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Is ice cream . . . healthy? Here’s what the evidence says

While it can be exciting to see headlines claiming our favorite foods may have unexpected health benefits, it's important to analyze the research. Often, the effects of one food can be exaggerated by research method errors or other factors — such as the participant's diet or lifestyle.

At the moment, we simply don't have enough good quality evidence to suggest that ice cream definitely has any health benefits. But a couple of small portions a week — paired with an otherwise healthy diet and exercise regime — is unlikely to do much harm.

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 Nutrition Science's Most Preposterous Result

Studies show a mysterious health benefit to ice cream. Scientists don’t want to talk about it.

 Should we all be switching to the ice-cream diet? Here’s the scoop on a controversial idea.

Put aside for a moment all that nutritional advice about eating fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Could one key to good health actually be a diet rich in … ice cream?

 These Are the Healthiest Non-Dairy Ice Cream Options, Ranked

With coconut, almond and oat milk bases and natural(ish) sugars, vegan ice cream options seem to come with a wellness stamp of approval, giving us license to eat as many bowls or cones as we want. But like most foods, all non-dairy ice cream options are not created equal—and some are much better than others, both taste and nutrition-wise.

 Which is healthier: ice cream or sorbet?

Is not clear-cut. It depends on what your health goals are. If weight loss, cutting calories and a healthier heart are your aims, it makes sense to choose sorbet. But ice cream is more nutritious, with higher levels of some vitamins and minerals (although a small glass of skimmed milk will give you good amounts of these, minus the fat and sugar). Both are high in free sugars, so eat them only as an occasional treat.

Articles of Interest

Is ice-cream good for you? Scientists divided on claims about health benefits

Suggestions in the US that eating the dessert can be beneficial have been greeted by a ripple of scepticism from British experts.

We asked nutrition experts what they eat for dessert. Here’s their list.

Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and director of the Food Is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, said he eats dessert three or four times a week, which is typically an afternoon cappuccino with dark chocolate that’s 70 percent cocoa or more. “And with nuts, if I can find it,” he added. Mozaffarian is also a big fan of ice cream. In fact, he recommends it to his patients as a relatively healthy dessert option. The reason? Ice cream has protein, healthy fats and a relatively low glycemic index (meaning it’s not likely to cause a big spike in your blood sugar levels).

Advantages & Disadvantages of Ice Cream to Human Health

Ice cream is a high-fat food, since it must contain greater than 10 percent milk fat to be designated ice cream, with some products having as much as 16 percent, according to the University of Guelph. Milk fat is largely cholesterol, a saturated fat.

Can Ice Cream Ever Be Healthy?

We tested ‘light' and low-calorie frozen desserts to see whether a healthier treat can taste like traditional ice cream.

Coconut Milk Ice Cream Just Isn't Worth It, According To Nutritionists

When it comes to ice cream, it's best to just stick to the real deal and enjoy the cow's milk frozen treat the way it's intended. Here's why.

Frozen Yogurt, Gelato or Low-Fat Ice Cream: Which Is Healthiest?

Which frozen dessert is healthiest? It depends on what you call “healthy.” Each option has its benefits and a few pitfalls to look out for.

Ice cream might have surprising health benefits, Harvard research suggests

There is a lot of science involved that the average Joe (such as myself) doesn’t quite understand — but if scientists are claiming ice cream has health benefits, I’m happy to roll with it.

Ice Cream or Nice Cream?

It’s also important to note that not all vegan ice creams have the best ingredients and can be high in saturated fat and sugar.

If You Eat Dairy-Free Ice Cream by the Pint, You May Not Want to Hear This

While there are many reasons people ditch dairy, many do so for the perceived health benefits of avoiding animal-based products. However, not all nondairy frozen desserts are healthier than regular ice cream, and in some cases, the dairy-less option may be worse for your health. Here's the scoop.

Is there such a thing as a healthy ice cream?

Ice cream equals indulgence. Eating ice cream often leads to feelings of guilt. Why? It is sweet and full of sugar and contains a lot of calories. So, naturally eating ice cream will tend to make some people put on weight. Eating it regularly may contribute to weight gain, in the long run. So for many health-conscious people, the dominant thought following a delightful dessert of ice cream is to go for a run or to hit the gym to burn off the extra calories.

The scoop on dairy-free ‘ice creams’

So as with many other foods, there are pros and cons to choosing dairy versus nondairy frozen desserts. Yes, go ahead and count dairy ice cream as a calcium contributor – though don’t use it as a sub for yogurt, and be sure to watch calories and sugars.