Delicious Low-Carb Ice Cream: Healthy, Happy, And Tasty!

There are a variety of low-carb ice cream options available in the market. These include Rebel Ice Cream, Halo Top, Edy's, Enlightened, So Delicious, and Arctic Zero. These ice creams are made with sugar substitutes and are suitable for people on a ketogenic diet.

Low-carb ice cream brands

There are many low-carb ice cream brands on the market, which is good news for those who want to indulge in a sweet treat without going off their diet plans. These ice creams are usually low in calories and sugar and high in fibre and protein. They are also usually sweetened with natural sweeteners such as stevia, allulose, and monk fruit, which do not impact blood glucose or insulin levels.

Enlightened Ice Cream

Enlightened Ice Cream uses skim milk and monk fruit extract and sugar alcohols to sweeten their ice cream, resulting in some recipes having as few as four net carbs per serving. Their ice cream has interesting flavours like triple berry cobbler, lemon meringue pie, and marshmallow peanut butter. Their red velvet flavour has 70 calories per ½ cup serving and 15 total grams of carbs, 5 of which are fibre.

So Delicious Dairy-Free Ice Cream

So Delicious Dairy-Free Ice Cream offers a multitude of non-dairy ice creams using coconut milk, soy milk, oat milk, cashew milk, and almond milk. Their pints are creamy and tasty, and some have no added sugars, just a little monk fruit extract for sweetness. They have classic flavours like cookie dough and mint chip, as well as interesting combos like peanut butter and raspberry and caramel apple crumble. Their Chocolate Coconutmilk flavour has 100 calories per ½ cup serving and 16 total grams of carbs, 9 of which are fibre.

Halo Top Creamery Ice Cream

Halo Top Creamery Ice Cream uses stevia instead of sugar for sweetness and skim or non-dairy milk as the base. Some of their best and boldest flavours include oatmeal cookie, birthday cake, black cherry, mochi green tea, toasted coconut, and cinnamon roll. Their chocolate flavour has 80 calories per ½ cup serving and 13 total grams of carbs, 2 of which are fibre.

Rebel Creamery Ice Cream

Rebel Creamery Ice Cream is a keto-friendly ice cream that is low-carb, high-fat, and contains no added sugars. They rely on cream and sugar alcohols to achieve their taste, which results in a net carb range between five and eight grams. Their flavours include classics like strawberry, mint chip, cookie dough, vanilla, and chocolate. Their cookie dough flavour has 170 calories per ½ cup serving and 14 total grams of carbs, 3 of which are fibre.

Arctic Zero Low-Carb Ice Cream

Arctic Zero Low-Carb Ice Cream makes tasty “light ice creams” with real milk and cane sugar, but they also have non-dairy ice creams and dairy-free bars. Fun flavours include cookies 'n' cream, toffee crunch, chocolate chunk, peanut butter and cookies, cookie shake, and salted caramel. Their non-dairy chocolate peanut butter flavour has 45 calories per ½ cup serving and 9 total grams of carbs, 4 of which are fibre.

Keto Pint Ice Cream

Keto Pint Ice Cream is a keto-friendly, low-carb ice cream made with cream, whole milk, and no added sugar. Their ice cream has a thick, rich flavour and averages just three grams of net carbs per serving. They have five classic flavours: peanut butter cup, chocolate, mint chip, coffee, and sea salt caramel. Their mint chip flavour has 160 calories per ½ cup serving and 8 total grams of carbs, 2 of which are fibre.

Natural sweeteners

Sugar alcohols like erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol, and lactitol are often used in low-carb ice creams. These natural sweeteners are derived from plants and berries and are much sweeter than regular sugar. Monk fruit, a zero-calorie sweetener, is also a popular choice.

However, some people may experience digestive issues with sugar alcohols, so natural sweeteners like stevia, allulose, and monk fruit are a better option for them. These natural sweeteners don't seem to impact blood glucose or insulin levels and keep the ice cream tasting sweet.

Allulose, in particular, is an excellent choice for a creamy texture. It is a rare sugar that is not metabolized, making it zero-carb and preventing recrystallization, which keeps the ice cream soft.

For those sensitive to artificial sweeteners, natural sweeteners are a safer option. However, it's important to note that even natural sweeteners can have downsides when consumed in large amounts, so it's best to enjoy low-carb ice cream in moderation.

