David's Protein Ice Cream: Are We Missing the Bigger Picture?

David's Protein Ice Cream sold out almost immediately.

With up to 25 grams of protein per pint, low sugar, and a social media frenzy behind it, it's easy to see why. But much like David's Protein Bars, we think the conversation is focused on the wrong thing.

We're living in an era where people are obsessed with hitting protein targets and optimizing macros. In the process, many are overlooking something equally important, if not more important: ingredient quality. A food doesn't automatically become healthy just because it's high in protein.

A Closer Look at the Ingredients

Let's start with David's Vanilla Ice Cream:

Ingredients: Protein system (water, whey protein isolate), structure system (allulose, glycerin, locust bean gum, guar gum), fat system (modified plant fat [EPG]), flavor system (natural and artificial flavor, salt, sucralose, vanilla bean).

The Cookie Dough flavor isn't much different:

Ingredients: Water, whey protein isolate, milk protein isolate, allulose, soluble corn fiber, glycerin, oat flour, locust bean gum, cornstarch, xanthan gum, guar gum, soy lecithin, modified plant fat (EPG), sucralose, natural and artificial flavors, stevia extract, monk fruit, potassium sorbate, and more.

When we evaluate foods at The Lanby, we ask a simple question:

Would you find these ingredients in a home kitchen?

For David's Ice Cream, the answer is largely no.

What Concerns Us

Artificial Sweeteners

David's Ice Cream contains sucralose, an artificial sweetener commonly used to reduce calories while maintaining sweetness.

While research is ongoing, some studies have raised concerns about the potential impact of artificial sweeteners on the gut microbiome and metabolic health. At minimum, we'd rather see foods sweetened with recognizable ingredients than laboratory-created substitutes.

Modified Plant Fat (EPG)

One of the most heavily marketed ingredients in the product is EPG (esterified propoxylated glycerol), a modified fat designed to mimic the texture of fat while contributing fewer calories.

While approved for use, it is a highly processed ingredient that exists primarily to manipulate nutrition facts rather than improve food quality.

Artificial Flavors and Stabilizers

The ingredient list also relies heavily on gums, flavoring agents, and processing aids to create the texture and taste consumers expect from traditional ice cream.

These ingredients aren't necessarily harmful, but they move the product further away from real food and closer to food engineering.

The Bigger Problem: Macro Myopia

Protein is important.

But protein isn't the only thing that matters.

A product can be high in protein and still be highly processed. It can have impressive macros while being made from ingredients most people can't identify.

The goal shouldn't be finding ways to cram more protein into every food we eat. The goal should be choosing foods made with ingredients we recognize, trust, and enjoy.

Sometimes that means eating real ice cream.

Ice Creams Our Registered Dietitians Actually Recommend

If you're going to enjoy ice cream, we'd rather see you choose brands made with high-quality ingredients than highly engineered products designed to hit a macro target.

Straus Family Creamery

Made with organic milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks, and real vanilla bean. Simple ingredients, organic dairy, and no unnecessary fillers or artificial additives.

Ice Cream for Bears

A refreshingly simple ingredient list built around grass-fed dairy, egg yolks, and honey. Minimal ingredients and a focus on whole-food nutrition.

Alec's Ice Cream

Made with regenerative dairy and real food ingredients. We appreciate the brand's commitment to sourcing and ingredient transparency.

Cosmic Bliss

Offers both grass-fed dairy and plant-based options made with organic ingredients and without artificial additives.

Frönen

A dairy-free option made with a short list of recognizable ingredients and no refined sugar or unnecessary additives.

Dream Pops

Plant-based frozen treats made from real food ingredients rather than artificial sweeteners and processed fat substitutes.

Final Thoughts

David's Protein Ice Cream is another example of a growing trend in the wellness space: prioritizing macros over food quality.

Yes, it's high in protein.

But it's also built around protein isolates, artificial sweeteners, modified fats, flavoring systems, and stabilizers.

At The Lanby, we believe health is about more than numbers on a nutrition label.

When given the choice between a highly processed, high-protein ice cream and a scoop made from real milk, cream, eggs, and sugar, we'll choose the real food every time.