Why swap it
Regular ice cream combines sugar and fat in almost exactly the ratio that makes it hard to stop eating. It's cold, it's sweet, it melts in your mouth, and it never really fills you up, which is why a "small bowl" so easily turns into half the carton. Most of it is sugar, with very little protein to keep you satisfied.
My protein ice cream
This is my favorite swap on the whole site. I make my own with three things: canned coconut milk, Equip protein powder, and a Ninja CREAMi. It comes out thick, creamy, and genuinely satisfying, and because it's full of protein, one bowl is actually enough.
How to make it
- Blend. Shake the can well, pour the coconut milk into a blender, and blend in a scoop or two of protein powder until smooth. I add a little natural stevia to make it a bit sweeter.
- Fill and freeze. Pour it into a CREAMi pint, up to the max fill line, and freeze it on a level surface for a full 24 hours.
- Spin. Process it on the Lite Ice Cream setting. If it comes out crumbly, add a splash of water or milk and re-spin.
- Add mix-ins if you want them, like a few chopped nuts, cacao nibs, or berries.
Other best choices
These fit the Weigh to Stay approach: real food, with refined carbs and added sugar kept low.
- Frozen Greek yogurt bark. Plain Greek yogurt spread on a tray with berries, frozen, and broken into pieces.
- Frozen berries with a splash of cream. The cream freezes onto the fruit into something close to ice cream.
In moderation
Better than the original, but check the label for added sugar.
- Store-bought "light" or high-protein ice cream. Some are great, but many are sweetened with artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols. Read the ingredients before you buy.
Ninja CREAMi
The machine that makes it all work. It turns a frozen pint of coconut milk and protein into thick, creamy ice cream in a couple of minutes.
Equip protein powder
The protein in my ice cream. It's what turns a sweet treat into something that actually fills me up, so one bowl is enough.
Canned coconut milk
The creamy base of my ice cream. Full-fat and unsweetened, it gives the ice cream its rich, smooth texture.
Shopping tip
Keep a couple of pints prepped in the freezer at all times. When the craving hits at 9pm, you want your own ice cream ready to spin, not a trip to the store.
← All Healthy Food Alternatives
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