We all love it (not just the kiddos). And…it’s not just for breakfast either (click here for my “Ice Cream for Breakfast” yes…BREAKFAST article!). It’s ICE CREAM, and we are all screaming for it! But, ice cream has a bad wrap in the diet and nutrition world. So, let’s debunk a few myths about this deliciously creamy treat by discussing how we can eat it the Clean Cuisine way.

And then, I’ll give you my recipe for Banana Ice Cream with Peanut butter. That’s right….

Ice Cream Myths

1. Ice Cream is unhealthy.

Well….this one is true if you’re eating actual ice CREAM. Most of you know how I feel about dairy and how vocal I’ve been about how milk does NOT do a body good.

2. When it comes to frozen treats, frozen yogurt is always the healthier choice.

Not true. Even substitutions for ice cream, like frozen yogurt, are not a healthy replacement for this treat. Frozen yogurt still falls into the dairy category and is very likely to be loaded with extra sugar. Frozen yogurt is technically lower in fat than ice cream, but from a health and nutritional standpoint, frozen yogurt doesn’t do much in the way of boosting nutrients. It is yet another marketing ploy to sell you something “low in calories,” which, you know that counting your food is not the optimal way to trim your waistline or give you the nutrients that your body requires for ultimate health.

As you will see in the Banana Ice Cream recipe below dairy and extra sugar is not necessary for this deliciously frozen treat. Ingredients such as creamy coconut milk can substitute for dairy cream and even enhance the flavor with it’s naturally sweet flavor. Furthermore, by adding nutrient-packed ingredients like fresh ground peanut butter, you can up the nutritional value of this scrumptious snack….giving you a lot of BANG for a very sweet buck.

3. Putting toppings on your ice cream is even more unhealthy for you.

Not true. Adding healthful, “whole” food ingredients like nuts, cacao bits, and raw coconut shavings is a perfect way to add even MORE nutritional benefit to this treat!

4. Ice Cream should only be eaten at birthday parties and for dessert.

Not true! Well, we just learned in my “Ice Cream for Breakfast“ article that you can start your day with ice cream, so this one is definitely false. 😉

Whenever you decide to make and eat this delectable treat, just do it the Clean Cuisine way, and you can rest assured you are consuming a wonderfully, tasty and nutritional ingredients.

On to the recipe…..

Banana Ice Cream with Peanut Butter and Honey

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 frozen Bananas
• 1/2 cup unsweetened organic coconut milk, Nature’s Greatest Foods
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup and 2 Tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cup water
• 3 Tablespoons raw, unfiltered honey (a more cost effective option than Manuka for large quantities/baking) by Nature Nate’s
• 8 dates
• pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and process until very smooth and creamy.
2. Pour contents into an ice cream maker and follow manufacture’s instructions.