Dairy-free options

Dairy-free ice cream options are typically made with coconut milk or coconut cream.

So Delicious Dairy-Free is a brand that offers a range of dairy-free ice cream options, including Butter Pecan and Mint Chip Coconutmilk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert. However, some people may not enjoy the taste and texture of this brand.

You can also make your own dairy-free ice cream at home. A basic recipe includes blending full-fat canned coconut milk, natural almond butter, vanilla extract, and a sweetener of your choice. This mixture is then chilled, churned in an ice cream maker, and frozen.

Ingredients:

• 1 can coconut cream (13.5 ounces)
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup monk fruit and allulose sweetener or inulin sweetener blend
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Whisk together the coconut cream, cocoa, and sweetener in a medium saucepan and heat until combined.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks.
• Slowly stream about 1/3 to 1/2 of the heated cocoa mixture into the yolks while whisking.
• Return the egg mixture to the pot and continue heating until thickened.
• Stir in the vanilla extract.
• Cool the mixture in an ice bath.
• Process the cooled mixture in an ice cream machine according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Other dairy-free keto ice cream brands include Nubocha (a dairy-free gelato brand) and Mammoth Creameries' frozen custard.

Sugar substitutes

• Stevia
• Allulose
• Monk fruit
• Erythritol
• Xylitol
• Sorbitol
• Sucralose
• Acesulfame potassium
• Sugar alcohols

These sugar substitutes are often combined to achieve the desired level of sweetness without impacting blood glucose or insulin levels. For example, the brand Enlightened uses a blend of erythritol, allulose, monk fruit, and stevia in some of its ice cream products.

It is important to note that sugar substitutes may have their own downsides, such as digestive issues like gas or bloating when consumed in large amounts. Additionally, some people may be sensitive to certain artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols and experience allergic reactions or discomfort.

When choosing a low-carb ice cream, it is recommended to consider the nutritional profile, texture, flavor, and ingredient quality. The right choice will depend on individual dietary goals and preferences.

Nutritional value

Lower Carb Content:

Low-carb ice creams typically have fewer than 15 grams of total carbs per serving, with some brands offering as little as 3 grams of net carbs. This is a significant reduction compared to regular ice cream, which can contain up to 30 grams of sugar per serving.

Sweeteners and Sugar Substitutes:

To reduce carbohydrates, low-carb ice creams often use natural sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, or sugar substitutes. Stevia is derived from plant leaves, while monk fruit comes from a small round fruit native to China. These natural sweeteners provide a similar level of sweetness without the same impact on blood sugar.

Sugar Alcohols:

Sugar alcohols, such as erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and maltitol, are commonly used in low-carb ice creams. These sweeteners have about half the calories of sugar and are often found in "sugar-free" or "no sugar added" products. However, some people may find that sugar alcohols cause digestive issues like bloating and constipation.

Fat Content:

To compensate for the reduction in carbohydrates, many low-carb ice creams have higher fat content. This can make them quite calorie-dense, with some brands offering over 200 calories per serving. The type of fat is also important, as a low-carb diet high in saturated fat may have negative health outcomes.

Protein Content:

Some low-carb ice creams have a higher protein content, which can help with satiety and muscle maintenance. Halo Top, for example, is known for offering ice cream that is higher in protein than its competitors.

Fiber Content:

Low-carb ice creams may also contain added fiber, which can help regulate blood sugar and digestion. However, certain types of fiber, like inulin, may cause digestive issues for some individuals.

Impact on Blood Sugar:

The primary benefit of low-carb ice cream is its minimal impact on blood sugar and insulin levels. This makes it a suitable option for people with diabetes or those following a ketogenic diet. However, it's important to note that the impact can vary from person to person.

Flavor and Texture:

While flavor and texture may not seem like nutritional considerations, they are essential to the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of an ice cream. Some low-carb ice creams have been criticized for having a dry, chalky, or odd consistency. However, brands like Rebel and Enlightened have received positive reviews for their creamy textures and generous mix-ins.

In conclusion, low-carb ice cream offers a range of nutritional benefits, especially for those managing their carbohydrate or sugar intake. However, it's important to read labels carefully, consider the type of sweeteners and fats used, and be mindful of potential digestive issues associated with certain ingredients.

Frequently asked questions