Love Ice-Cream? Try These Alternatives
Just because you're on a diet, you don't need to ban frozen treats altogether. Ice-cream might be off the menu, but there are some fabulous alternatives to stock your freezer with: you might even find a new favorite dessert...
1. Frozen yogurt
Top of the list is frozen yogurt - ice-cream's healthier cousin. It's creamy, cool, delicious and doesn't have that sticky, sickly feel some ice-creams can have. You can buy frozen yogurt at almost any supermarket or ice-cream parlor, and there are some fantastic varieties on the market: my favorite is Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie one. And because it can be easily served in a cone or sundae glass, you won't feel like you're missing out. (If you're trying to get your kids to eat more healthily, try them on frozen yogurt too: they may not even realize it isn't ice-cream...) Like regular yogurt, some frozen yogurts are full-fat and others are low-fat, so check labels.
In 100g of a typical frozen yogurt:
Calories: 170
Fat: 3g
Sugar: 26g
2. Sorbets
Another refreshing treat is sorbet: like frozen yogurt, this is sold almost everywhere that ice-cream is. Don't just stick to lemon; branch out into some other flavors of sorbet ... mango, blackcurrant and raspberry sorbets can be especially vibrant. Although fruit sorbets are the most common, there are other varieties: I'm very fond of chocolate sorbet (though it's harder to find). Be aware that the sugar content of sorbets is high, if you're watching your sugar intake.
In 100g of a typical sorbet:
Calories: 110
Fat: 0g
Sugar: 27g
3. Frozen Fruit Bar
You can also get your fruit in the form of a frozen fruit bar (called ice lolly in the UK), which is made from frozen fruit juice. There are loads of commercially available types, often sold in multi-packs at the supermarket. Many combine stripes of different fruit flavors. If you can wait a few hours, though, why not try making your own? You'll need a set of moulds - available from most department stores - and a box of fruit juice. You can even freeze pieces of fruit into homemade lollies: strawberries work well.
In a typical ice lolly (65ml):
Calories: 60
Fat: 0g
Sugar: 16g
4. Chocolate mousse
My final ice-cream alternative might sound a bit odd: low-fat chocolate mousse. These are sold in small pots by most supermarkets (and several chocolate companies do their own varieties). Although they're meant to be refrigerated, they freeze brilliantly, and if you're a chocoholic like me, provide both the chocolate and the frozen-treat hit that you need...
In a typical chocolate mousse (60g):
Calories: 84
Fat: 2g
Sugar: 13g
Have you got a favorite ice-cream alternative? What's the most unusual sorbet, fruit lolly or frozen yogurt you've tried? Or do you think ice-cream is over-rated as a treat anyway...?
(Image by Abulic Monkey)
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Ice cream is one of my weaknesses, and I always find myself in the same dilemma; should I take one more bite, or not?
ReplyFrozen yogurt is the best alternative for me, because I have a lot of choices and I try new flavors every time I want something sweet and cold.
My favorite flavor so far is Passion fruit.
Great post Ali, thanks!
Hey Lauren, another alternative is to really savour every mouthful of real ice-cream too. When we really savour and enjoy, it's amazing how much less ice-cream we land up eating.
ReplyIce cream has always been a "problem" for me as I cannot keep my portion to 1/2 cup serving. So after much searching for an alternative, I have found something!
ReplyI make a root beer float each evening by whipping 1/3 cup evaporated skim milk powder mixed with 1/3 cup ice water, and a dash of lemon juice. Whip until stiff - about 7-8 minutes. Add splenda and vanilla flavoring to taste and whip a bit more. Spoon into a drinking glass or mug, and stick into the freezer for an hour or two. Eat/drink later with diet root beer soda. It is creamy, sweet, and very satisfying and only 80 calories - no fat!
Another great alternative is freezing berries. Raspberries and blueberries are my favorite. They taste just like sorbet or even candy. Frozen and delicious!
ReplyIce cream is a problem for me, too. So I've had to completely get it out of the house, along with most other snacks. Now I keep semi-sweet chocolate chips around a lot of the time, because they are a lot easier to snack on in small quantities and they are lower-calorie. Even if I want to gorge on them, they are too bitter to eat too much of. If they turned into a problem I'd go to dark chocolate chips.
