.
In addition to improving the quality of their ice cream products, Sonic is also working to offer more choices for health-conscious consumers. They have introduced smaller portions in some of their menu items, and offer a variety of drink options that are free of high fructose corn syrup.
Real Ice Cream: What’s In It?
Sonic’s Real Ice Cream is made with real milk, cream, and sugar. The new product contains more milk and butterfat, which makes it creamier and more indulgent than their previous soft serve. As part of their quality improvements, Sonic has removed or reduced high fructose corn syrup from their ice cream toppings, including hot fudge and caramel sauce, and replaced it with less-processed sugar.
The ingredients in Sonic’s Real Ice Cream are free of major allergens, which means that it does not contain any artificial flavors or colors. However, it is important to note that the Real Ice Cream still contains a significant amount of calories, fat, and sugar. For example, a regular vanilla shake made with Real Ice Cream contains 461 calories and 49 grams of sugar.
Comparing Real Ice Cream To Sonic’s Traditional Ice Cream
Sonic’s traditional ice cream, which was previously used in their frozen desserts, did contain high fructose corn syrup. This was one of the reasons why Sonic decided to improve the quality of their frozen desserts and switch to Real Ice Cream.
The traditional ice cream also had a lower milk fat content, which meant it could not legally be called “ice cream” and was instead referred to as “soft serve.” Real Ice Cream, on the other hand, has a milk fat content of at least 10%, making it a true ice cream.
The switch to Real Ice Cream has resulted in a creamier and more indulgent product, according to Dominic Losacco, vice president of marketing for Sonic. The new ice cream is also free of major allergens and artificial flavors/colors.
In terms of taste and texture, customers have reported that Real Ice Cream is a significant improvement over the previous soft serve. However, it’s important to note that Real Ice Cream is still a high-calorie and high-sugar treat.
Other Ingredient Considerations For Sonic’s Frozen Treats
Aside from high fructose corn syrup, there are other ingredient considerations to keep in mind when it comes to Sonic’s frozen treats. For those with dietary restrictions or preferences, Sonic offers non-dairy options such as their Arctic Rush Non-Dairy Swirl made with coconut milk, as well as the Mocha Cappuccino Blast Freeze and Lite Fruit Slush also made with coconut milk.
It’s important to note that while these non-dairy options may be suitable for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan, they may still contain other allergens such as tree nuts or soy. Guests should always check with their local Sonic store or consult the allergen information on Sonic’s website before ordering.
For those with gluten sensitivities, Sonic offers a variety of slushes and ice cream treats that do not contain wheat or gluten ingredients. However, guests should be aware that these items may still be prepared in a kitchen that also handles wheat and gluten-containing ingredients.
Finally, it’s worth noting that while Sonic has made efforts to improve the quality of their ice cream toppings by phasing out high fructose corn syrup, some of their other menu items may still contain genetically engineered ingredients such as corn syrup, sugars, and citric acid. Guests who are concerned about consuming genetically engineered ingredients should consult the ingredient information on Sonic’s website or inquire with their local store.
