Do you ever crave something sweet? I know I do! We all know and love the cold, creamy, smooth, rich, and sweet treat known as ice cream…
Even when it's not the summer, ice cream is always worth it in my opinion. But, if you're working toward a fitness goal and following a nutrition plan ... Ice cream certainly isn't the best option.
Don't get me wrong, you CAN have ice cream when you're working toward your goals. However, making sure it fits in with the rest of your nutrition can be the real challenge.
I don't like to think of any food as good or bad per-say. The truth is, different foods have different concentrations of nutrients. They have different amounts of protein, carbs, fat, vitamins, and minerals.
If you're really in the mood for ice cream, but want a better option for your goals, that's what I'm here to talk about today! Believe it or not, there are plenty of ice cream alternatives that are much more goal-friendly.
I'll give you some recommendations that taste great and can help you stay on track.
That way, you'll be able to enjoy the taste of ice cream without throwing a wrench in your nutrition plan.
What Makes A Good Ice Cream Alternative?
When you are looking for a “good” option for an ice cream alternative, there are many things to consider. A well-rounded nutrition plan typically includes a lot of protein and the calories necessary to reach your specific goals.
So, what kind of ice cream alternative are you looking for? One that's higher in protein? One that's lower in calories? One that has less sugar?
This is just a few of the reasons you may want an alternative. For me, I want something that has fewer carbs and fats and more protein. I'll give you five different options for ice cream alternatives you can choose from.
I'm sure one, if not all of them, will be exactly what you're looking for!
Options For Ice Cream Alternatives
These will each come with their own benefits and drawbacks, but that's okay! So many options will cater to the different needs of different people.
Whether you are lactose intolerant, need more protein, or want less calories, one of these options will help you out.
Snow Cones
While this one isn't as creamy, it is a phenomenal ice cream alternative! You can often find sugar-free flavors for a virtually calorie-free treat too.
Snow cones are really just shaved ice with flavored syrup. Heck, you can even add a little bit of low-fat creme if you want a creamier flavor.
This is an option that has a very different texture, very different taste, but is super refreshing. Due to the fact that it has ice shavings, it can help with hydration on a hot summer day as well! After all, ice is just frozen water.
Greek Yogurt
This one is a great way to help make sure that you can get in a sweet treat, but stay on track as well. Nearly anybody with any goal can likely fit greek yogurt into their plan. Plus, it's quite the easy grab and go snack.
If you want even more protein, I know plenty of people who add protein powder to their greek yogurt as well. All you have to do is mix it in with a fork and it tastes great!
Some people even freeze their greek yogurt for a more traditional ice cream alternative. On top of that, there are a lot of different things you can add to greek yogurt. Granola and fresh fruit are two of my favorites which happen to go great with greek yogurt.
Smoothies
Smoothies are a game changer when it comes to getting a cold and refreshing treat. You can toss in fruits, ice, yogurt, and more. Oftentimes, people can find a healthy smoothie recipe that tastes just as good to them as ice cream.
If you want more protein, you can add protein powder or egg whites as well! Overall, it's a great option for customizing to meet your flavor and nutrition needs.
Low-Calorie Popsicles
These can be a very low calorie option and alternative to ice cream. They're also pretty easy to make on your own. All you need is some fruit puree, juice, and popsicle molds.
Once again, you can even make these with protein powders. Trust me, it's actually delicious with protein powder. I freeze my chocolate banana flavored protein powder and it tastes just like a chocolate covered banana!
Another one of my favorite home-made popsicles are actually made with BCAAs. This is just an amino acid powder that normally comes in fruity flavors. Just mix it with water, freeze it, and you have an excellent low-calorie treat.
Protein Ice Cream
Of any ice cream alternative, this one is my favorite. Plus, you have an endless number of options when it comes to protein ice cream. We even have an excellent protein ice cream recipe you can check out here too.
For the most part, all you need is protein powder and milk. Just mix it up, freeze it, then blend it when it's fully frozen. I like to blend it for a few minutes, add a little more milk to make it creamy, and re-blend.
Above all else, protein ice cream can be an excellent option for your goals. The recipes I make for myself have over 30 grams of protein and minimal amounts of carbs and fat! I also use non-fat milk to accomplish this, so keep that in mind.
Make Your Own Protein Ice Cream
If any of these ice cream alternatives appeal to you, that's great! They can all help you stay on track with your nutrition far more than normal ice cream can. However, that's not to say you can't enjoy real ice cream in moderation.
If you're ready to try out protein ice cream, I have an excellent recipe for you here.
I use Level-1 protein powder and switch up the flavor any time I'm looking to change up the taste.
If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out to us. We have a full team of NASM Certified Personal Trainers and Nutrition Coaches who are happy to help you reach your goals for FREE! Just give us a call at 1-800-409-9732 or send us an email at CustomerService@1stPhorm.com.
You can also browse for your favorite flavor of Level-1 here so you can start making some tasty high-protein ice cream today!
