If you’re on the keto diet, staying away from sugary ice cream can be a real challenge. Fortunately, there are many keto ice cream options available, but figuring out which one is the best can be overwhelming. This guide dives deep into the world of keto ice cream, focusing on ingredients, taste, and overall suitability for a ketogenic lifestyle.
Why Keto Ice Cream?
The ketogenic diet is characterized by a high-fat, low-carb intake, which forces the body to burn fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. Traditional ice cream, loaded with sugar, is a definite no-no on keto. Keto ice cream provides a sweet treat without derailing your diet, but it’s crucial to understand what goes into these products.
Key Ingredients to Look For
Cream and Fat Sources
The base of any good keto ice cream is fat. Look for ice cream made with real cream, as it will taste much better and be higher in fat. Some keto ice cream brands use high-fat cream as a base. Avoid products that rely heavily on skim milk or milk protein concentrate. Remember that skim milk by itself isn’t keto-friendly, with about 12g of net carbs per cup.
Sweeteners
If you’re on the keto diet because of blood sugar spikes or you have an overall sugar imbalance, watch out for the sweeteners used in keto ice cream. Common keto-friendly sweeteners include:
- Xylitol: Found in some formulations.
- Sugar Alcohols: Be mindful of specific sugar alcohols, as some people may experience digestive issues.
Other Notable Ingredients
- Grass-fed butter: Adds richness and flavor.
- Egg yolks: Contribute to creaminess and texture.
- Pure vanilla extract and vanilla bean seeds: Enhance the flavor profile.
- Pink Himalayan salt: Balances the sweetness and adds depth.
Top Keto Ice Cream Brands and Their Ingredients
Mammoth Creamery
Mammoth Creamery is a standout choice due to its perfect balance of taste, texture, and ingredients. It exemplifies what keto ice cream should be.
Read also: Satisfy Your Cravings with Whole Foods
Rebel Creamery
When it comes to taste, Rebel Creamery has it all figured out. It’s not too sweet, but filling and creamy at the same time. The biggest downfall is the consistency. This keto ice cream brand sells both pints and bars and has a solid variety of flavors that range from sea salt caramel to cake batter.
Halo Top Keto Series
Halo Top offers a range of keto ice creams that are both creamy and delicious, without being overly sweet. You’ll always find something to satisfy your cravings with the keto Halo Top ice cream. In comparison to other keto ice creams, they’re really low in calories, but not so much when it comes to the carb count. The ingredients vary depending on the flavor. Their taste is delicious and measures up to that of non-keto ice cream for sure. While they have the best ice cream bars, they also carry pints as well. Some of their pints are a bit chalky in flavor, but the bars are pretty phenomenal.
Lactose-Free Options
If you are lactose intolerant, there are specific keto ice cream brands that cater to this dietary need.
Brands Worth Mentioning
While some keto ice cream brands didn’t make our list, I feel like they’re still worth mentioning.
DIY Keto Ice Cream Recipes
In case you decide to make your keto ice cream at home, here are a few recipes:
Read also: Whole Foods Breakfast Options
Keto Chocolate Ice Cream
Made with only 5 ingredients, this is the easiest keto-friendly ice cream to make at home. It’s delicious, creamy, and contains less than 5g net carbs per serving.
Mason Jar Ice Cream
This is a legitimate way to make tasty ice cream in no time. Plus, it only has 3g of net carbs per serving!
Keto Ice Cream Bars
Ready for a summer party? These are a guaranteed hit, and no one will guess they’re keto. With just a few ingredients and popsicle molds, you can enjoy them at 4g of net carbs per bar.
Almond Milk Ice Cream
Need something keto-friendly and dairy-free? This ice cream, made with unsweetened almond milk and coconut milk, is the perfect solution.
Considerations for Weight Loss
Even though this list features keto-friendly ice creams, you still need to watch the calories you’re consuming if your goal is to get rid of extra pounds. Naturally, ice cream made with mostly cream will not be low calorie, and if you eat too much of it, you may stall your weight loss goals.
Read also: Plant-Based Diet Guide
Where to Find Keto Ice Cream
You can get keto ice cream nearly everywhere at this point.