Weight Watchers Ice Cream: Is It Keto-Friendly?

Weight Watchers is a popular weight loss program that doesn't require you to give up your favorite treats, including ice cream. While store-bought ice cream is an option, some people prefer to make their own at home. This article will explore the best Weight Watchers-friendly ice cream options, including store-bought treats and homemade recipes, and discuss whether indulging in these desserts can be part of a healthy weight loss journey.

Weight Watchers ice cream recipes

There are plenty of delicious ice cream recipes that are Weight Watchers-friendly. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Banana "Nice" Cream

This recipe is super easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients. The natural sweetness of bananas means no added sugar is needed, making this a healthy and tasty treat.

Ingredients:

• Ripe bananas (frozen)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Almond milk
• Vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Blend the bananas, almond milk, vanilla extract, and cocoa powder in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy.
• Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe dish and freeze for about an hour or until hardened.

Vegan Almond Milk & Cacao Ice Cream

A vegan take on chocolate ice cream, this recipe combines almond milk and cacao for a creamy and indulgent treat.

Banana Ice Cream Cones with Chocolate

A fun twist on the classic ice cream cone, this recipe uses banana ice cream as a base. Top it off with your favourite chocolate sauce and enjoy!

Vegan Mango & Stem Ginger Ice Cream

This refreshing and flavourful ice cream combines mango and stem ginger for a unique taste sensation.

Banana & Peanut Butter Ice Cream

A match made in heaven, this recipe combines bananas and peanut butter for a creamy and indulgent treat.

Roasted Strawberry & Pistachio "Nice" Cream

The perfect summer treat, this recipe features roasted strawberries and pistachios blended into a creamy "nice" cream.

Nectarine & Banana Ice Cream

A delicious combination of nectarine and banana, this ice cream is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Choc-Peanut "Ice Cream" Bowls

Indulge in this chocolate and peanut butter ice cream served in edible bowls for a fun and tasty dessert.

Other Tips and Tricks:

• You can also experiment with different toppings and mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, peanut butter, Cool Whip, low-fat graham crackers, fat-free whipped cream, fresh fruit, or nuts.
• If you're looking for a vanilla ice cream flavour, simply skip the cocoa powder in the banana ice cream recipe.
• For a thicker consistency, thinly slice your bananas and freeze them on a cookie sheet for 30 minutes before blending.

Store-bought low-calorie ice cream

There are many store-bought low-calorie ice cream options available. Here are some of the best options in no particular order:

Halo Top

Halo Top is a popular choice for those looking for a low-calorie ice cream option. It has a low-calorie count, a fairly simple ingredient list, and a variety of classic ice cream flavors to choose from. It also contains a substantial amount of protein and is sweetened with a mix of sugar and erythritol, a naturally sourced sugar alcohol.

Enlightened

Enlightened ice cream is a low-calorie, high-protein, low-fat, and low-sugar option. It is made with skim milk and is free of artificial sweeteners, using real ingredients and natural flavors instead.

Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars

Yasso bars are made with frozen Greek yogurt, which is higher in protein and lower in fat than traditional ice cream. They come in a variety of flavors and are a good option for those looking for a kosher, gluten-free, low-calorie, and low-fat dairy treat.

Breyers Delights Creamy Chocolate Ice Cream

Breyers Delights offer a classic, old-school ice cream experience with their Creamy Chocolate Ice Cream. It is made with real cream and cocoa, providing a rich and satisfying treat.

Edy's Slow Churned Fudge Tracks Ice Cream

Edy's Slow Churned Fudge Tracks is a light ice cream that still delivers on flavor. It features a combination of peanut butter cups and ribbons of fudge, making it a tasty treat for those following Weight Watchers or looking for a lower-calorie option.

Skinny Cow

Skinny Cow offers a range of low-calorie ice cream treats, including their Dynamic Duo Vanilla & Chocolate Sandwich and Next Level Vanilla Caramel Cone. Their products are designed to reduce calories and fat content without sacrificing flavor.

Arctic Zero Non-dairy Frozen Dessert

Arctic Zero provides a light and fluffy ice cream made from faba beans. It is a low-calorie option, with each container containing 160 to 180 calories or about 50 calories per serving.

Kind Frozen Treat Bars

Kind Frozen Treat Bars are a dairy-free option that hits the mark on taste and texture. They contain 7 grams of fiber and only 7 grams of added sugar per bar, making them a good choice for those looking for a treat with built-in portion control.

