Protein Ice Cream is Having a Moment This Summer
Food isn’t just about fueling the body and providing it with the nutrients that it needs. It’s also about taste, texture, and flavors that provide comfort, satisfaction, and joy.
Nowadays, both people and companies are seeking ways to balance the health and taste aspects of food. One increasingly popular example is the trend of enriching various foods with extra protein, Forbes reported. This summer’s version of the trend toward protein-enriched foods comes in the sweet and creamy form of high-protein ice creams.
Protein as a Trend
Protein has been trending in the nutrition space for quite some time, with foods like cereal, soda, yogurt, and even Doritos and Pop Tarts available in high-protein varieties. The protein market in the United States reached $114.4 billion in 2024 and is only expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
“Protein is here to stay; it’s not a health trend that will only last a few years. Part of it is the demographic need for protein,” Rania Nasis, founder of ice cream brand Nymbl, told Forbes. “Because of that it’s going to expand the protein category into ice cream. There will be different subcategories, including indulgent ones like ours,” she added.
High-Protein Ice Cream
Protein brand David Protein has witnessed the protein trend up close and personal. When it launched its frozen dessert after months of teasing it at an expo and sharing samples, its inventory sold out in less than half an hour. A David Protein pop-up shop garnered over 2,000 visitors in its inaugural weekend alone as well as more than 10 million social media impressions.
Nymbl is another brand that has debuted protein-packed ice cream varieties. It currently sells vanilla, chocolate, and cookies and cream ice cream flavors made with milk protein concentrate and whey protein isolate. The brand also uses more egg yolks in its French-style recipes, which result in a denser texture and custardy taste.
A “Treat-Yourself” Dessert
Nasis, Nymbl’s founder, was inspired to create high-protein ice cream after studying medicine and working at healthcare startups, where she often focused on healthy habits and nutrition. Her goal was to create a food that is both delicious and good for you.
“Historically, better-for-you has been about very few calories,” said Nasis. “Taste has not been paramount. We’re seeing a shift now where taste is becoming important, and people are saying, ‘I’m not willing to sacrifice taste for a better-for-you option.’”
“We knew we had the best version [of frozen dessert] when people stopped talking about the macros first and started reacting to it like dessert. The goal was always for the nutrition facts to be surprising after the fact, not the reason you eat it,” David Protein CEO Peter Rahal added.
Benefits of High-Protein Ice Cream
Some of these frozen treats can also be lower in fat and sugar than traditional ice cream, making them an alternative for people looking to cut back on either, according to A Healthier Michigan. Dairy-free options are also available, which may allow those who are lactose intolerant or vegan to enjoy the dessert.
However, it’s important to note that high-protein ice cream is still a dessert that should be consumed in moderation. The bulk of one’s dietary protein should come from healthy and less processed sources like lean meat, beans, nuts, or eggs.
For those who enjoy it, high-protein ice cream can be an excellent option for an occasional sweet treat. It’s another tasty reminder that making better choices can still leave plenty of room for enjoyment.
