Ice Cream Brain Freeze

Tips for Making Ice Cream a Guilt-Free Treat

Not long ago, the only option when choosing ice cream was “which flavor?” These days, the frozen food section is loaded with so many products you might get frostbite by the time you to choose the one you want! While ice cream is not considered a health food, it is certainly a “must have” during those hot summer days. Below are some great tips that will help you to enjoy this cool summertime treat, guilt-free.

1. Keep it small! No matter the type of ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, or sorbet - all nutrition labels are based on ½ cup. That’s just one scoop -- about the size of two golf balls! So ditch the bowl and try eating your ice cream out of a small cup. Seem too small for you? Top with fresh berries or a nutty whole grain cereal to add some bulk.

2. Stay low in saturated fat. Look for modified versions of your favorites. “Light” versions have 50 percent less fat and 33 percent fewer calories than the original. “Slow Churned”, “Double Churned”, and “Cold Churned” refer to a process called low-temperature extrusion, where milk fat is distributed evenly throughout the product for a rich and creamy texture without extra calories. Many brands even feature a slow-churned frozen yogurt in their product line for even less calories and saturated fat.

3. No-sugar-added. Although these versions cut back on the calories from added sugar, they don’t always cut back on fat as well, making them a major calorie culprit. The no-sugar-added attribute is best when chosen in combination with a low-fat, slow-churned, or light variety of ice cream and/or frozen yogurt. Always read the ingredient list as some no-sugar-added ice cream also contains artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols.

4. Calcium counts. Just because ice cream contains milk, does not mean it’s a good source of calcium and vitamin D. Most ice creams provide between 5 and 10 percent of the recommended daily amount (RDA) of calcium per serving while frozen yogurts supply 10 to 15 percent. Read labels and aim for a product with at least 10 percent the RDA of calcium per serving. Try Turkey Hill frozen yogurts and light ice creams. Most are fortified and supply 15 to 25 percent the RDA for calcium and vitamin D.

Try these options at ShopRite:

Edy’s Slow Churned Yogurt Blends

Edy’s Slow Churned Light

Edy’s Slow Churned Light No Sugar Added Breyers Smooth and Dreamy Light

Turkey Hill Light Recipe Cold Churned Turkey Hill Cold Churned Frozen Yogurt

Breyers Free Double Churn Blue Bunny Fat Free, No Sugar Added

Blue Bunny Reduced Fat, No Sugar Added Turkey Hill No Sugar Added Fat Free

For more tips, information and healthy recipes, visit the health and wellness section of ShopRite.com