Over the last two months I'm down 8 pounds and .5 inches on my waist (to 197, versus an ideal weight of around 160 and a goal of 170), mostly because of reduced snacking.
Replyi want some of each!! but coconut frozen fruit bars are my weakness :)
ReplyI love the mousse idea! Sometimes I'll freeze regular yogurt for an hour or so...it ends up being more like ice milk than anything else, but in a pinch it'll satisfy a craving!
ReplyThis makes me wonder if they still make those frozen fruit bars that are full of bits of fruit! They were so good, especially the coconut ones, with lots and lots of shredded coconut. Yum!
ReplyFor me, I'll have frozen bananas or grapes... but if I really want ice cream, it's best to have a small portion of real, full-fat ice cream not one of the less satisfying alternatives.
ReplyIf I need a frozen treat, I'll sometimes mix protein powder with either natural PB and just a bit of water. Sometimes heavy cream. Throw in the freezer for 20 minutes or so, eat with a spoon.
Good protein/fat combos.
ReplyI just eat freeze pops ^.^ 25 calories a pop. All it is is frozen sugarwater.
ReplyIce cream - overrated? Since you put it out there - I'd have to say 'yes'.
Here is why - Nobody ever eats just one serving. While you are dipping it out...you probably are eating a few extra spoonfuls. Then you probably have given yourself 2 - 3 servings in that bowl, not just one.
Then, when you have taken the last bit...and the taste is lingering in your mouth...you are tempted to go and 'just spoon out a little bit more'.
The next thing you know, your ice cream\low or non fat yogurt or sorbet 'treat' has turned into a 500 calorie ice cream parts.
Do yourself a favor if you are seriously trying to lose weight:
Don't buy it...or don't take it out of the freezer.
There are better and healthier alternatives. Frozen berries with low fat cottage cheese or plain low fat regular yogurt (no sugar added).
How about just a simple piece of fruit and a glass of skim milk or some low\non-fat cheese.
Try a protein nutrition bar - maybe even one with some fiber. Better yet - how about a smothie or pre-packaged protein drink that is less than 200 calories.
ReplyIce cream was a huge problem for me when I was living with my parents. I would eat a big bowl of fat free or sugar free ice cream topped with Cool Whip Lite and maraschino cherries...and I wondered why I was putting on a few pounds. The main problem was the serving size...I just couldn't limit myself to 1/2 cup. I usually buy ice cream bars now...most of them are 100 calories or so each and I know exactly how much I'm eating.
Another thing I do is put a fat free yogurt in the freezer (one of the 80 calorie kinds) for a couple of hours until it's kind of stiff. Then I eat that with some berries...it's sort of like frozen yogurt, but a little tangier. Another thing I like to do is make slushies by putting ice cubes, a little water, and one of those Crystal Lite To-Go packs in the blender. I crush it up and pour it into a glass and pour some Fresca in it to give it some fizz. It's really refreshing and has almost no calories.
ReplyIce cream is a weakness of mine too. I purchase the WW mini containers just so I don't have to deal with having 1/2 a gallon of frozen goodness in my freezer. The fruit bars are also great.
Frozen yogurt is also an awesome option. I'll take Mc Donalds soft serve any day. It's small, its not in my freezer (best part) and it's super cheap :)
I'll have to try the chocolate mousse if it is only 84 calories for 60 grams.
Replyfrozen chocolate protein shake with added peanut butter :)
drool
ReplyIce coffee is my big weakness.
ReplyFortunately, I'm able to refuse ice cream. I like to eat it, but it is not something that I crave. But I do like to know healthy alternatives like these. The one frozen treat I can't get enough of is popsicles. I could eat those until I get sick.
ReplySkinny cow ice cream sandwiches and Weight watchers Chocolate chocolate brownie ice cream - as good as the real stuff (Ben and Jerry's)!
Replyhahaahhaaha you all are losers and have much time on you hands. boo you suck
Replythat's great info
ReplyI know you will love this option: Ni Una Dieta Más ice creams.
ReplySugar is completely replaced by a fiber like effect susbstitute Isomalt and whey protein is the option for fat replacement.
