I Tried Instagram’s Favorite ‘Healthy’ Cookie Dough, Deux—Here’s What an RD Has To Say About It
The three flavors I tried were: Xxtra Chocolate Chip Deux, a collab with Not Skinny But Not Fat that features biotin and vitamin B12; Brownie Batter Deux with aloe vera and vitamin C for a collagen boost; and Birthday Cake Deux with ashwagandha for stress relief—all furthering my intrigue. I sampled each flavor on its own and baked a few spoonfuls according to the instructions. (FYI: I like my cookies pretty gooey, but noted that they still needed a few extra minutes in the oven).
Surprisingly, I liked the cookies as much or more than the actual dough. Brownie Batter was a curveball favorite for its texture and perfect amount of sweetness, but the other two varieties were pretty tasty as well—that is, if you’re already accustomed to experimenting with vegan and/or gluten-free baking.
However, I had to wonder if Deux products were actually doing me any more good aside from giving me a nice serotonin boost with less sugar and a shorter ingredient list. I sought the advice from Kylie Ivanir, MS, RD, a gut health expert and nutrition and wellness expert.
A dietitian's take on Deux cookie dough
“Deux’s cookie dough has some interesting flavors that I am sure taste as delicious as they sound, and I was happy to discover the products have some health benefits, too,” Ivanir says. “I specifically like that they are preservative-, additive-, and chemical-free, and that they incorporate nutritional ingredients such as organic oat flour, cashew butter, and flaxseed to add fiber and protein to each serving. Two grams of fiber and two grams of protein per serving is definitely a bonus for a cookie dough treat.”
However, Ivanir says that the sugar content is pretty high for a 1 1/2 tablespoon serving... and that the ingredients list may be misleading to some who don’t realize that the sugar is broken up and listed under maple syrup, organic cane sugar, and coconut sugar. She notes this likely makes sugar the main ingredient in the dough—but if you see this as a healthy-ish treat versus a nourishing snack, that’s okay.
I also had to know if the birthday cake-flavored cookie dough with ashwagandha would really chill me out and if eating brownie batter would help make my skin more supple. Ivanir says that when vitamins and minerals are added to foods where they are not naturally found, such as cookie dough, they are most often supplemented in synthetic form, making them less bioavailable for your body to absorb. Therefore, she advised me not to rely on chocolate chip cookie dough (even vegan, gluten-free, and organic kinds) as part of my daily supplement regimen.
“Overall, I probably wouldn’t use Deux as a pantry staple—and certainly not a supplement—but more as an occasional tasty treat,” Ivanir says. “And I would certainly recommend picking it up over a box of conventional cookie dough if you're looking for something with less sugar, fewer processed ingredients, and/or a product that can satisfy certain dietary restrictions.”
So, it looks like my new Deux fixation is totally fine, so long as I don’t put a health halo on an edible jar of cookie dough. As with everything, it’s all about diversifying our diets and finding balance and joy, and I plan to savor my jars for feel-good sweet treats that actually fit all my friends’ dietary restrictions.
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