Keto Ice Cream: Who's Selling And Where To Find It?

There are several keto ice cream brands available on the market, including Enlightened, Halo Top, Rebel, Edy's, So Delicious, and Keto Foods. These ice creams are made with sugar substitutes and low-carb ingredients, such as plant fibers, sugar alcohols, and ultra-filtered milk, to make them suitable for a keto diet. While some people prefer to make their own keto ice cream at home, store-bought options offer convenience and a variety of flavours.

Where to buy keto ice cream

There are a number of keto ice cream brands available to buy both in-store and online.

In-store

Keto ice cream can be purchased in-store from major grocery stores, including Kroger, and Whole Foods.

Online

Keto ice cream can also be purchased online from the following websites:

• Rebel Creamery
• Enlightened
• Halo Top
• KETO Foods
• Breyer’s Carb Smart

How to make keto ice cream at home

Ingredients:

• Heavy cream or full-fat coconut cream
• Sweetener (powdered allulose, erythritol, xylitol, or monk fruit)
• Xanthan gum (optional)
• Vanilla extract (optional)

Method:

Step 1: Make the mixture

In a deep jar, add all the ingredients and gently mix. Using an immersion or stick mixer, blend the mixture until it has thickened and soft peaks form.

Step 2: Freeze it up

Cover the jar and place it in the freezer for at least 4 hours, stirring every 30-40 minutes to ensure it doesn’t ice up.

Step 3: Serve

Scoop it out and serve immediately.

Tips:

• If you want to make the ice cream dairy-free, swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut cream.
• Adding a stabilizer like xanthan gum will help prevent the ice cream from becoming icy or crystallizing.
• For the best results, stir the mixture every 30 minutes for the first couple of hours to ensure the ice cream is smooth and creamy.
• To serve, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before scooping.
• To store, place leftovers in a new container and keep in the freezer for up to 1 month.

The best keto ice cream brands

The ketogenic (keto) diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. As such, ice cream doesn't usually make the list of foods to choose from. However, several ice cream makers have created keto-friendly varieties to help you stay in ketosis.

Halo Top

Halo Top's Keto Series may be the best choice for ice cream to keep carbs low. One serving (two-thirds of a cup) of Chocolate Caramel Lava Cake has 190 calories, 6 g of protein, 6 g of fiber, and 3 g of net carbs. This keto ice cream comes in a variety of flavors, in pints and pops, from Mint Chocolate Cookie to Banana Cream Pie. These options have about 4–10 grams of net carbs per pint, so you can enjoy them and stay in ketosis.

Edy's Slow Churned No Sugar Added

Edy's replaced sugar in its fan favorites, including Fudge Tracks, Vanilla Bean, Triple Chocolate, and Neapolitan. These options include sorbitol, maltitol syrup, and Splenda (sucralose). A two-thirds-cup serving of Vanilla Bean contains 130 calories and 14 g of net carbs.

Enlightened

Enlightened offers keto ice cream options, as well as low-calorie, non-keto options. The keto options contain 2–3 g net carbs for most flavors. The low-calorie options contain 7–12 g net carbs and 120–140 calories per two-thirds-cup serving.

So Delicious No Sugar Added (Dairy-Free)

So Delicious makes dairy-free ice cream from full-fat coconut milk. The No Sugar Added varieties have negligible amounts of sugar. These keto ice cream options are sweetened with a combination of the sugar alcohol erythritol and monk fruit extract. A serving (two-thirds of a cup) has 130–160 calories, 9–10 g of net carbs, and 2 g of protein.

Rebel

Rebel is an ice cream brand designed for people on the keto diet. Pints are made with cream, other high-fat ingredients, erythritol, and monk fruit. The main ingredient is cream, so a pint of Rebel is higher in fat and calories than the other brands. This option has negligible amounts of sugar, with just 4–8 g of net carbs per pint. Rebel also has less than 3 g of net carbs per two-thirds-cup serving.

Other keto ice cream brands that have been mentioned include Arctic Zero, KETO Foods, and Breyer’s Carb Smart.

