Summer Screams for Ice Cream (in Nutrition & Health)

With the excitement of the Ice Cream Crawl tomorrow I thought it would be a good idea to ask my nutritionist about how healthy my favorite frozen treat really is. Her intern, Lauren, put together some great information about how to stay slender and indulge in the creamy stuff. Check it out and see you thursday!

-Mary

Summer Screams for Ice Cream

Lauren Janicki, West Chester University Dietetic Intern

Summer is a season for weekends at the beach, barbeques with family and a chance to finally dive into a refreshing pool with friends. But what do these hot, fun summer days really leave us wanting? Ice cream! However, that tasty treat packs on enough extra calories to keep us on the treadmill 45 minutes a day, seven days a week from May to August. Wondering just how many extra calories this popular summer snack packs on? Here’s a closer look at some menu items of the favorite ice cream hot spots.

Although those little dots may be small, the amount of calories in Dippin’ Dots ice cream is not so tiny. In half a cup (3 oz) of vanilla, chocolate, mint chocolate chip and Tropical Tye Die there are 170 calories, 10 grams of fat and seven grams of saturated fat. In classic favorites, like chocolate chip cookie dough and cookies ‘n cream, there are up to 213 calories, 11 grams of fat and seven grams of saturated fat. It would take 56 minutes of walking, 23 minutes of jogging or 31 minutes of cycling just to burn off those extra calories. However, Dippin’ Dots does offer a lower calorie pick. Strawberry Cheesecake Frozen Yogurt and Rainbow Flavored Ice are 100 calories or less for a half a cup and also contain 0 grams of fat per serving. If Dippin’ Dots is not the dessert of choice, you can always “be cool, [and] eat at Rita’s.”

With a catchy jingle and around-the-corner convenience, Rita’s is a local favorite that has us venturing into town for a treat. Just be careful, because it is no better than Dippin’ Dots in terms of calorie and fat content, and portion size. In a regular size (12 oz) Italian Ice, there are 263 calories and 0 grams of fat. A regular (10 oz) Gelati with vanilla custard has 366 calories, 13 grams of fat and nine grams of saturated fat. A regular (8.5 oz) Custard has a total of 385 calories, 21 grams of fat and a whopping 14 grams of saturated fat. It would take 103 minutes of walking or 32 minutes of swimming just to burn off the calories in that tasty treat. But what is summer without a little bit of ice cream?

The key to controlling summer ice cream cravings is to make smarter choices and eat in moderation. Instead of a trip to Rita’s for a 366 calorie Gelati, consider an alternative, like Breyers Double Churned Extra Creamy, No Sugar Added, Vanilla ice cream topped with your favorite fresh fruit. This will save about 280 calories and an extra hour on the treadmill. How about making a banana popsicle by mixing bananas with skim milk and freezing them for a creamy after-dinner treat? Simple alternatives like these drastically reduce the amount of calories and saturated fat without a whole lot of taste difference.

If these lower-calorie solutions just don’t cut it, then having Rita’s or Dippin’ Dots will not pack on too many extra pounds if you keep in mind moderation and, most importantly, portion size. So, next time you’re walking on the boardwalk and feeling the rumble in the tummy for an ice-cold treat, remember what’s in the freezer that could keep you looking sleeker!

About the Author

Margaret, our nutrition expert, currently presides at ACAC Fitness & Wellness Center and in her spare time teaches food science at West Chester U.

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