Milkshakes can be made healthier by using less ice, sugar, and fat. The key is to keep the proportions of ice cream and milk right.
This is especially true if you’re on a diet. But don’t let that stop you from enjoying a creamy shake. It’s actually a lot easier than you think!
1. Use less ice
While milkshakes and ice cream aren’t necessarily considered “healthy” foods, they can be a satisfying and delicious snack if you make them at home. This way, you can control the amount of ice and sugar that go into your shake, as well as how much ice cream and dairy you consume.
One thing to keep in mind is that ice cream and milkshakes are usually made with softened ice cream and low-fat or skim milk. These milk products aren’t dense and contain a lot of air, which means they don’t have the thick, creamy consistency that you want in your shake.
If you’re looking for a dense and rich milkshake, try using full-fat milk instead of skim or low-fat milk. This will create a thicker, more milky milkshake that will taste just as good as a classic ice cream milkshake!
You can also use a variety of fruits to add flavor and texture to your shake. Some fruits you may consider include strawberries, raspberries, bananas, and mangoes.
To give your shake more flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or other flavoring. If you’re going for a more dessert-like drink, you can also add a scoop of chocolate ice cream and serve it with whipped cream.
Another option is to use a variety of toppings for your milkshake, like sprinkles, brownie bits, mini-marshmallows, and fruit. You can even use a salted caramel syrup to give it more depth of flavor.
You can also use a variety of nut milks to make your shake more flavorful and healthier. Almond, coconut, oat, and cashew milks are some popular options for this. They are lower in fat than soy milk, but they still have a bit of a richer and more flavorful taste.
2. Use less milk
An ice cream less milkshake is a deliciously refreshing way to satisfy your sweet tooth without the added sugar and calories. In fact, many of the traditional restaurant milkshakes that we love — containing a whopping 500 calories per serving — aren’t actually all that healthy for us!
However, thanks to a few simple tricks, you can easily make an ice cream less milkshake that is still thick, creamy, and tasty! First, it’s important to choose a good quality ice cream.
If you’re using a low-quality ice cream, it will contain more air than you want in your shake, which means that the consistency won’t be thick enough to hold up to the milk. For the best results, try to stick with plain flavors that don’t include mix-ins (like cookies and brownies) — it’ll give you more control over how the shake turns out.
When it comes to the milk, whole milk is preferred and creates the richest and smoothest milkshakes. Skim milk or reduced-fat dairy can be used to make an ice cream less milkshake, but it won’t provide the same richness and creamy texture.
A teaspoon of malted milk powder or powdered milk adds creaminess and takes your shake to the next level. You can also add a tablespoon of liquid flavor boosts like chocolate syrup or vanilla extract.
In addition, you can add fruit to your ice cream less milkshake for an extra dose of antioxidants. A mixture of fresh or frozen strawberries, raspberries, bananas and kiwis is one option that’s both delicious and relatively low in calories. You can also throw in a scoop of peanut butter for a satisfying, protein-packed snack!
3. Use less ice cream
When making a milkshake, it’s best to use less ice cream than the recipe calls for. This will help prevent your shake from being too thick and watery.
In fact, using too much ice cream will also make it more difficult to blend your shake into the desired consistency. This is because ice cream can cause the milk to become too cold, which will lead to an end product that’s less creamy than you’d like.
To avoid this, you can replace some of the ice cream with a frozen banana or a mixture of both. These ingredients will provide the thickness and frosty texture that you’re looking for in a milkshake without the extra calories or sugars.
You can also omit the chocolate syrup or sweetener and add more milk, but your milkshake will not be as thick or creamy. It will be more like a chocolate malt.
Finally, you can make your ice cream less milkshake more interesting by adding fun ingredients like cookie pieces, ice cream chunks, or fruit. The most common toppings for an ice cream less milkshake are whipped cream and sprinkles, but you can get creative!
One tablespoon of ice cream contains 18 calories. Of those, 16 of them are from saturated fats, which isn’t healthy. These fats are harmful to your health and can cause obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
In addition, milkshakes contain a lot of sugar, which is unhealthy for your health. These sugars are processed in your body and convert into fat when you eat them, which is why they can be a major culprit for weight gain. To keep your calorie count low and your blood sugar levels balanced, try to eat less ice cream, a smaller serving size, and cut back on the sweetener you use.
4. Use less sweetener
A milkshake is a treat in and of itself, but when you’re on a keto diet there are ways to make your favorite ice cream concoction even more enjoyable. One is to use less sweetener, which can be done by using a low calorie natural sweetener like maple syrup or honey or an artificial sweetener such as sucralose or stevia.
Another way to get a thick and creamy drink is to use high-quality ice cream that is dense and rich in flavor. Coconut milk-based ice cream, in particular, has a lovely smoothness to it that is hard to beat.
To get a really thick shake, you need a strong blender with a powerful motor and a lot of liquid. I recommend a full-fat milk such as heavy whipping cream or even half and half for a smoother texture, but you can also try whole, skim or dairy-free alternatives such as almond or oat milk.
If you don’t have a strong enough blender for this recipe, then you can opt for a large glass of ice or a scoop of ice cream in a bowl and mix with a spoon before topping off the beverage with some extra whipped cream and a cherry to top it off. This is the easiest way to make a thick and creamy milkshake without having to resort to a store-bought concoction.
5. Use less milk
The key to making a thick, creamy milkshake is using the right ratio of ice cream to milk. Generally speaking, it’s 2 cups of ice cream to 1/4 cup of milk. If you’d like your shake to be a little thinner, simply add more milk or less ice cream.
Use a high-quality ice cream for the best results. Stick to plain flavors that don’t have mix-ins, and be sure to choose an ice cream that has a high-density consistency, or it won’t mix well in the blender.
For a non-icy milkshake, you should always use whole or skim milk (if you’re using dairy-free, oat or almond milk will be less creamy than whole or skim). The fat in the milk plays a key role in the texture of your milkshake, so don’t skimp on this!
You can also make your milkshake a bit more indulgent by adding solid mix-ins. Brownies, cookies, cake and frozen fruit are all great options that can help to make your shake extra rich.
Malted milk powder is another way to make your shake even more creamy. This contains malted barley, wheat flour and evaporated whole milk powder, which gives your shake a savory undertone that enhances chocolate and vanilla flavors.
If you’re lactose intolerant, consider a soy milk alternative. Or you can try a plant-based nut milk, such as almond or coconut.
Whether you’re looking for a healthy way to cool off or a delicious treat, you’ll love this easy no-ice cream recipe. You can even add a few fresh fruits, such as raspberries, strawberries or bananas to give your milkshake an extra boost of flavor. Just be sure to let your ice cream soften before mixing it up!
Beyond the realm of flavor and technique, Adriano recognizes the importance of sustainability and conscious consumption. His writing often explores eco-friendly practices within the ice cream industry, highlighting the use of locally sourced ingredients, reducing waste, and supporting ethical production methods.