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: coconut milk powder, 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. Mix coconut milk powder with water, then 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.
Coconut milk powder
The creamy base of my ice cream. Mixed with water, it gives you rich coconut milk whenever you need it, and it keeps in the pantry far longer than cans or cartons.
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
Some links on this page go to products I personally use. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.