On a hot summer day, there’s nothing quite as delicious and refreshing as ice cream in all its variations. But it’s not just for summer; ice cream can make a delightful dessert even in the cold season. But which type should we choose, if we want to watch our figure? Find out which ice cream is lowest in calories!
Ice cream types and nutrition information
Depending on the variety, ice cream contains milk, cream, water, eggs, butter, sugar, and ingredients for specific flavors and colors – such as flavors, nuts, fruits, chocolate, and food coloring. The different labels are important because they provide information about the ingredients. Therefore, it’s worth taking a closer look at the packaging or asking the IC vendor for more details.
- Milk IC with a minimum milk content of 70%.
- Creamy IC contains at least 50% milk.
- Whipped Cream IC: Made from cream with a minimum milk fat content of 18%.
- Regular IC: Must contain at least 10% milk fat.
- Fruit IC: Contains a minimum of 20% fruit, and for citrus fruits, at least 10%.
- Fruit IC with Milk: Must contain at least 8% milk fat and have a distinct fruit flavor.
- Sorbet: Contains a minimum of 25% fruit, and for citrus fruits, at least 15%.
- Water Ice: Fat content below 3%, with a minimum dry matter content of sweetening and/or other flavoring ingredients of 12%.
Ice cream calories and fat
First things first: there are actually significant differences between different types of ice cream. The calorie bombs among ice cream flavors are the ones loaded with whipped cream and cocoa-covered popsicles, packing an average of 17 percent fat content. Following closely are regular ice cream with about 8 percent fat content and milk-based IC with approximately 3 percent fat content. Fat-free options include fruit ice cream and sorbet. But hold on tight, even though they’re fat-free, they still contain a lot of sugar. Here’s the calorie breakdown for these sweet indulgences (per 50 g scoop):
1 scoop of chocolate: about 120 calories
1 scoop of walnut: about 119 calories
1 scoop of stracciatella: about 114 calories
1 scoop of vanilla: about 100 calories
1 scoop of strawberry: about 98 calories
1 scoop of lemon: about 60 calories
The classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla, as well as other milk-based varieties like stracciatella and co., tend to have the most calories.
How many calories does an ice cream cone have?
Ice cream cones come in various shapes and sizes, so their calorie content can vary. According to the USDA, 100 grams of a cake or wafer type cone contains 417 calories. Assuming an empty ice cream cone weighs around 15 grams, it would have approximately 63 calories. The number of scoops consumed alongside the cone likely contributes the majority of the calories.
What about fruit ice cream?
Now, let’s talk about fruity ice cream. Strawberry, lemon, or maybe melon? It is a favorite among many, especially on hot days, as it adds that extra refreshing touch compared to chocolate and vanilla. When it comes to calories, fruity ice cream is quite diet-friendly: a small scoop (75 g) will set you back around 70 to 100 calories.
But wait, sorbets take it even lower than fruity ice cream, especially if no additional sugar has been added. The advantage? Sorbets are usually suitable for those with lactose intolerance. Plus, they’re typically fat-free and bursting with fruity goodness. A portion of lemon sorbet (100g) is only about 75 kcal.
Does frozen yogurt have fewer calories?
Does frozen yogurt have fewer calories, you ask? Frozen yogurt has become another icy specialty that’s hard to resist. However, it often contains quite a bit of added sugar, so it’s only marginally lower in calories compared to regular ice cream. If you then choose cookie or chocolate sprinkles as toppings, your portion can easily reach 150 kcal. That’s why it’s best to opt for fresh fruit as a topping instead.
By the way, you can easily make frozen yogurt at home. Take some low-fat yogurt and mix it with, for example, pureed fruits and a touch of vanilla flavor. Put it in the freezer for an hour, stir it, and enjoy!
How many calories in ice cream stick?
Ice cream on a stick is a popular refreshment at the pool or beach. The number of calories in such a treat depends on its size and composition. A vanilla IC with a chocolate coating can pack more calories due to the chocolate, and depending on the size, it can reach 300 calories. On the other hand, a peach yogurt ice cream will only bring half of that.
Does ice popsicle really have the fewest calories?
Now, let’s address the question: do ice popsicles really have the fewest calories? Children especially love popsicles, and not just because of their colorful appearance! We adults should indulge in them more often too because popsicles are relatively low in calories. They don’t contain any fat, but they do have quite a bit of sugar. So, if you want to save on calories, go for the popsicles that only bring about 90 calories (100g). An orange fruit popsicle (60g) has approximately 50 kcal.
To make your own ice popsicles at home, you can purchase popsicle molds. You can fill them with any fruit juice you like and freeze them. If you want a creamier texture, you can use fruit-flavored buttermilk.
Which type of ice cream is healthiest?
First off, look out for low-fat or fat-free options. These are generally lower in calories and still provide plenty of flavor without all the added saturated fats found in regular full-fat varieties. Additionally, try to find brands with natural ingredients like real fruit purées and organic milk instead of artificial flavors or colors. This will help ensure that your scoop is as healthy as possible!
Another great choice is vegan/dairy free alternatives made from plant milks such as almond milk or coconut milk, which are usually higher in protein than traditional dairy products and often contain fewer processed additives too. Plus, they come with an array of interesting flavors like matcha green tea and dark chocolate cherry – yum!