Better Ice Cream, Better Farms & Better Health—What a Dessert Brand Can Teach Us

It might seem odd to talk about ice cream in a podcast focused on gut and hormone health, but when you dig deeper, the story of Alec’s Ice Cream intersects with digestion, inflammation, food systems and metabolic wellness in surprising ways. In Episode 4 of the Gut Check Podcast, Alec's Ice Cream Founder Alec Jaffe breaks down how his brand ties indulgence with integrity—and how that connects to health, sustainability and food for the body.

Why Ice Cream and Gut/Hormone Health Are Connected

On the surface, ice cream is a “treat.” But in this conversation we see how the ingredients, sourcing and dairy type matter for your body:

• Alec’s Ice Cream uses A2/A2 milk from regenerative organic dairies. A2 milk is shown to be easier to digest for many people compared to conventional A1/A2 mixes. Bon Appétit+2Garden & Health+2

• Digestive stress (bloating, discomfort, slow gut transit) often comes from dairy intolerance or sub-optimal proteins. Using A2 dairy may reduce that stress and thus lessen downstream hormone disruptions or inflammation.

• When your gut is working better (less irritation, less inflammatory load), your hormones, digestion, energy and metabolism all respond better.

• The idea of “food you enjoy that also supports health systems” is central: not dichotomy of indulgence vs. health, but aligned.

Sustainability, Regenerative Farming & Your Body’s Systems

Alec’s mission stretches beyond flavour—into the food system itself:

• The dairy used is from regenerative organic certified farms. These farms prioritise soil health, biodiversity, pasture-feeding and carbon sequestration. Garden & Health+2Farm To Table Talk+2

• For health, this matters because nutrient density, milk protein quality, and fatty acid profiles are influenced by how animals are fed and managed. Better feed, better milk = potentially better digestion & wellness.

• The brand underscores the idea that where your food comes from matters—not just macros or calories. When you align your food sources with your body’s systems (gut, hormones, detox) you get more than “just taste”.

• The story also highlights the entrepreneurial side: choosing mission over the easiest route, educating consumers, building a premium product rooted in values.

What This Means for You as a Consumer

• Choice matters: When you pick a dairy or treat, ask: What type of milk? Was it pasture-fed? Is it A2 vs A1? What impact might that have on my gut?

• Indulgence doesn’t have to derail wellness: By choosing higher-quality ingredients, you can enjoy treats occasionally without entirely derailing digestion or metabolic load.

• Food system awareness is body-system awareness: The health of the soil, the animals, the farm—all feed into the nutrient quality and gut/hormone response in your body.

• Less binary thinking: Instead of “ice cream = bad for you,” the conversation becomes “what type of ice cream, what ingredients, what sourcing?” That nuance makes a difference.

Action Steps You Can Use Today

• Next time you crave dessert, check the label: Is the milk from A2 dairy? Is the sugar cane-based, organic, regeneratively farmed? If yes, you may reduce your digestive burden.

• If you typically feel bloated or off after dairy-based desserts, try a small portion of A2 dairy or alternative for a week and note changes in digestion, mood, energy.

• Consider one dietary “upgrade” this week: swap a standard dairy freeze for one made with higher-quality ingredients (pasture-fed, organic, minimal additives) and observe your body’s response.

• Reflect on your food-source awareness: Could you spend 5 minutes today investigating where a staple in your fridge comes from or what “regenerative” means in that context?

Final Thought

What struck me most in this conversation is how a seemingly simple product—ice cream—can become a lever for better digestion, better metabolic health and better system-wide alignment. When you choose food that supports your gut and hormones, you’re not just optimizing one day—you’re supporting your body over years.

📺 Watch the full episode here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S49TIh-R2Ks&feature=youtu.be