Keto Ice Cream: What's In This Treat?

Keto ice cream is a dessert option for people on the ketogenic diet, which is high in fat, moderate in protein, and low in carbohydrates. Regular ice cream is typically made with milk and sugar, both of which are carbohydrates. Keto ice cream, on the other hand, is made with alternative ingredients to reduce the carb content and promote ketosis.

Keto ice cream is high in fibre

Keto ice cream usually contains added fibre in the form of soluble corn fibre or chicory root fibre. Chicory root is made from the root of the chicory plant and is added to foods to increase the fibre content. Fibre slows digestion and absorption of carbs and, in turn, helps regulate blood sugar.

Keto ice cream is also sweetened with sugar alternatives, as regular sugar is a type of carb. These low-calorie and sugar-free alternatives include stevia, erythritol, monk fruit extract and vegetable glycerin. Since your body can't process these artificial sweeteners, they don't interfere with ketosis.

Keto ice cream also contains less dairy than regular ice cream. Regular ice cream is usually made with a blend of milk and heavy cream, but both ingredients contain carbs. Keto ice cream replaces a lot of dairy with water and carb-free milk protein concentrate, or is made with ultra-filtered milk (which contains less sugar and carbs).

Sweetened with sugar alternatives

Keto ice cream is sweetened with sugar alternatives, allowing consumers to enjoy a sweet-tasting dessert without the carbohydrates usually found in regular sugar. These sugar alternatives are low-calorie and sugar-free, ensuring that the ice cream does not interfere with ketosis.

Some popular sugar substitutes include sugar alcohols such as xylitol and erythritol, which have about half the calories of sugar. Monk fruit, a natural sweetener derived from a small round fruit native to China, is also commonly used. Additionally, stevia, a sweetener made from plant leaves, is another popular choice for keto ice cream manufacturers.

Some brands also use allulose, a sugar substitute recognised by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Allulose is metabolised differently by the body compared to other sugars, providing only 0.4 calories per gram as opposed to 4 calories per gram from regular sugar. As a result, the FDA has exempted allulose from being included in the total sugar count on nutrition labels.

To enhance the sweetness and flavour of keto ice cream, manufacturers may also add ingredients like chicory root, guar gum, and acacia gum. These ingredients not only create a creamy texture but also help regulate blood sugar levels by slowing the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates.

By utilising these sugar alternatives, keto ice cream brands can offer consumers a delicious and indulgent dessert experience without compromising their commitment to a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet.

Contains less dairy

A key component of ice cream is dairy, but keto ice cream contains less dairy than traditional ice cream. This is because both milk and cream contain carbohydrates, which are limited on a keto diet.

Keto ice cream still contains some dairy, but it replaces a lot of it with water and milk protein concentrate. Milk protein concentrate is made by filtering skim milk to remove fat and sugar. Another option is to use ultra-filtered milk, which contains less sugar and carbohydrates.

Some keto ice cream brands, such as So Delicious, choose to make their products dairy-free. So Delicious makes its ice cream from full-fat coconut milk, which is high in saturated fat and has a strong coconut flavour. Other dairy-free ice cream bases include almond, cashew, soy, avocado, and oat milk.

Even with less dairy, keto ice cream brands strive to maintain a creamy texture. To achieve this, they add ingredients such as guar gum and acacia gum, which are derived from guar beans and the acacia tree, respectively. These ingredients contain soluble fibre, which helps to thicken the liquid and create a creamy texture.

While keto ice cream may contain less dairy, it still delivers a creamy and delicious scoop shop flavour.

May use ultra-filtered milk

Keto ice cream is a special type of ice cream designed for people on the keto diet, which is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb diet. The goal of the keto diet is to shift the body's metabolism into ketosis, where it uses ketones, which burn fat, instead of carbohydrates for energy.

Keto ice cream is made with less dairy than traditional ice cream, as both milk and cream contain carbohydrates. To reduce the amount of carbohydrates, keto ice cream may be made with ultra-filtered milk. Ultra-filtered milk is milk that has been filtered to remove more of the sugar and carbohydrates than are present in regular milk. This helps to keep the carbohydrate content of keto ice cream low, while still providing some of the creamy texture and mouthfeel associated with traditional ice cream.

In addition to using ultra-filtered milk, keto ice cream manufacturers may also replace some of the dairy with water and carb-free milk protein concentrate, which is made by filtering skim milk to remove fat and sugar. This helps to further reduce the carbohydrate content of the ice cream, while still providing a creamy texture.

Some popular keto ice cream brands that may use ultra-filtered milk include Rebel Creamery, Enlightened, Keto Pint, Halo Top, Edy's, and So Delicious. These brands also use sugar substitutes and sugar alcohols, such as erythritol, monk fruit, and stevia, to sweeten their products without adding carbohydrates.

By using ultra-filtered milk and other low-carbohydrate ingredients, keto ice cream brands are able to create a product that aligns with the keto diet's strict requirements, while still providing a delicious and indulgent treat for consumers.

Includes natural sweeteners

Natural sweeteners are a key component of keto ice cream, ensuring that it satisfies your sweet tooth while adhering to the keto diet's strict guidelines. These sweeteners not only provide the desired sweetness but also play a role in creating a creamy texture and enhancing the overall taste experience.

One of the most popular natural sweeteners used in keto ice cream is stevia. Derived from plant leaves, stevia is a zero-calorie sweetener that is much sweeter than sugar. It has a long history of use as a natural sweetener and is often favoured for its lack of impact on blood sugar levels, making it a suitable choice for those with diabetes or prediabetes.

Monk fruit is another natural sweetener that is commonly used in keto ice cream. This fruit is native to China and is known for its intense sweetness. Monk fruit extract is added to keto ice cream to provide a sweet taste without the carbohydrates found in sugar. Like stevia, monk fruit sweeteners also have the benefit of not affecting blood sugar levels.

Erythritol is also frequently used as a natural sweetener in keto ice cream. It is a type of sugar alcohol that has about half the calories of sugar. Erythritol is often chosen for its similarity in taste to sugar, making it a popular choice for reducing the overall calorie count of the dessert without compromising on flavour.

In addition to these primary natural sweeteners, some keto ice cream brands may also incorporate other natural options such as allulose, vegetable glycerin, or xylitol. These sweeteners are known for their low-calorie content and their ability to provide the desired sweetness without affecting the ketosis state.

By using these natural sweeteners, keto ice cream brands are able to create indulgent treats that align with the keto diet's requirements. These sweeteners allow individuals following the keto diet to enjoy a delicious dessert without compromising their health goals or experiencing negative side effects on their blood sugar and insulin levels.

Frequently asked questions