9 Keto-Approved Ice Creams That Actually Taste Good

Keto ice cream shares a few similarities with non-keto ice cream. It's creamy and thick. It's delicious. (And, okay, it's popular.)

But that's sort of where the similarities end. Keto ice cream tends to be low in carbohydrates (and one of those carbohydrates being sugar), which is often the complete opposite end of the nutritional spectrum compared to real ice cream. That's largely because some of the sugars in real ice cream come from lactose, a naturally occurring sugar in milk, which is different than added sugar.

So how is it, exactly, that keto ice cream companies can make rich and tasty desserts while also keeping carbs—the enemy of ketosis—low?

It's all about the sugar.

"Instead of sweetening these ice creams with sugar like traditional ice cream, keto ice cream brands use zero/low-calorie sweeteners like stevia, monkfruit, and/or sugar alcohols (i.e. erythritol)," says Charlotte Martin, M.S., R.D.N. These alternative sweeteners don't typically spike your blood sugar, which would then kick you out of ketosis. And that's a godsend if you're on the keto diet.

This said, not all keto ice creams are created equal. In general, you want to look for a product that has fewer than 10 grams of net carbs per serving, but with a goal of closer to 5 grams, Martin says. That's to keep you in ketosis so you can continue to burn fat on the diet.

And read the ingredient list.

"Be sure to pay attention to the fiber source and sweetener used in the ice cream if you have a history of digestive issues with fibers and sweeteners"” she says. “Some fibers, like chicory root, and sugar alcohols, like xylitol, aren’t well-tolerated by many individuals, and can cause digestive upset like gas and bloating," she explains.

The keto-approved ice creams that follow deliver on nutrition, but also on delicious.

Now all you need is a spoon.