If you’re an ice cream lover like me, you probably remember the old song, ‘I scream. You scream. We all scream for ice cream!’ Well, that’s exactly what I did when I learned that Applebee’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae has 1660 calories and 82 grams of fat in one serving! OMG!
There are lots of other scary options out there, too. For example, Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream contains 360 calories and 24 grams of fat in a ½ cup serving. If you ask me, that’s a lot of calories and fat for a little bit of ice cream. Not as scary as the Applebee’s sundae, but still worthy of a scream.
So what’s an ice cream lover to do? Here are 5 tips to keep the health – and fun – in your frozen treats this summer.
1. Order one scoop or a kid-size portion instead of a regular size. When it comes to watching your weight, two (or 3) scoops is not better than one.
2. Choose plain flavors such as vanilla, chocolate or strawberry rather than the fancier ones which typically have more calories and fat.
3. Be wary of the extra calories and fat in ‘add-ins’ like chocolate chips, M&Ms, nuts, peanut butter, and cookie crumbs.
4. Consider light, reduced-fat or fat-free ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, or Italian ice as these generally have less calories and fat than regular ice cream. However don’t assume this to be true; always ask or check the Nutrition Facts label to be sure.
5. Instead of going out, make your own ice cream or sorbet at home. Check out the Yonanas machine http://www.yonanas.com/ that takes frozen fruit and turns it into a healthy treat.
Now, I’d love to hear from you.
Do you think it’s possible to eat a healthy diet, manage your weight and enjoy your favorite summertime treats? How do you do it?
Please share in the comment section below. Your ideas could be very helpful to other readers.
Meanwhile, if you want to lose weight, improve your energy and feel better, I can help you get started. Take my free Self-Assessment at https://njnutritionist.com/freeassessment
Thanks for posting to LinkedIn! I’m a like-minded holistic practitioner, and it’s refreshing to see an R.D. focused on empowering people to ENJOY instead of fear food.
Personally, I LOVE the Yonanas machine. It’s great for diabetics and people who can’t do dairy, as well as those wanting a healthy treat. My favorite thing about it is that it tastes good, as well as having that creamy, smooth, rich ice-cream texture. I recommend it to my clients frequently! (And I get no incentive for doing so – only the knowledge that they can make a healthier decision!)
I agree with you and wrote a similar post. We all have the right to be Independent Eaters who enjoy foods that taste good. We have the freedom to eat what we want knowing that we can stop and save food for later in this era of plenty. Many of us fear eating foods we love, creating feelings of guilt if we indulge or feelings of regret if we skip. Balancing enjoyment with moderation and variety can help you and your family be independent, adventurous, AND healthy eaters. – See more of my post on ice cream without the guilt at: http://momitforward.com/homemade-banana-split-ice-cream-recipe#sthash.GOnIM370.dpuf
Definitely, I’d you want a scoop of ice cream occasionally, have it. Even the peanut butter and chocolate! I think it’s important to have foods you enjoy. It’s important to find healthy choices that you enjoy. It is a marathon, not a race. If you eat healthy 90% of the time, having something once in a while that you wouldn’t normally eat is not going to hurt.
Great insight, Doris. I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for the input.
Most chain restaurant menu items are loaded with too much sugar, salt, and fat. I recommend to my clients, be wary of when going out, split menu items or eat half and take the rest home. I like to stress to clients to eat a diet that is high in fruits and veggies, lean protein and low in processed foods. However, not everyone is going to follow that 100% of the time. Sometimes we like to indulge. I tell clients if you feel once in awhile you need a bowl of ice cream or dessert, have it when you’re out of the house. Don’t buy is gallon of ice cream to bring home. That’s too much of a temptation. Go out and have a small cup of ice cream or a piece of dessert. But make it count, like go to a nice restaurant and treat yourself to a fancy dessert. Enjoy it, and move on. I find clients have an easier grasp on their food issues when you allow them to indulge once in awhile. Or if you’re going to make something at home, I like making ice cream Popsicles with coconut milk and fresh fruit. It’s sweet creamy and satisfies that ice cream craving.
Eat your favorite icecream whenever you feel for it, eat it slowly, and enjoy it until you had enough. I think that the more rules we give ourselves the more absurd our eating habits get. Call it mindful eating or whatever – for me it has always been the way.