When the temperature has climbed above 30 degrees, there’s nothing as tempting as a deliciously cold ice cream. But what if that ice cream not only delivered rapid cooling, but also a healthy hit of protein?
If you’re searching for a summery treat that supports your health goals, you’re in luck. Wellbeing guru Liz Earle, 63, has shared her summer ice cream recipe on Instagram. Not only is it packed with fruit, it’s low carb, low sugar, and heavy on the protein, too, thanks to the protein powder, Greek yogurt – and a large dollop of cottage cheese. There’s even a dose of collagen blended in.
Revealing the recipe for her ‘high-protein, probiotic, low-sugar strawberry ice cream,’ Liz says: ‘It’s a delicious summer treat that feels indulgent, but is bursting with protein, antioxidants and healthy-gut wins.’
Liz’s healthy ice cream recipe:
200g cottage cheese
250g ripe strawberries, hulled
100g raspberries
250g full-fat Greek yogurt
150ml double cream
30g whey protein powder (or similar)
1tbsp collagen peptides
1tbsp lemon juice
1tsp vanilla extract
30ml kefir
A pinch of sea salt
1tbsp runny honey
Blend the cottage cheese until completely smooth, then continue blending while adding the the strawberries, raspberries and lemon juice. Add the remaining ingredients and blend again. Pour into a shallow freezer-safe container and freeze for around 4-6hr, stirring well every hour during the first 3hr if possible. Remove from the freezer 10-15min before serving.
So what makes this a nutritional winner? Liz’s ice cream delivers a protein hit thanks to the cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, double cream, protein powder and collagen. Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt also provide calcium, and strawberries and raspberries bring vitamin C, fibre and polyphenols. There’s also kefir, which is a fermented dairy food and, depending on the product, may contain live cultures.
‘I love having this as a simple summer dessert,’ says Liz. ‘It’s perfect for when I fancy something sweet, but still supports my protein intake. A genuine wellbeing win!’