Pick the healthy scoop

Ice creama frozen dessert containing flavoured cream,milk products,sugar,artificial colours and stabilisers is a high-calorie,high-fat and high-sugar food.

Ice creama frozen dessert containing flavoured cream,milk products,sugar,artificial colours and stabilisers is a high-calorie,high-fat and high-sugar food. The usual composition of a 100-ml one-cup ice cream is 10-15 grams of fat,15 grams of sugar and about four grams of protein,providing about 200 kilocalories though the numbers may vary for different brands and countries. The modified versions promise being low-sugar,sugar-free,low-fat or fat-free,containing natural flavourings with fresh fruits,probiotics and now even lots of calcium,especially for kids. Heres a lowdown on whether these new-age ice creams measure up to what they claim to be.

Fat-free ice creams: They may be low on fat,but their calorie content might be same or probably higher due to their high sugar content.
Sugar-free ice creams: They can be quite deceptive if sugar is substituted by fructose or high fructose corn syrup which contains the same amount of calories as sugar. Excessive intake of fructose also worsens insulin resistance which can cause obesity,diabetes and cardio vascular diseases.
The new range of sugar-free ice creams may use a combination of artificial alternative sweeteners including fructo-oligoscahrides and sucralose which are non-calorie. The calorie and carbohydrate content is lower than that of conventional products but the addition of maltodextrin adds to the carbohydrate content.

Probiotic ice creams: The friendly bacteria,or probiotics,promote immunity,help lower triglycerides and bad cholesterol,improve digestion and enhance mineral and vitamin absorption. Some of their good sources include fermented dairy products like yoghurt,buttermilk and ice creams. Probiotic bacteria can be grown to high numbers in an ice cream mix and remain viable during storage unlike in many commercially prepared yoghurts,in which they are killed. However,if the sugar content of the product is too high,this benefit gets diluted.

Calcium-enriched ice creams: These provide more calcium per serving compared to regular ones. Inadequate intake of calcium is common among children. Considering they love ice creams and require abundance of calcium to build strong bones,this is a good option provided sugar and fat are controlled. The current calcium-enriched ones do promise low fat and low sugar too. But ice creams cannot substitute milk.

Home-made ice creams: Ice creams and traditional frozen desserts like kulfis made at home can be made to be healthy with natural fruits,less fat and less sugar. The Indian kulfi,which is frozen thickened milk and nuts and has no artificial flavours and stabilisers,can give any ice cream a run for its popularity. The commercially prepared ones though may add other ingredients including khoa.
Ice creams can sure combine indulgence,fun and health if modified in their fat,sugar and carbohydrate content. A treat which most adults and children love alike can be used as a vehicle to deliver extra nutrients and health benefits. But they are not a substitute for a healthy diet including milk,vegetables,fruits,pulses and whole grains and must remain in the category of indulgence.