While many ice creams contain large amounts of sugar and carbohydrates, there are also keto-friendly versions that are lower in carbs while providing more fat than traditional varieties.
Keto ice cream typically utilizes low-cal, sugar-free alternatives like erythritol, chicory root extract and monk fruit extract as sweeteners; less dairy may also be included for reduced digestive upset.
1. It’s low in carbohydrates
The keto diet requires you to limit your carb intake, which includes ice cream. Though most brands contain sugar as the main ingredient, there are low-carb varieties available at stores made with alternative sweeteners like erythritol or stevia that do not contain carbohydrates – or you can make homemade varieties at home using these same ingredients, and enjoy an equally delectable experience!
Keto ice cream tends to be lower in calories due to using less dairy than traditional ice cream and, usually, using full fat milk instead of skim. As such, keto ice cream tends to be more filling and have higher fat contents compared to its traditional counterparts; be sure to read nutrition labels when shopping keto-style ice cream!
When searching for keto ice cream, look for one with no more than 50 grams of net carbohydrates per serving – this is because keto diet requires eating low amounts of carbs and more fat. There are a few brands such as Enlightened Creamery that provide low-carb ice cream options.
To create low carb ice cream, the following ingredients will be necessary.
Start with full-fat coconut milk and combine it with 1/4 cup (48 grams) of erythritol and one teaspoon (5 milliliters) of vanilla extract, before pouring the mix into an ice cube tray and freezing for several hours – this will create delicious keto ice cream that’s great for enjoying by itself or with delicious add-ins!
For a sweeter flavor, switch out erythritol with powdered monk fruit allulose for more subtle sweetness that doesn’t cause cooling effects like it sometimes does with erythritol. Or experiment with different sweeteners such as xylitol and maltitol until you find one you prefer!
2. It’s high in fat
Keto ice cream tends to contain more calories than regular ice cream due to its higher fat content. However, as it has fewer carbohydrates than its counterpart, keto ice cream can be an ideal way to maintain or lose weight, and help those on a low-carb diet avoid digestive issues.
Traditional ice cream contains many carbs from sugar, making them unsuitable for the keto diet. Keto ice creams use non-nutritive sweeteners such as stevia, monk fruit extract, vegetable glycerin and erythritol to replace this sugar content and thus lower their carb count while not altering blood sugar levels or contributing to tooth decay like traditional options do.
Whey protein concentrate is another key element in many keto ice creams, and makes the texture creamy and thick while also providing essential amino acids needed for muscle repair and growth. While suitable for vegans and vegetarians alike, this dessert may not suit those with dairy allergies or intolerances.
Only downside to this ice cream is the time required to freeze and scoop it, yet it makes an ideal treat for those searching for something low in carbs and calories.
Rebel Creamery is a small family-run business specializing in creating low-carb ice cream. Their creamy and delectable dessert comes in an assortment of flavors to keep their sugar intake down; their selection includes erythritol, xylitol, monk fruit extract and allulose as sugar substitutes; they also use vegetable glycerin as an added moisture and sweetness boost which does not cause tooth decay or alter blood glucose levels.
Though this ice cream may contain less carbs than traditional varieties, it still contains some in the form of pure cane sugar and natural sweeteners such as honey. Furthermore, its heavy cream base could potentially pose digestive difficulties for some individuals.
3. It’s low in sugar
Keto diets rely heavily on cutting back on carbs to remain in ketosis, so finding low-sugar and high-fat ice cream options are crucial to staying on course with your plan. Many ice cream brands now provide “keto friendly” pints that contain 8 grams or fewer net carbs per pint for even further ease.
Keto-friendly ice creams often combine sugar alternatives and natural sweeteners such as erythritol, stevia, monk fruit extract and vegetable glycerin to provide sweet taste while keeping carbohydrates to a minimum. Because these alternatives are processed differently by your body than regular sugar does, they won’t increase blood glucose levels and disrupt ketosis.
Some ice creams are fortified with additional fiber to aid digestion and increase the amount of “good” fiber calories in your diet. Unfortunately, certain ingredients used may have adverse reactions in some individuals; to ensure an enjoyable eating experience it’s essential to read labels carefully and choose an ice cream that uses only approved sweeteners and low-carbohydrate sources.
Keto ice creams not only limit your overall sugar and carb intake, but they also contain less sugar alcohols and no fructose (which contains harmful calories like fructan). Because fructose has been linked with obesity and heart disease, it’s wise to steer clear of foods containing added fructose.
Try So Delicious’ keto-friendly vanilla ice cream for an irresistibly tasty dairy-free treat without the high carb count of traditional ice cream! Each serving boasts 130 calories, 13 net carbs and 6 fat grams – and comes complete with coconut milk, almond butter, vanilla extract and erythritol to deliver that sweet taste without the high glycemic index score.
This indulgent frozen treat offers a velvety texture with lots of chocolate chunks to satisfy your sweet tooth! Vegan, soy free, low carb, gluten free and sugar free. With only four simple ingredients and no-churn method needed for assembly (no need for an ice cream maker!), all that remains to make this delightful frozen dessert is pouring the ingredients into a freezer-safe container and freezing until solidified.
4. It’s low in calories
The keto diet is an enjoyable high-fat, low-carb eating plan that many find satisfying and is an excellent way to lose weight and manage blood sugar. Unfortunately, traditional ice cream contains carbs which aren’t allowed on keto, but fear not ice cream lovers: there are still tasty keto ice cream options! They feature sweeteners with low glycemic index scores that provide similar taste and texture without adding carbs into their recipe.
These low-carb ice creams typically include milk combined with low-carb sweeteners such as erythritol, stevia or monk fruit extract for an alternative sweetness that’s lower cal. Many brands even offer fun chunks and swirls!
If you’re following a ketogenic diet, it is essential that any ice cream consumed be low in carbohydrates and high in fat to maintain ketosis and healthy body composition. This will allow your body to stay in a state of ketosis.
There are various brands of ice cream designed to be low in carbohydrates while high in fat content, made with ingredients such as coconut milk, erythritol and stevia; others may even incorporate egg whites to add an additional protein boost.
Halo Top’s Keto Series Ice Cream is one of the top choices for low-carb desserts, available both pints and pops with various flavors such as Mint Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Caramel Lava Cake and Banana Cream Pie. A single serving contains 4-10 grams of net carbs which makes this an excellent addition to a keto diet diet plan.
Enlightened Ice Cream offers another dairy-free, lower calorie count option, made with coconut milk and erythritol for maximum creaminess and smooth texture. Furthermore, Enlightened also offers several nut-free flavors suitable for those who suffer from allergies to nuts.
Make homemade keto ice cream easily at home by mixing together 2 cups (500 mL) of canned full fat coconut milk, 1/4 cup (48 grams) of erythritol, and one teaspoon (5 milliliters) of vanilla extract in an electric mixer until fully mixed. Pour this mixture into ice cube trays to freeze overnight, and when you’re ready to enjoy, just soften for several minutes before enjoying your treat!