Why Homemade Banana 🍌 Ice cream with protein?

Making homemade ice cream using bananas can be just as tasty as traditional ice cream, but with so many more benefits:

1. Healthier alternative: Bananas are a naturally sweet fruit. They are an an excellent choice to add sweetness to your ice cream recipe without relying heavily on added sugars. This is great for anyone trying to reduce their sugar intake or promote health blood sugar levels. Bananas are also a better choice than sugar alternatives like sugar alcohols, which while low in calories, may be harmful to your microbiome.

2. Nutrient-rich: Bananas are packed with essential nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and dietary fiber. While ripe bananas lose some of their fiber, the fiber in bananas is prebiotic because it is a source of resistant starch. Prebiotic foods help the good bacteria in your microbiome feed and thrive.

3. Balanced macronutrients and more fullness: Ice cream is usually high in carbs and fat. By adding protein powder to mix-ins you may better support lean muscle growth, immune function, and hormone production. You may also enhance satiety because protein can help you feel fuller for longer.

4. Allergy-friendly and vegan: Banana ice cream can cater to various dietary needs. It's naturally free of common allergens like dairy, gluten, and soy. Additionally, it can be a great choice for those following a vegan or plant-based lifestyle.

5. No seed or vegetable oils: Vegetable oils like coconut or palm oil, or seed oils like soybean and canola, may be used in ice creams as stabilizers or to enhance texture. These oils may be ultra processed and have an imbalance of omega fatty acids, low nutrients, and may even promote unhealthy inflammatory responses. All these factors may be associated with an increased risk of disease.

6. No processed or artificial ingredients: When you make banana ice cream at home, you have control over the ingredients you use. In this recipe there are no additives like artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.  Similarly, there are no heavily processed ingredients that may be high in trans fats and oxidized compounds.

7. Versatile and customizable: Banana ice cream provides a versatile base that you can customize to your liking. You can add simple mix-ins such as nuts, chocolate chips, fresh fruits, or spices. In our recipe, we've given you two delicious protein bite options to choose from!

8. Easy to make: Banana ice cream is pretty simple to prepare. All you need are bananas and a blender or food processor. That's it - easy ice cream in very little time.

🍌🍨 Protein Nice Cream Recipe 🍨🍌

Ingredients

4 frozen bananas 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

1 scoop EA protein powder 

Directions

Blend bananas, vanilla, and protein powder in a high-powered blender until smooth and creamy. Layer into serving cup with your choice of either birthday cake protein bites or cookie dough protein bites. See below!

🎂 Birthday Cake Protein Balls 🎂

Ingredients:⁠

🎂 1/3 cup cashew butter⁠
🎂 1/4 cup maple syrup⁠
🎂 1 tsp vanilla extract⁠
🎂 1 1/2 cups almond flour⁠
🎂 1 scoop Earthy Andy Plant Powered Protein
🎂 1/4 tsp salt⁠
🎂 sprinkles, optional⁠
🎂 water, if necessary ⁠

Directions:⁠

🎂 Stir the cashew butter, maple syrup and vanilla together in a bowl⁠
🎂 Add the almond flour, protein powder, and salt. Stir to combine. If the mixture is too dry, add a tiny bit of water until a dough forms⁠
🎂 Mix in the sprinkles⁠
🎂 Roll into balls, top with more sprinkles, and enjoy!⁠

🍪 Cookie Dough Protein Balls 🍪

Ingredients:

🍪 2 cups oat flour⁠
🍪1/3 cup Earthy Andy Plant Powered Protein
🍪1/2 cup cashew butter, or nut butter of choice⁠
🍪4 tbsp maple syrup⁠
🍪2 tbsp vanilla extract⁠
🍪1/2 cup almond milk, or nut milk of choice⁠
🍪1/4 cup cacao nibs or your favorite chocolate chips⁠

Directions:

Add all the ingredients apart from the chocolate into a large bowl and combine until a dough forms. Fold in the chocolate chips or cacao nibs and roll into bites. Enjoy!

Why Earthy Andy Plant Powered Protein?

In both our protein bites, we used our Plant Powered Protein. Why? We believe that Plant Powered Protein is unlike any other vegan protein. Here's how it's different:

1. It offers a 4-in-1 gut-friendly protein formula, combining vegan protein with fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes which may aid indigestion, bloating, and gut health.
2. It's a vegan protein that actually tastes good with a natural Tahitian Vanilla flavor that will be perfect for your ice cream.
3. It's made from all-natural plant-based sources, specifically North American Yellow Peas, which provide all essential amino acids.
4. It contains chia seeds, which are rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.
5. It does not contain any artificial ingredients, colors, or flavors.
6. With 20g of pea protein, it provides a significant amount of protein while only containing 1g of fruit sugar.
7. The powder may help address potential root causes of indigestion and assist in managing blood sugar and hunger cravings.
8. The main ingredients, yellow pea protein isolate and chia seeds, provide essential amino acids, dietary fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
9. The 18-enzyme blend in the powder aids in the digestion of a variety of foods, such as legumes, milk, soy, cereal grains, meat, and vegetables, relieving occasional indigestion, bloating, and gas.
10. The 11-strain probiotic blend with prebiotics promotes intestinal health, improves stool consistency and regularity, and supports a healthy inflammatory response.