Visit: www.NoMoreD.com
Dr Salomon
The other day the kids picked out a flavor of ice cream that was hard to resist -cookie dough with brownie pieces- all my favorite weaknesses in one bowl -I gave it a little try - totally wonderful in a guilty pleasure sort of way.
I'm not an ice cream addict but it's nice to have something cold on a hot day. My solution is to whiz up some frozen mixed berries with a couple of spoonfuls of yogurt in the blender - instant yogurt sorbet, even my kids love this. (cookie dough and brownie pieces notwithstanding)
ReplyI have got no idea how many calories I usually eat from one big cup size of ice-cream or a regular size of frozen yoghurt. Since I want to lose another 15 lbs, I stop eating those types of delicious desserts. Or can I still consume them? Or do I have to do some more exercise if I have them after meal?
ReplyNo u don't have to be so hard on yourself.. just get yourself a reasonable portion. Eat it slowly and enjoy every spoonful. Don't worry too much about the calories. Just make sure you're not over eating. That's all!
ReplyYou missed the best one! Frozen red grapes are my favorite summer treat. I love ice cream, but I actually love these more (I know the skeptics are saying "yeah right" but it's true). The trick is to let them thaw for a few minutes before eating. It's the perfect cold sweet treat that won't leave you with that sugary heavy feeling of ice cream.
ReplyYou can actually make a raw, healthy ice cream very easily...I've tried it and am still working on my favorite flavors, but it's a great alternative.
Take a banana, cut into slices (the smaller the slices, the faster they will freeze)
Lay the slices on a tray
Freeze for about 2-3 hours or longer
Drop frozen slices into a food processor and blend
I add a little water to improve the consistency
At first it will look like little beads, then it will transform into soft serve ice cream consistency
Done!
I add mashed fruit on top. You can also flavor the banana mix if you don't like banana flavoring.
It's fast to prepare (minus the freezing time) and you can eat it without guilt. It's just fruit!
ReplyWhat a cool idea! I wonder if it would work with other fruit (strawberries?) too?
ReplyI'm not sure...I think it's worth a shot, though! You probably just need to consider water content. I blended some fresh blackberries into the banana mix once and it became runnier, more like a blackberry yogurt. I bet it if you process the fruit and then stick it back into the freezer it would work better (or you could put the mix into those popsicle molds and make yourself an "ice cream" popsicle. That might work, too.
Replyi make this all the time! so yummy. i break up a few bananas, put them in a tupperware in the freezer, and then blend them in the food processor with another frozen fruit; usually strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. just add enough water to be able to blend it, and it'll come out like super delicious frozen yogurt. my fav dessert ever!
ReplyIce cream can be very nutritious if it is normal fat but low in sugar. You need the fat to absorb the calcium and Vitamin D. Don't worry - there is no empirical evidence that shows saturated fat causes heart disease.
ReplyBelieve it or not... I don't have a problem with ice cream. I like it, but don't feel the need for it often and have sometimes gone a year without.
So sticking to a half cup serving is fine by me and not a problem. Honestly, the fat in ice cream helps slow the absorption of the sugar, so it may, in moderate portions, be healthier in terms of insulin response than some of the nearly all sugar alternatives mentioned.
That said, I'm working on my weight, so ice cream is not going to be a treat I have too often.
However, if you have a Vita-Mix blender, you can make all manner of really tasty soft serve frozen treats! Think Greek Yogurt with a teaspoon of Carlson lemon fish oil, some strawberry protein powder and frozen strawberries! Hubby LOVES it! Me too!
Or cottage cheese/milk with chocolate protein powder, flax meal and peanut butter and ice. Good stuff!
Your only limit is your imagination... and it takes only a minute to make these!
ReplyHonestly, I don't believe in alternatives like yoghurt or fruit smoothies.. They never give you the same taste as ice cream and after having a yoghurt or smoothie, you will only be left with the feeling of deprivation.. That will lead you to keep craving for the real thing, which is ice-cream. So if i feel like having an ice-cream, I just have a cup and I enjoy it! I don't think about how many calories I'm eating, how much I need to lose or how many miles I got to run. I concentrate only on the cup and that's about it.. So I eat whatever I want to, when I want to and only if I want to.
Replyboo hoo who even writes crap about ice cream anyway
Replygo on myspace or something !
why do you waste your time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:)