Is ice cream healthy? A closer look at the facts

Ice cream is a delicious treat that most of us enjoy, but what's the real deal when it comes to ice cream?

Is ice cream healthy? Is there such thing as "good" ice cream? The answer is yes. There are plenty of ways for you to get your fix without feeling guilty about it.

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What is ice cream?

It's a frozen dessert with variety with variety of flavours. (Image via Pexels/Jeshoots)

Ice cream is a sweet, creamy dessert made from milk, sugar and sometimes other ingredients.

It has been popular for hundreds of years but has become even more popular since the widespread use of refrigeration. There are many kinds of ice cream: frozen custard, frozen yogurt and even non-dairy versions made with ingredients like coconut milk.

The most common way to serve ice cream is in a cone or dish (though some people like their ice cream in cups). You can also have it on top of cakes or pies or inside cookies or brownies as filling or frosting.

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Is ice cream healthy with so much sugar?

The sugar content of ice cream varies depending on what type you're having. Soft serve and flavored ice creams tend to have the most sugar per serving, while sorbet and gelato have the lowest.

Frozen yogurt falls somewhere in between: it's higher in fat than hard-packed ice cream (the kind you scoop yourself) but lower in fat than soft serve or flavored varieties.

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How much fat is in ice cream?

Sugar content is high in ice cream. (Image via Pexels/Roman Odintsov)

Ice cream can contain up to 30% fat. That's a lot, but it also means that ice cream is one of the richest foods you can eat.

This high amount of fat makes for a very rich taste and texture, which many people love. However, if you're trying to watch your weight or maintain a healthier diet, ice ceream may not be the best choice for you.

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What are the health benefits of having ice cream?

Is ice cream healthy? Yes, it can be had in moderation.(image via Pexels/Roman)

Ice cream is a good source of calcium and vitamin A. One cup of ice cream contains 30% of daily recommended intake of calcium, which can help keep bones healthy, maintain muscle tone and reduce risk of osteoporosis.

Ice cream also provides vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), an antioxidant that helps protect cell membranes from damage by free radicals or unstable molecules that can cause cancer.

The protein in ice cream helps you feel full, so it's useful as part of a weight loss diet plan. However, if you're trying to lose weight, it's important not to have too much of it because it can slow down metabolism and make it difficult for you to lose weight.

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How can you choose an ice cream with less sugar and fat?

:ok for ice cream healthy version. (Image via pexels / pixabay)

Ice cream is a delicious treat, but it's also loaded with sugar and fat, but how can you choose an ice cream that has less sugar and fat than typical varieties?

• Low-fat ice creams can be made from skim milk or soy milk, which contain fewer calories than whole milk. If you want to cut back on the amount of saturated fat in your diet (which is linked to heart disease), consider choosing low-fat versions of your favorite flavors instead of full-fat ones.
• Sugar substitutes like stevia or Splenda have fewer calories than regular table sugar. They're still sweet enough to satisfy your cravings. You may find these sweeteners in some brands' "light" or "reduced calorie" varieties. Others use natural fruit extracts as their main sweetener instead (which means they won't taste quite like regular ice creams).

Some ice cream healthy brands offer reduced-calorie versions that contain about 100 fewer calories per serving than their regular counterparts and sometimes even less than half as many.

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You can even make your own 'ice cream healthy version' at home. (image via Pexels/Roman)

Is ice cream healthy? The answer is a bit complicated. Ice cream is a delicious treat, but it's best to choose the healthier varieties. The good news is that with so many options out there, it's easy to find an ice cream that fits into your diet.

If you want something rich and healthy without all of those calories or sugar, try making cottage cheese ice cream at home. You can also try a low-calorie frozen yogurt brand to keep things light while still enjoying it every now and then.