Sweet Nothings Spoonable Smoothie Cup

Sweet Nothings offers a unique frozen treat made from nutritious whole foods like strawberries, bananas, cashews, dates, and seeds. Each cup contains only 100 calories, no added sugars, and 3 grams of fiber, making it a refreshing and healthy option.

So Delicious Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert Sandwiches

So Delicious provides a decadent treat for those who love ice cream sandwiches but prefer dairy-free options. Their Coconut Milk Frozen Dessert Sandwiches contain only 100 calories per dessert and are relatively low in sugar, making them a tasty and satisfying choice.

Dream Pops

Dream Pops offers plant-based, low-calorie, and low-sugar frozen treats. Their Birthday Cake Bites are a popular choice, featuring a coconut milk-based ice cream coated in a hard chocolate shell.

Sweetkiwi Chocolate Hazelnut

Sweetkiwi is a Greek yogurt-based ice cream that mimics the creamy texture of traditional ice cream. It contains a whopping 6 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein per serving, making it a nutritious and satisfying treat.

Cado Avocado Frozen Dessert

Cado is a unique and innovative ice cream made from avocado puree. It is lower in saturated fat and has a refreshing, summery flavor. This non-dairy option is perfect for those who are lactose intolerant but still want a creamy and indulgent treat.

Goodpop

Goodpop offers decadent and smooth dairy-free ice cream bars. Their Orange 'n Cream pops are a crowd favorite, made with wholesome ingredients like coconut cream and packed with flavor while being lower in calories and sugar than many other desserts.

Ben & Jerry's Moo-phoria

Ben & Jerry's Moo-phoria line offers a lighter version of their popular ice cream flavors. While still indulgent, these options have fewer calories and can be a good choice for those following Weight Watchers or looking for a treat that fits within their calorie budget.

Tips for choosing low-calorie ice cream:

• Aim for about 100 to 250 calories per serving.
• Be mindful of serving sizes, which are typically 2/3 cup for ice cream.
• Read nutrition labels and ingredient lists to make informed choices.
• Choose options with real fruit, instead of fruit juice, as one of the first ingredients.
• Stay hydrated to avoid mistaking thirst for ice cream cravings.

Keto-friendly ice cream brands

While it seems that Weight Watchers does not have its own ice cream, there are plenty of keto-friendly ice cream brands to choose from.

Enlightened

Enlightened is a popular keto-friendly ice cream brand, offering a wide array of flavours. It has been praised for its awesome, creamy texture and lack of weird aftertaste. Enlightened has some of the best flavours and they really do taste like real, sugary, creamy ice cream. The brand has some basics like vanilla and chocolate, as well as fun, interesting flavours like Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars.

Rebel

Rebel is another great keto ice cream brand, with tons of flavours and a reasonable price. You can enjoy an entire pint and it'll only set you back 6 net carbs! Rebel has been praised for its mint chip flavour, although some say it has a slight aftertaste.

Real Good

Real Good ice cream has been described as creamy, chocolatey, peanut-buttery, and sweet. However, it is not the lowest carb option, with 8g net carbs per serving.

Halo Top

Halo Top has unique flavours but has been criticised for its texture, which is said to be too grainy and reminiscent of porridge. However, some people are crazy about Halo Top, so it may be worth trying. Halo Top has a full keto line with interesting flavours like Jelly Donut and White Chocolate Macadamia.

Other Brands

There are many other keto-friendly ice cream brands, including Kroger, Nick's, and So Delicious. Additionally, you can make your own keto ice cream at home with a few simple ingredients.

Sugar substitutes in keto ice cream

Keto ice cream is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth while sticking to a low-carb, high-fat diet. The key to making keto-friendly ice cream is to replace the sugar with sugar substitutes that have a similar taste but don't spike your blood sugar levels. Here are some of the best sugar substitutes to use in keto ice cream:

Monk Fruit Sweetener

Monk fruit sweetener is a popular choice for keto ice cream as it has a similar sweetness level to sugar but doesn't affect blood sugar levels. It is derived from the monk fruit, also known as lo han guo, and is naturally free from calories and carbs. Monk fruit sweetener is often blended with other sugar alcohols like allulose to create a powdered sweetener that dissolves easily and helps keep the ice cream soft and scoopable.

