Why I make homemade Ice Cream and why is it Important?
You might think that ice cream would be the last thing on a low-carb diet!
Let me tell you why I've started making ice cream. It's a pretty sweet story (:
My wife has been struggling with sugar addiction for years now. As she's gotten older, we've noticed she's having trouble with her memory, which is pretty scary. The thing is, she loves ice cream. She used to go through tons of Blue Bell, loaded with high fructose corn syrup and sugar. Terrible stuff!
We've learned that too much sugar can lead to all sorts of health issues, including memory problems and other metabolic issues. Since we've both switched to a low-carb diet (almost carnivore), my wife missed her ice cream fix. I wanted to find a way for her to enjoy her treat without compromising her health.
So, I started experimenting with making ice cream from scratch using ingredients that fit our low-carb lifestyle - whole milk, cream, butter, and eggs. The secret ingredient is Allulose as the sweetener. It's amazing because it doesn't spike blood sugar or insulin levels, so it's safe for her to enjoy guilt-free.
Allulose is a game-changer for us. Unlike regular sugar, it tastes sweet but doesn't mess with your body the same way. It's been shown to have some potential health benefits, like helping control blood sugar levels [1]. For my wife, this means she can satisfy her sweet tooth without worrying about her blood sugar going crazy or triggering more sugar cravings.
My homemade ice cream is packed with good stuff - healthy animal fats from dairy and eggs, plus omega-3s, omega-6s, and vitamins. It's especially great for women, who often need more dietary fat than men. You see, fat is super important for hormone production, especially in women[2]. By giving my wife a good source of healthy fats, I'm helping support her overall hormonal balance, which can affect everything from mood to energy levels.
I didn't have an ice cream maker at first, but I found an affordable 2-quart churn on Amazon for about $100. Totally worth it to see my wife enjoy her ice cream again without worrying about her health!
This whole experience has taught me that with a little creativity, we can find ways to enjoy the foods we love while still taking care of ourselves. It's all about finding that balance.
In a previous post, I spelled out the recipe for my ice cream. You can find it here:
https://ketogenicengineer.substack.com/p/my-homemade-vanilla-ice-cream?r=4cmu9u
References:
[1] Dr. Ben Bikman - scientist and professor at Brigham Young University (BYU) who specializes in metabolic disorders
[2] Dr Elizebeth Bright, DO, ND, MICO
Author's Background
I am an engineer by profession and not a licensed medical doctor, registered dietitian, or certified nutritionist. The information presented here is based on my research from reputable medical and nutritional sources, but this should not be considered medical advice.