Is My Concoction Paleo?

Recently, a reader shared their version of what they called “Paleo Ice Cream” and I thought a critique of it would make for an interesting blog post.  With the reader’s permission, then, following is the recipe for this concoction (and you know what I fan of those I am!)

Paleo Ice Cream

10 egg whites or 4 eggs
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 cup coconut
1 tsp guar gum
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp Xylitol
water

Blend for 3 minutes

Add lots of ice to turn into an amazing vanilla ice cream 

Overall, it’s not too bad.  Given what one might procure if they tried to buy a non dairy, soy-free, junk-free version of ice cream at the store, this is a better option…however…

(You knew there was going to be a ‘but’, didn’t you?)

1) I’d be sure to emphasize that whatever the vanilla protein powder is, it’s only egg with some real vanilla, nothing else.  We always have to be uber diligent at label reading as often, protein powders have all sorts of additives, some of which I have a hard time categorizing as food.

2) I love the coconut- just hoping the reader is using fresh coconut meat, right out of the coconut itself, rather than a processed version.

3) Here it comes- guar gum… the most offensive culprit on this list.  Derived from a bean, and a potent anti nutrient, this product, often used in packaged foods as a stabilizer is to be avoided like the plague by anyone following AutoImmune Paleo in particular, but all of use who follow Paleo are best served to avoid it to as it often causes GI distress on top of the other negative effects of ingesting anti nutrients.

4) Xylitol, not to be confused with the horrible sugar alcohol, sorbitol, which is also used clinically as a laxative, seems to cause less distress than other sugar alcohols, yet I’d still replace it with honey in a case like this where one is making a treat for a special occasion.

I love the creativity in this recipe and encourage all readers to keep that approach with all your Paleo cooking endeavours!