Erythritol

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is commonly used as a sugar substitute in keto baking and desserts. It has a clean, sweet taste and is known for its cooling effect, which can be especially refreshing in ice cream. Erythritol is also beneficial because your body doesn't process it, so you can subtract its grams from the total carbohydrates to get a lower net carb count. However, it can sometimes result in a gritty texture if not blended properly.

Stevia

Stevia is a natural sweetener that is extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It is up to 300 times sweeter than sugar, so a little goes a long way. Stevia is a popular choice for keto ice cream as it has zero calories and doesn't affect blood sugar levels. However, some people find that it has a bitter aftertaste.

Vegetable Glycerin

Vegetable glycerin is a natural sweetener that is often used in keto ice cream to mimic the sweetness of sugar. It is a clear, odourless liquid that is derived from plant oils. Vegetable glycerin is a humectant, which means it helps retain moisture, resulting in a creamier texture for the ice cream.

MCT Oil

While not technically a sugar substitute, MCT oil is often added to keto ice cream recipes to improve texture and enhance the flavour. MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides, a type of fat extracted from coconut and palm kernels. It helps keep the ice cream creamy and is scientifically proven to improve blood sugar levels, eliminate cravings, boost metabolism, and target weight gain.

Weight Watchers points

Weight Watchers, or WW, is all about the frozen treats! There are plenty of store-bought ice cream options that are Points™-friendly, so you can have something cool and satisfying while on their program for weight loss.

Halo Top Pops Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

With just 50 calories per pop, you can have your ice cream without the guilt. This Weight Watchers-friendly frozen treat combines high-protein ice cream with chocolate chip cookie dough.

Edy’s Slow Churned Fudge Tracks

Thanks to this slow-churned ice cream, you can indulge in a candy-filled dessert featuring peanut butter cups and ribbons of fudge. But since it's made with light ice cream, it's a great option for WW members.

Yasso Sea Salt Caramel Greek Frozen Yogurt Bars

These frozen yogurt bars are made with Greek yogurt, so they offer the added benefits of live and active cultures. The delicious salted caramel flavor makes it hard to believe this is a healthy option!

WW Giant Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream Bar

With just 90 calories in each giant ice cream bar, Weight Watcher's fudge bars are a perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without sacrificing points. Made with low-fat chocolate ice cream, these bars let you enjoy a creamy treat without the added fat of traditional ice cream.

Ben & Jerry’s Mocha Fudge Brownie Light Ice Cream

You don't have to give up your favorite Ben and Jerry's when you're on Weight Watchers. Just look for the "moo-phoria" label to find a lighter version of several popular flavors. The Mocha Fudge Brownie flavor features espresso and brownie pieces mixed into a batch of delicious light ice cream.

Popsicle Fudgesicle Low-Fat Pops

Enjoying a classic Fudgesicle is still possible when you're on Weight Watchers. The low-fat version of this sweet treat is just as rich as the regular dessert, and WW members can attest to that!

Skinny Cow Not Fudging Around Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream Cones

With these Skinny Cow fudge cones, you don't have to skip the cone when indulging in an ice cream dessert. Enjoy a classic ice cream cone without the guilt.

Favorite Day Chocolate with Peanut Butter Swirl

This Favorite Day ice cream flavor is high in protein and low in fat, making it a delicious option for anyone on Weight Watchers. The tasty combination of chocolate and peanut butter in this frozen treat is sure to satisfy your cravings.

Halo Top Birthday Cake

Enjoy some cake with your ice cream without all the fat and calories. This colorful frozen treat features rainbow sprinkles, cake batter flavor, and reduced-fat ice cream. It's a fun way to satisfy your sweet tooth without sacrificing your daily points.

Good Humor Orange Creamsicle Bar

With just 100 calories per bar, you can grab a quick frozen treat without going over your points limit. The classic combination of orange and vanilla makes this nostalgic ice cream bar a popular choice among WW members.

In addition to these delicious options, there are also homemade Weight Watchers-friendly ice cream recipes you can try. For example, a simple recipe includes blending frozen bananas, almond milk, vanilla extract, and cocoa powder to create a chocolate banana ice cream that is both healthy and delicious. This recipe yields two servings, each counting as 1 Blue Plan Point, 1 Green Plan Point, 1 Purple Plan Point, or 2 Points on the 2023 Plan.

So, whether you're indulging in store-bought or homemade treats, there are plenty of Weight Watchers-friendly ice cream options to satisfy your sweet tooth while sticking to your weight loss goals.

Frequently asked questions