Ice cream is a delicious and refreshing treat, especially during the hot summer months. Ice cream is made from milk, cream, sugar and other ingredients that are frozen and blended into a creamy, rich dessert. Various flavorings such as vanilla or cocoa, fruits, and spices are often added to ice cream, as well as food coloring and stabilizers.
We all know ice cream is delicious, but can it be healthy? We asked dietitians to share their recommendations for the healthiest ice creams and frozen dessert alternatives. "At its core, ice cream is a treat, and I don’t think we should try to morph it into something it wasn’t meant to be," , a registered dietitian-nutritionist, tells TODAY.com.
Traditional ice cream is made with whole milk and heavy cream. It's typically high in calories and saturated fat, and depending on how it's sweetened, also high in sugar, says Natalie Rizzo, registered dietitian and nutrition editor for TODAY.com.
The high fat content is what gives ice cream its signature creamy texture. In fact, in the United States, ice cream must contain a minimum of 10% milk fat by weight to be considered "ice cream," per the . Real ice cream can also deliver some nutrients, such as calcium, potassium and vitamin D, says Largeman-Roth.
Fresh fruit or nuts added to ice cream may provide added vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. Ice cream may not be a health food, but when eaten in moderation, ice cream can be a part of a healthy diet, the experts note. “I think enjoying.