Are you screaming for ice cream? Or maybe screaming from what you just read on the nutrition label? Ice cream is an unbeatable indulgence, but it's also not the healthiest choice. Get your sweet fix without sacrificing nutrition with these ice cream hacks.
Make Your Own Nice Cream: The original alternative to traditional ice cream, nice cream is made by blitzing frozen bananas in a food processor. The result is light, sweet, and indulgent enough for special occasions. Bananas on their own give nice cream plenty of sweetness, but if creativity strikes there's no reason not to add in some different flavors and textures. You can even add beet powder for a sweet pink treat. Check out this blog for plenty more inspiration: https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/banana-ice-cream-healthy/
Try It With Sweet Potato: Combine the sweetness of sweet potato with the richness of coconut milk and what do you get? Sweet potato ice cream! This treat is vegan, dairy free, and easy to whip up (though you will need an ice cream maker). Check out the recipe here: https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/healthy-ice-cream/
Go With Protein: Protein powder can be an excellent base for homemade ice cream. Powders generally have flavors already built in, and you can find different formulations that match your dietary needs and preferences. This recipe (https://thebigmansworld.com/healthy-no-churn-workout-protein-ice-cream-paleo-vegan-gluten-free/) combines protein powder, coconut milk, and dates for a super easy post-workout treat.
Pick up a Pint: Health conscious dessert-lovers are living in a golden age. The freezer aisle is full of healthier alternatives to traditional ice cream. If you want something indulgent but don't have the time to drag out your food processor, there's nothing wrong with shopping for a pre-made pint. You'll get all of the flavor and fun of traditional ice cream, but without the jaw dropping amounts of sugar and saturated fat. Plus you won't even have to dirty any dishes. If that isn't the best of both worlds we don't know what is.
Add an Avocado: Love the rich creaminess of traditional ice cream but hate all the added sugar and unhealthy fat? Reach for avocado ice cream instead. Avocado gives homemade ice cream an amazingly smooth texture. It also provides plenty of healthy unsaturated fats. This recipe (http://www.sweetestkitchen.com/2013/07/avocado-ice-cream/) is a great place to start when making avocado ice cream. Swap out the sugar with a sweetener of your choice to truly make it your own.
Blend Up a Smoothie: Is this one really ice cream? Well, that depends on how you look at it. A smoothie with banana, milk, and your preferred add-ins has the same ingredients as a scoop of nice cream, just without all the extra work. And if you want to get really decadent you can throw in a few chocolate chips or add a little whipped cream on top. Mix in a scoop of greens powder and you have a sweet, nourishing alternative to a traditional milkshake.