Is Eggnog Ultra Processed?
Not Typically Ultra-Processed
Eggnog is Level 3 — highly processed in its commercial form. While traditional homemade eggnog is a simple mixture of milk, cream, eggs, sugar, and spices (Level 2), store-bought versions add thickeners like carrageenan and guar gum, corn syrup, natural and artificial flavors, and preservatives.
Key Findings
- •Traditional eggnog requires just 5 ingredients: milk, cream, eggs, sugar, and nutmeg — no stabilizers needed
- •Commercial eggnog relies on carrageenan, guar gum, and emulsifiers to survive weeks of shelf life without separating
- •Some brands use corn syrup alongside or instead of sugar to reduce cost and improve texture consistency
Why Is Eggnog Level 3?
Homemade eggnog dates back centuries: whisk eggs and sugar, add cream and milk, spike with spirits if desired, and dust with nutmeg. It is a 5-ingredient recipe. Commercial eggnog must survive weeks of refrigerated shelf life and maintain consistent texture despite being manufactured in large batches months ahead of the holiday season. This requires carrageenan and guar gum (to maintain thickness without separation), corn syrup (cheaper than sugar and improves mouthfeel), natural flavors (to standardize the nutmeg and vanilla character batch to batch), and polysorbate 80 or mono/diglycerides (emulsifiers to keep the fat from separating). Some brands also add annatto color to achieve a consistent golden-yellow appearance regardless of egg yolk variation.
Eggnog Processing Level Distribution
How 996 eggnog products break down by processing level:
Average ingredient count: 14.5 · Average nutrition score: 3.4/10
Eggnog Brand Comparison
Comparing the least to most processed eggnog products in our database:
| Product | Brand | Level | Score | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggnog | Straus Family Creamery | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 3.0 | 4 |
| Eggnog | Straus Family Creamery | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 3.0 | 4 |
| Eggnog | Straus Family Creamery | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 3.0 | 4 |
| Ice Chips, Egg Nog Candy | Ice Chips | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 3.5 | 4 |
| Cinnamon Eggnog Holiday Premium Cold Brew Coffee, Cinnamon Eggnog | Limited Time Originals | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 3.5 | 4 |
| Cinnamon Eggnog Holiday Premium Cold Brew Coffee, Cinnamon Eggnog | Limited Time Originals | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 3.5 | 4 |
| Ice Chips, Egg Nog Candy | Ice Chips | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 3.5 | 4 |
| Ice Chips, Egg Nog Candy | Ice Chips | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 3.5 | 4 |
| Cinnamon Eggnog Holiday Premium Cold Brew Coffee, Cinnamon Eggnog | Limited Time Originals | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 3.5 | 4 |
| Cinnamon Eggnog Holiday Premium Cold Brew Coffee, Cinnamon Eggnog | Limited Time Originals | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 3.5 | 4 |
How to Read Eggnog Labels
- 1
Homemade eggnog (milk, cream, eggs, sugar, nutmeg) is Level 2 — the simplest option
- 2
Look for brands listing milk and cream before corn syrup or sugar in the ingredient list
- 3
Carrageenan and guar gum are thickeners that commercial eggnog uses to prevent separation
- 4
Annatto or turmeric color means the yellow hue is standardized artificially rather than coming from egg yolks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is store-bought eggnog ultra-processed?
Most store-bought eggnog is Level 3 — highly processed but not ultra-processed. It contains milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and spices, but adds thickeners (carrageenan, guar gum), corn syrup, and natural flavors for shelf stability.
Is homemade eggnog less processed?
Yes, significantly. Homemade eggnog with milk, cream, eggs, sugar, and nutmeg is Level 2 — a simple mixture with no stabilizers or preservatives. It should be consumed within 2-3 days.
What about non-dairy eggnog?
Non-dairy eggnog alternatives (oat, almond, coconut-based) are typically Level 3-4. They require additional emulsifiers, thickeners, and flavorings to approximate the creamy texture and flavor of dairy-based eggnog.