Nutrition plays a crucial role during pregnancy, yet many mothers often fall short of getting the key nutrients needed to support both their own health and their baby’s development. At the same time, cravings are a natural part of the journey – but instead of turning to processed, nutrient-poor treats, they can be an opportunity to nourish the body. With the right ingredients, even indulgences like ice cream can be transformed into wholesome, nutrient-dense snacks that satisfy cravings while helping bridge important nutritional gaps.
Athena Connell, a bioenergetic nutritionist specialising in maternal physiology and metabolic beauty, has shared a traditional ice cream recipe packed with essential nutrients that many mothers need during pregnancy but often lack.
In an Instagram video shared on January 2, 2025, the nutritionist explains, “Ice cream made the traditional way is a medicinal food that can help a pregnant mama easily nourish herself and bub. My foolproof ice cream recipe is made with raw cream and milk, is nutrient dense and is a fantastic way to keep fat soluble vitamins, choline and some folate up during pregnancy.”
Check out the recipe below!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of cream
- 1 cup of milk
- 4 egg yolks
- Sweetener of choice
- Frozen wild blueberries
- Squeeze of lemon
Method
- Separating the cream naturally: The key step in Athena’s recipe is allowing raw milk straight from the carton to sit undisturbed in the fridge for about three days, giving the cream time to rise to the top. This natural separation makes it easy to pour off the cream first, followed by the milk underneath.
- Prepare the compote: The next step is to prepare a luscious compote using wild blueberries. Simply simmer a cup of frozen wild blueberries in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, then add one to two tablespoons of sugar along with a squeeze of lemon to balance the sweetness. Once the berries release their juices and the mixture thickens to a glossy, jelly-like consistency – while the fruit softens into chunky pieces without fully breaking down – turn off the heat.
- Add in other ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the blueberry compote with the cream and milk. Add four egg yolks along with a sweetener – Athena uses golden syrup, to taste – and whisk thoroughly until smooth and well combined.
- Whip up the ice cream: For the final step, use an ice cream attachment with your blender to churn the mixture for 20 to 30 minutes, until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency. Your pregnancy-approved, nutrient-dense ice cream is ready to enjoy!
Health benefits
Healthy Fats: The healthy fats found in milk, cream, and egg yolks play a crucial role in supporting foetal brain, nerve, and eye development.
Choline: Choline, found in egg yolks, is an essential nutrient that supports the baby’s brain development and helps prevent certain developmental defects.
Fat-soluble vitamins: Egg yolks, blueberries, and milk also contain a range of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K2, which are essential for healthy bone, organ, and immune system development.
Minerals: Minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, found in these ingredients, support foetal bone development while also contributing to the mother’s overall health.
Enzymes and probiotics: Raw milk contains enzymes and probiotics that can support digestion and promote gut health by helping maintain a healthy microbiome.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