How to choose a keto-friendly ice cream

The ketogenic (keto) diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. While ice cream is not usually a keto-friendly treat, several ice cream makers have created keto-friendly varieties. These ice creams are made with sugar substitutes and are low in net carbs, allowing you to stay in ketosis.

Consider the total carbohydrates:

The keto diet requires a very low intake of total carbohydrates. When choosing a keto-friendly ice cream, look for options that are low in total carbs relative to your daily carbohydrate intake. Most keto-friendly ice creams will have between 10 and 20 grams of carbohydrates per serving.

Evaluate the type of fat:

The keto diet requires that the majority of calories come from fat. However, it's important to consider the type of fat for health reasons. Avoid ice creams with a high content of saturated fat and opt for varieties that are lower in saturated fat.

Check the type of fiber:

Many keto-friendly ice creams contain added fiber, which can influence taste and texture while keeping total carbohydrates low. However, some people may experience digestive issues with certain types of fiber, such as inulin, a prebiotic fiber. Be sure to check the ingredient list for the fiber source and choose one that agrees with your body.

Pay attention to sugar alcohols:

Sugar alcohols are commonly used in keto-friendly ice creams to achieve sweetness while keeping total carbohydrates and sugar low. However, some people may have issues with sugar alcohols. If you need to avoid them, look for ice creams made with alternative sugar substitutes like allulose, stevia, or monk fruit extract.

Be mindful of allergens:

Keto-friendly ice creams may contain common allergens like nuts, eggs, or dairy. If you have any allergies or sensitivities, carefully read the ingredient labels to ensure the product is safe for you.

Taste and texture:

While nutritional value is important, you also want your ice cream to taste good and have a pleasing texture. Look for ice creams that are creamy and have a mouthfeel you enjoy. Some keto ice creams can be crumbly or chalky, so choosing one with a texture you prefer is essential.

Variety of flavors:

If you like to have a range of flavor options, look for brands that offer a variety of flavors beyond the basics. Some brands offer fun and interesting flavors, while others focus on classic choices. Choose a brand that aligns with your flavor preferences.

Scoopability:

Some keto ice creams can be very hard straight out of the freezer, requiring time to soften before serving. If you prefer your ice cream ready to scoop and eat, look for brands that emphasize scoopability or provide instructions for softening the ice cream before serving.

Brand reputation and reviews:

Consider the reputation of the brand and read reviews from other keto dieters. Look for brands that are trusted by the keto community and have positive feedback regarding taste, texture, and effectiveness in maintaining ketosis.

Personal preferences:

Ultimately, choosing a keto-friendly ice cream comes down to your personal preferences. Consider your taste buds, dietary needs, and the overall enjoyment you get from the ice cream. You may need to experiment with different brands and flavors to find the one that checks all your boxes.

Remember, while keto-friendly ice creams can be a great treat, they are not low-calorie. The higher fat and calorie content may not be suitable for certain individuals, such as those following a calorie-restricted or low-fat diet. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, including the keto diet, to ensure it is right for your needs.

The difference between keto and regular ice cream

The ketogenic (keto) diet is high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. A single cup of regular ice cream contains about 37 grams of carbohydrates, which is almost the total amount of carbs a person can have in a day when following a keto diet. As such, keto ice cream is made with sugar substitutes, such as sugar alcohols (xylitol and erythritol), and natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit.

Keto ice cream is also higher in fat and calories than regular ice cream due to the addition of oil or other fat sources. For example, Rebel ice cream is made with cream and other high-fat ingredients, and has more calories per serving than regular ice cream.

Keto ice cream also has significantly more fibre than regular ice cream due to the addition of fibre additives that influence taste and texture while keeping total carbohydrates low. These additives include chicory root, guar gum, and acacia gum, which are derived from the chicory plant, guar beans, and the acacia tree, respectively.

Keto ice cream brands include Halo Top, Edy's, Enlightened, So Delicious, and Rebel.

Frequently asked questions