Waikato scientist developing healthy ice cream

Waikato University student Sean Nixon wants to taste sweet success, but he does not have it licked yet.

The master’s student is working hard to develop a healthier version of ice cream.

It will have a lot less fat, sugar and calories, making it the ideal dessert for athletes, diabetics and people who are obese.

Mr Nixon formed the idea in mid-2009, after coming home from the gym.

He wondered if it would be possible to make an ice cream that was delicious, and good for you.

“Basically, ice cream is good because it tastes good, it’s convenient, and it’s easy, but it’s full of sugar and fat, and having that many calories in that form isn’t very good from a diet point of view,” he said.

So for the last year, he has been working on an alternative as part of his master’s thesis.

The first stage of his research in 2010 was to see if it was possible to alter ice cream.

“The outcome was that it could be, so now I’m carrying it on to perfect it,” he said.

This year, Mr Nixon has conducted extensive research to find ingredients or methods that could be employed to replace the traditional ingredients found in ice cream.

He has made a series of samples that eliminate the high fat and sugar contents, while still trying to maintain the taste and texture that is found in ice cream.

“Once I get closer to getting a good formula, then I will get more scientific and plan the experiments, but at the moment, I am doing a trial-and-error method,” he said.

So far, he has done around 50 batches of healthy ice cream, and is continuing to perfect the formula, with his family, friends and flatmates as his taste testers.

He expects to make at least 50 more batches before creating a series of taste tests in August.

When it is ready, Tuatara Nutritional Technologies – the  company created by Mr Nixon and his friends Nick Gill and Scott Carter  – will approach a variety of ice cream companies to sell the healthy ice cream nationwide.

Mr Nixon hopes that his will happen by the end of the year.

He also has many ideas for future health foods for athletes and consumers, including health supplements, functional foods and other desserts.

And that is a scoop.

Sean Nixon will be at the Fieldays today, at the Waikato University stand, and is happy to answer any questions regarding his ice cream.